The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MFM FC

  • Okoye delighted to emerge K-PET League goal king with 41 goals

    Okoye delighted to emerge K-PET League goal king with 41 goals

    YENICAMI Ağdelen Kulubu prolific goal poacher, John Okoye Bosco is delighted to emerge as the all-time leading scorer with 41 goals in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus League to help his team emerge champions of the 2016/17 K-PET League season.

    The former Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM FC) forward who was on 37 goals before the last league match last weekend, wrapped up the season scoring four mind blowing goals away from home in a 3-6 victory over against 11th placed Baf Ülkü Yurdu, thus setting a new goal record in the league.

    With the 41 league goals scored, Okoye has set a record which may take ages to break in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

    Okoye, who scored six goals in seven games for MFM to help the Olukoya Boys gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League in 2015, had earlier in the season became the first person in the history of the 61 year old league to score five goals in a game in a 9-0 demolition of Lefke.

    “I feel so happy winning the title in my first season here. It is a great achievement and record for me with my team

    “Scoring 41 league goals in my first season with my club is an amazing achievement for a first timer. It has never happened before in the league, it’s the highest number of goals scored by an individual in a season,” Okoye told SportingLife.

  • MFM win Lagos FA Cup

    MFM win Lagos FA Cup

    MFM FC on Sunday became the champions of Lagos FA Cup after they defeated Spartan FC by 3-1 at the Agege Township Stadium.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Olukoya boys successfully defended the FA Cup they won last year.

    Chukwuma Onuwa scored the first goal for the champions on the 11th minute.

    Spartan Fc responded in the 24th minute with an equaliser.

    After the two teams resumed from the first half break, MFM’s efforts were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot by captain Stanley Okorom in the 70 minutes.

    Then MFM striker Sikiru Olatunbosun scored in the 83rd minute, t to put the game out of contention for their rivals.

    MFM coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu said he was happy his team won the cup back to back.

    He hope the team will do better than last year, in the national campaign for the FA Cup.

    “Its good we are champions but we will like to surpass our last year’s campaign in the FA Cup. That should be the target now,” he said

  • How MFM FC won Lagos FA Cup back to back

    History has been made. And MFM FC’s name as be inscribed in the record book as champion again. This came as MFM FC on Sunday became the champions of Lagos FA Cup.

    The Olukoya boys bravely defeated Spartan FC by 3-1 at the Agege Township Stadium at the end of the 90 minutes encounter to defended the FA Cup they won last year.

    It was not long in the start of the game exactly 11th into the first half of the game Chukwuma Onuwa hitted the back of the net before Spartan Fc responded in the 24th minute with an equalizer. And the score line remian still the end of the half inspite of various shot at goals attempts by both sides.

    Twenty minutes into the second half of the games there was no goal but MFM’s efforts were rewarded with in the 70th minutes as captain Stanley Okorom converted a spot kick.

    To eventuall put the game out of contention for their opponent, MFM striker Sikiru Olatunbosun brilliantly converted a hrough pass from he right flank to score in the 83rd minute.

    MFM coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu said he was happy his team won the cup back to back.

    He hope the team will do better than last year, in the national campaign for the FA Cup.

    “Its good we are champions but we will like to surpass our last year’s campaign in the FA Cup. That should be the target now,” he said

  • Age Cheating: MFM reactS to Danish club claims against Stephen Odey

    Age Cheating: MFM reactS to Danish club claims against Stephen Odey

    MFM FC have maintained the alleged age falsification by striker Stephen Odey is a mere ploy by Danish club Midtjylland to get back at the NPFL club.

    “We still believe the report suggesting that Midtylland have asked Stephen Odey to leave is a rumour because they have not communicated us”, MFM spokesman Adewale Quadry told scorenigeria.com.ng.

    “We also believe that the alleged age falsification levelled against Odey could be part of their ploy to get back at us.

    “But truth is that MFM as a club have not been communicated and in a few days we’ll respond to the issue”.

    He claimed that the Danish club requested for Odey to come over on a two-day facility tour, apparently to see the environment he would be getting into if and when the transfer deal goes through.

    “Unfortunately, when Odey arrived, they asked him to play some friendly games for them which was not part of our earlier understanding with them”, Quadry said.

    “On the strength of that, we asked them to allow the play return since the two-day facility tour was over.

    “We also threatened to drag them to FIFA if they failed to comply because we did not discuss trials or friendly games with them for Odey.

    “So, I believe the latest report suggesting they have asked Odey to leave, citing different ages on his birth certificate and international passport could be a ploy to get back at us since we already knew their antics”, the MFM spokesman said.

  • Transfer Saga: Odey was tricked to Denmark — MFM FC

    Transfer Saga: Odey was tricked to Denmark — MFM FC

    Lagos-based MFM FC ace striker, Stephen Odey, currently enmeshed in a transfer saga in Denmark, was tricked into that country, the club’s Media Officer, Olawale Quadri said on Friday.

    Quadri told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos said that the player claimed that he was only invited for a facility tour with FC Midtjylland, Denmark until another move was introduced to him.

    NAN reports that MFM management had declared the 19-year-old Odey Absent Without Leave (AWOL) after the player was missing in the team’s camp.

    Qudari said that immaturity on the side of Odey made him to accept to travel to Denmark without seeking proper clearance and permission from the club.

    “What happened to Odey is a sign of immaturity. It was a mistake by the player. It is not possible for a player to leave without the permission of the club.

    “Since it has happened this way and he has realised that he committed an error, we cannot deny him; he is one of our outstanding players, we will seek an in house settlement of the issue.

    “When Odey comes back from his supposed trials, the management will decide if there will be any punitive measure against him or not.

    “We will not like this issue to be overblown by the media because Odey is still young and such bad publicity will not be good for his image,’’ he said.

    Quadri said that Odey had apologised upon realising his error and he was due to be back in the country soon.

    “When Odey was contacted on the phone, he was apologetic about his mistake and also said that communication breakdown was responsible for not informing the management before departing for Denmark.

    “He was remorseful about what happened and says he could have contacted the management, but that is his own side of the story.  He claimed he was not proud of what happened.

    “I believe when he come back he will tender an apology to MFM and the country. He is a registered player with MFM presently and on his way back to Nigeria.

    “Although the management was not carried along at the initial stage but when we contacted him he said he went for a facility tour,’’ he said.

     

  • Expectations for the week

    Expectations for the week

    The Nigerian polity has continued to get heated up by displays from players in the political “industry”.  Various occurrences across the country have made tongues roll and the controversial large amount found in a private residence in Ikoyi is still making headlines across the country.

    Just last week, the presidency announced the immediate suspension of Secretary to the Federal Government, David Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency boss, Amb. Ayo Oke. Their positions are still pending depending on the report of the investigative panel headed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

    Lawal was suspended for his alleged involvement in a contract given to an organization where he was signatory to the account; the bad thing was that the contract was not properly executed. Many Nigerians have expressed happiness in this action from the President especially as it’s believed that Lawal is a top member of the “cabal”.

    Earlier, the Senate had fingered him to have been involved in the deal, but a letter from the government and his refusal to appear before the Senate when invited seemed to have ended the case.

    Tosin Adeshina, a political analyst said: “The suspension is a good development as the actions of the former SGF has cast a blithe on the Federal Government. Even though it’s coming late, I believe it’s not too late to right the wrongs of the past.

    “The former SGF abused his office by awarding contract to his personal company which is against the Code of Conduct for public officers and he had paid a high price for it.

    “The lesson for political office holders is that public office must not be used for personal enrichment but a privilege to serve.

    “The Government is an authority for the people not an authority over them. As a result, government officials must stay away from acts that will bring disrepute to their integrity.

    “I will also like to advise President Buhari to take actions when necessary as foot dragging on important decisions is a sign of weakness on the President in particular and the Presidency in general”.

    On the other hand, Oke got his suspension for the controversy that surrounded the organization he headed that involved the found 13 billion naira in a private residence believed to be owned by a member of his family for “covert” operations.

    Now, the questions on the lips of many are – can there be any COVERT operation not known to the Commander-in-Chief?  Did Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and Femi Fani Kayode LIE to the general  public by getting the name of Rotimi Ameachi involved in this controversy? Is Amb. Oke standing in to cover up for some powerful politicians as claimed? Well, in some days’ time, the investigative panel should certainly have answers to this question and many others currently popping up in the minds of millions of Nigerians.

    One of the worst things to have happened to the Nigerian Professional Football League this season was announced last week, it came like a blast. Our league was no longer going to be shown on television again. Supersport, the station that used to ensure that at least one league match was beamed live to the world every weekend made it public that the League Management Company led by Shehu Dikko had broken some part of the “deal” and so they were going to stop the weekly live broadcast. For about two weeks now, the league had stopped being on television but until the clarification, it was not too clear what the problem was.

    Earlier in the season, Sikiru Olatunbosun of Mfm Fc had scored a screamer that made him win the award for CNN goal of the week. Infact, many have started tipping the goal to win the FIFA Puskas award early next year. But with this development, it’s unfortunate that people will no longer have access to seeing games again except they visit stadiums.  Obviously, a whole lot of development still needs to be brought into the Nigerian league to make it profitable and marketable to the world.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

  • Results of match day 19 fixtures in 2016/2017 NPFL

    Results of match day 19 fixtures in 2016/2017 NPFL

    Following are the results of eight of the 10 Match Day 19 fixtures of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), played on Wednesday:

    FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 Shooting Stars FC

    Abia Warriors FC 2-0 Wikki Tourists FC

    Plateau United FC 3-0 Katsina United FC

    Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Kano Pillars FC

    Enyimba International FC 1-0 Remo Stars FC

    Lobi Stars FC 3-1 Sunshine Stars FC

    El-Kanemi Warriors FC 1-0 ABS FC

    Akwa United FC 2-0 MFM FC

  • Expectations For The Week

    Expectations For The Week

    Last week was one that was surrounded with fresh controversy from the polity; the discovery of millions of dollars in a private residence in Ikoyi, the exchange of words between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Governor El-Rufai, and the “battle” between Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido and Governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara state.

    Obviously, the last may not have been heard from these cases as this new week may still go on with more. The trending topic in the country is the 43 million dollars alongside other currencies found in an Ikoyi home last week.

    Pictures of the found money circulated the public space like wild fire; the questions started coming in – who owns the money? Who owns the apartment wherein the bogus amount was found?

    Shortly after the information spree, the National Intelligence Agency came forward laying claim to the money, later on, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state said the money belongs to his State. Names of certain individuals (Senator Solomon Adeola, Rotimi Ameachi, Mo Abudu – although these personalities have denied any connection to the found money) were rumored to be behind the money but still, no name has been officially pronounced as owner of the Ikoyi residence.

    Many questions are still begging for answers, who owns the money? Is the NIA trying to cover up for certain persons? Is finding the owner of an apartment in a highbrow part of Lagos a difficult task to carry out?  Who is actually telling the truth? Hopefully, Nigerians will get to know the real situation soon.

    After an open exchange of words, Hon. Yakubu and Gov. El-Rufai last week publicly displayed their pay slips and gave analysis of how security votes allocated to Kaduna state was being utilized respectively. The open “attack” by the duo has gotten many Nigerians happy, are you asking why? Oh, it’s because many consider this a victory for the common man.

    Many are of the opinion that many more of such “argument” will further deepen the roots of our democracy, expose the excesses of political leaders and make the people understand the act of governance better. Will the National Assembly go ahead to reveal their budget as demanded by El-Rufai? It remains to be seen.

    After Gov. Yari declared that God was “punishing” his people with meningitis type C, Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido replied by saying God had nothing to do with the disease that has claimed the lives of about 500 people, and that the governor should look for a solution to the plight of his citizen.

    The Yari/Sanusi controversy is still ongoing. After attacking and counter attacking each other’s comment recently, both eminent individuals are in the news again. Sanusi’s call for northern leaders to further educate their citizens has met Yari’s – “Practice what you preach” comment. Indeed, the Northern leaders need to improve on the educational sector in their environment to enable the youths have the opportunity of a glorious future.

    On Wednesday and Thursday this week, the Nigerian Professional Football League will be alive again as matches will be played across various stadia in the country. Table toppers, Mfm Fc go away to Akwa United, Plateau United host Katsina United, champions Rangers go away to Gombe United alongside other scintillating fixtures.

    Also, the second leg matches of the UEFA Champions League quarter final will be decided on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Will Barcelona be able to pull through with another comeback after three nil defeat in Turin? It remains to be seen.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

     

     

  • Expectations For The Week

    Expectations For The Week

    As we enter into another week, one wonders if the 2017 budget will be worked on by the Senate. Last week, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said on the floor of the Senate that various committees are yet to submit their reports. With eight months left in the year, there is a high possibility that the budget will not be properly implemented – this is risky for the economic health of the country .

    The battle for supremacy between the Senate and the Presidency seems like a never-ending saga, however, a peace committee has been set up which is to be headed by Vice – President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The committee which has current ministers who were ex-senators as members will seek to settle the sudden “supremacy battle” currently hindering the smooth running of governance between the executive and legislative arms of the country.

    Recently, the Senate decided not to screen the 27 nominees for Resident Electoral Commission (REC) sent by the President until their recommendation of replacing Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu is adhered to. Magu, was rejected by the Senate for the second time despite re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari. Will the President’s proposed closed-door meeting with Saraki end the macabre dance in the senate?

    Also, the current suspension of Senator Ali Ndume for six months by the senate is said to be generating heat as some “stakeholders” are trying to settle the current case between the Borno Senator and the “super powers” in the red chamber. Ndume was suspended  for bringing the name of the Senate into disrepute after calling for the investigation of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye. Melaye was investigated after a certain online publication said he didn’t graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, a claim the Vice Chancellor of the institution has refuted. Saraki’s issue had to do with the importation of an SUV without paying customs duties; however, the ex-Governor has said the Senate (and not himself) was responsible for the importation.

    The current health crisis ravaging the country in recent times needs to be STOPPED. Meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord causes several neausating and incommodious effects on it victim – skin rashes, seizures, vomiting, fever, bodily temperature, increased sensitivity to light, confusion, tightness in the neck muscles etc. It has claimed over three hundred lives and there seems not to be a solution to it. The minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health under his purview would nip the outbreak of meningitis ravaging some states in the bud. He said his ministry is “in constant discussion with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, E- health Africa and other international health agencies of supplies  of vaccines and injections”. With so many deaths already, the minister has to know that the time to act is NOW.

    As the Big Brother Naija enters into the final week, the excitement across the country from fans of the entertaining show is gradually getting to the peak. Just yesterday, Bally got evicted after getting nominated for eviction alongside Tboss, DebbieRise and Marvis. As it stands, Efe remains the only male standing in the house with four women (Tboss, DebbieRise, Bisola and Marvis) to contend with…A VERY LUCKY MAN! With over 11 million votes announced by show host Ebuka Uchendu for just yesterday’s eviction, the show organizers will be smiling to the bank after it ends at the weekend. After another week of performing various tasks, the housemate with the highest number of votes gotten by the viewers WINS in six days’ time.

    The excitement in the Nigerian Professional Football League has continued to draw more attention after the unpredictable nature of the league continued yesterday. Before round 18 games, MFM fc was sitting atop the log but after a 4-0 drubbing at Lafia and victories for both El-Knemi and Plateau United, the former climbs to second while the latter now lead the league and Mfm are presently third.  Without doubt, El-Kanemi’s next weekend encounter with Mfm fc at the Agege Stadium will be the match to watch; both teams have the same points (30 points) and are only separated by goal difference.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

  • MFM FC frown at alcohol allegation

    MFM FC frown at alcohol allegation

    The management of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC have debunked reports suggesting that the supporters of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side were caught drinking alcohol at the Agege Stadium on Wednesday March 29, as their team beat Abia Warriors FC 2-1.

    MFM FC supporters were reportedly taking local gin popularly called ‘jedi’ during the Matchday 16 encounter against Abia Warriors but the management of the team led by the Director of Football, Emmanuel Adeyemi, faulted the report stating that the supporters of the team are people of good reputation who will never bring the name of the club to disrepute as a result of any unholy act.

    Reacting to the story Adeyemi said: “I want to state here categorically that the story was not accurate because our supporters are very modest they don’t indulge in any unholy act.

    “Every fan of the club have the proper knowledge of what the team stand for, they know that drinking of alcohol or smoking is against our belief and there has never been any case of such in all our games.

    “I will like to use this opportunity to tell our fans to disregard the story and I want to appreciate them for their support toward the team. They have been very supportive in all our matches and we will continue to work hard and we will not disappoint them,” he concluded.

    The Lagos-based team are currently sitting on top of the NPFL table with 30 points from 16 league matches. They will be up against Nasarawa United FC this weekend in Lafia for Matchday 17 encounter.