Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos forward, Newman Musa admits an herculean task awaits the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) newcomers in their Match Day 36 clash against Enyimba International Football Club of Aba. The NPFL reigning Champions will host the Lagos-based team in one of this weekend’s fixtures at the […]
via MFM Has Got a Huge Task Against Enyimba On Sunday – Musa Newman — newfanzoneblog
It was a tensed atmosphere at the Agege stadium, as NPFL newboys MFM hosted Sunshine Stars of Akure with both teams needing all three points after losing their last games.
MFM looked like the more dangerous side in the opening minutes of the game and it was no surprise they got the first goal through former Sunshine stars player Musa Newman in the 25th minute.
Sunshine responded well as Samad Quadri converted Dimgba’s cross to level the score before the half-time break.
The second half started with the home side dictating the pace of play with their intricate passing as they looked to break the Owena waves defence.
Dele Olorundare came in for Okiki Afolabi in the second half as the Samuel Unuanel side tried to get the three maximum points from the game. There were chances for both team to score the second goal but the goalkeepers were at the top of their game.
The home side passing game soon paid off late into the game as Stephen Odey scored the second goal for MFM in what proved to be the winning goal in the encounter. Sunshine tried to see if they could salvage anything from the game but the goal wasn’t forthcoming and frustration soon set in as their captain Abe Sunday was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
MFM assistant coach Ali Suleiman Obinna said after the game that it was one of their best performances so far in the league, he also added that before the game he told his boys that it was “3 maximum points or nothing”.
On the other hand Sunshine Stars Head coach Samuel Unuanel was not happy as he described the defeat as a “painful” one, Unuanel said the plan was to come pick up the three points available but he would have settled for settled for a draw but for the late winner by MFM”s Odey. The Akure side are yet to win a game this season in the NPFL.
This victory would surely give MFM the neededboost after their Match day 3 loss to Shooting stars in Ibadan over the weekend, and ahead of the Lagos derby away to fellow newcomers Ikorodu United on Matchday 5 of the Premier league season.
MFM XI: Folarin, Stanley, Oriyomi, Austin, Monsuru, Ifeanyi, Brossa, Emmanuel, Sikiru, Nnamdi, Newman.
Sunshine XI: Ariyo, Abe, Mine, Odunlami, Oladuntoye, Aremu, Ojo, Dimgba, Olulayo, Okiki, Quadri.
Other Matchday 4 Results:
Warri Wolves 0-0 Enugu Rangers
Giwa FC 2-1 Rivers United
Ifeanyi Ubah 3-1 Shooting Stars
Lobi Stars 3-1 El-Kanemi Warriors
Akwa United 3-1 Heartland
Abia Warriors 0-0 Kano Pillars
Wikki Tourists 3-0 Plateau United
Niger Tornadoes 2-0 Nassarawa United
Ademola Adejuwon
Dolphins’ new boy, Godwin Obinze could hide his excitement after Wednesday’s 1-0 win in Port Harcourt against Sunshine Stars.
Dolphins labored all game long and finally got their breakthrough in the 55th minute when full back, Jonathan Zikiye curled a free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
“I am happy with this win because I see my football career as starting with Dolphins,” the former Yobo Academy player said.
“I have had three games so far, a draw, a loss and this win so I cannot hide my excitement.
“In fact I feel like taking off my shirt screaming and running away,” Obinze exclaimed.
But Godbless Asamoah got the first clear cut chance to put Dolphins up as early as the 16th minute when he rose highest to head a cross from Chigozie Ihunda but missed target by inches.
At the half hour mark, Oghogho Oduokpe was freed by an Isiaka Olawale pass but his shot sailed wide off the mark.
It was not all about Dolphins in the first half as the visitors had a chance to open scores in the 38th minute when a seemingly harmless was spilled by Sunday Rotimi but Musa Newman blasted the rebound wide off the mark.
In the last ten minutes of the game it was all about Sunshine Stars but a mixture of profligacy, clumsy attacking and luck ensured that the score line remained 1-0.
Sunshine Stars coach, Kennedy Boboye said after the game that his side came to Port Harcourt to get a win or draw but were unlucky.
“Dolphins did well, but we came here for a win or draw. We missed some chances but that’s football,” Boboye said.
Twenty two call-ups have so far reported to the Flying Eagles training camp in Kaduna, officials have disclosed.
The players include FC Porto striker Jacob Njoku, Musa Newman from Sunshine Stars, Prince Izu Omego, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdullahi Alfa, Ifeanyi Nweke, Tony Edjomariegwe and Mustapha Abdullahi.
Others are Sulaiman Abdullahi, Ifeanyi Matthew, Chisom Eze and Zaharadeen Bello
This training camp is for players who are based locally as another screening exercise will be conducted for overseas pros early in the New Year, according to coach Manu Garba.
The Nigeria U20s are preparing for the 2015 African Youth Championship slated for Senegal from March 8.
The top four semi-finalists at the AYC will represent Africa at the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.
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