Odey Fires MFM FC Back To Winning Ways

Stephen Odey’s 34th minute goal fired Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos to winning ways after five games winless streaks on Friday night in match day 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) tie against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

The Olukoya Boys gave a very good account of themselves in front of over 5,000 spectators at the Agege Stadium as they recorded their first clean sheet of the season with a 1-0 win over the Bauchi-based club courtesy of a clinical finish from teenage striker, Stephen Odey.

The visitors got the game underway but couldn’t hold on to the ball. Odey who was all over the Tourists defence created space for himself but his right-footed shot went inches wide. MFM FC dictated the game with good composure on the ball with mercurial midfielder, Onuwa Chukwuka, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and hard working Shola Brossa in command in the middle of the park.

Coach Abdul Maikaba’s men only attempt on goal came in the 28 minute when Idris Guda fired a shot from 20 metres but MFM FC goalkeeper, Egbe Ospino made a brilliant save.

The host mounted ceaseless pressure on the visitors defence which resulted in over five free kicks to their advantage in the first half but goalkeeper Nwabulu made series of finger tip saves to deny MFM FC their second goal.

The first half ended with coach Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men maintaining a one goal lead.

The homers began the second half with the first kick of the ball and continued their dominance. They held on to the ball for three minutes before they were disposed by the Tourists.

MFM FC’s defence led by stand-in Captain, Opara Austine and Obanor Erhun prevented Godwin Obaje from equalising for the away team in the 48th minute of the match.

Onuwa picked out Olatunbosun in the 51st minute with a sumptuous pass but Wikki goalkeeper, Nwabulu tipped his shot away for a corner kick.The resultant well-taken corner kick was saved by the goalkeeper.

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Coach Ilechukwu switched his teams formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 when he substituted energetic striker, Newman Musa for Monday Shinshinma in the 79th minute, he also replaced Odey with an experienced defensive midfielder in Irumekhai Paul five minutes after the first substitution. He then completed his substitution by taking out Onuwa Chukwuka for defender, Monsuru Bashiru who seem to have been given the role of shielding the backline, playing in an unusual position deep in the midfield.

Class winger, Sikiru Olatunbosun who was a toast of many at the Stadium put up a Man-Of The-Match performance for the hosts, he tormented Wikki’s defence with his runs and dribbles; his blistering performance earned him the MOTM award.

The crucial win has taken MFM FC to fourth position on the 20-team NPFL table with 19 points from 12 league matches while Wikki Tourists still occupy the seventh spot with 16 points.