After putting up a commanding display in it’s last away match, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos suffered a 3-1 defeat in the hands of Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna in Match Day 37 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja, Kogi State.
The first four minutes of the match saw both teams taking the game to each other with precision and great display before the referee conjured a spot kick to the host in the 5th minute when Lukman Muhammed was adjudged to have been brought down by Oladele Oshobe. Solomon Owello sent the ball past the reach of Abayomi Folarin to give the homers the lead.
The Olukoya boys continued the game and created some chances. Ifeanyi Ifeanyi picked out Sikiru Olatunbosun with a good pass but the latter’s attempt on goal was thwarted by defender, Adebayo Abiodun. MFM FC made a good run with Alashe Sheriff muscling his way into Tornadoes’ box his half volley missed the target.
Tornadoes won another penalty in the 18th minute of proceedings when Ifeanyi Okoye chested the ball down inches away from the visitors box but the center referee pointed to the spot for the second penalty. Owello increased the tally for the Minna-based team from the spot. The first half ended with the home side maintaining a 2-0 lead.
The second 45 minutes produced two goals for both teams but it was the home team that benefited the more from the goals. Gabriel Wassa netted the third goal for the Ikon Allah Boys when he blasted in a thunderous shot after MFM FC’s goalkeeper had parried Babawo’s cross to his path.
MFM FC had a penalty appeal in the 55th minute when Nwanze hacked down Olatunbosun after the latter had sprinted into Tornadoes’ box and he was about to release a canon. Six minutes later, Austine Ogunye missed what could have been a goal for the Lagos outfit after he was gifted a fine pass by Sikiru.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu of MFM FC made the first change of the game when he brought in Stephen Odey for Olatunbosun. The substitute made quick impact as he dribbled past his maker but his brilliant shot was punched to safety by the host safe hands.
Odey again initiated a move from open play in the 74th minute after Ogunye connected his fine pass but the he opted for a dummy to Ifeanyi but Nwaze cleared his attempt on goal to safety.
Minutes after the fantastic move by MFM FC players, Stephen finally netted for the away team when he smashed the ball into the net in an emphatic fashion to give the visitors a consolation. Ilechukwu’s men poured forward in their numbers for another goal but the hosts soaked the pressure from the Olukoya Boys to claim a 3-1 win.
The Lagos-based team dropped to 16th position on the Nigerian top flight table with 42 points from 37 NPFL matches.
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