Tag: MFM

Sunshine Stars midfielder,  Oghene Elijah is expecting MFM to come out with guns blazing when they clash in Akure on Sunday, following the defeat of the Olukoya Boys at home to Shooting Stars last weekend.

“We had a friendly match against Akure City FC on Tuesday and we defeated them 2-1. It’s a test match basically to knock the team into shape ahead of our weekend match with MFM FC. We have kept a detailed tab on the league and we know that MFM FC haven’t won a match in their last three,” Elijah told Goal.

“They will come all-out against us because they lost their last match at home and they’ll do everything possible to see if they can get a point here but considering our current form, I’m confident that Sunshine Stars will secure the maximum points.”

The Owena Waves weren’t in action in NPFL match day 23 as opponents Enyimba FC were in action in the CAF Champions League.

However, Sunshine Stars kept their fitness levels up, as they defeated Akure City in a practice match on Tuesday, with Alaba Adeniyi and Mbonu Micheal scoring the goals.

Elijah, who played a part in the friendly, informed Goal that the Akure-based outfit are well prepared to host MFM FC at the weekend.

The game will take place at the Akure Township Stadium by 4pm on Sunday.

MFM FC of Lagos has been fined N2m and ordered to play three games behind closed doors following the crowd incidence that occurred during their Match Day 23 fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) at the Agege Stadium last Sunday. The club was also ordered to identify and report the supporters who committed the act to relevant security agencies for prosecution within seven days failure of which it stands to be fined N25, 000 for each day until the culprits are apprehended and charged to court.

The League Management Company (LMC) also in a separate letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Referees Appointment Committee of the NFF requested that Referee Alaba Abiodun from Ogun State be withdrawn from further officiating of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches pending investigations into his handling of the match.

These are the decisions reached by the LMC after reviewing evidence from the Match Commissioner and Referee’s report and video and photo materials. Following the findings, the LMC issued a Summary Jurisdiction notice which charged MFM for breach of Rules B13.18 and C1.

The notice signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar read, “You are in breach of Rule B13.18 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Sunday, 19th June 2016, during your Match Day 23 fixture: MFM FC vs. Shooting Stars FC, your supporters threw objects towards and encroached on to the field of play.

“You are in breach of Rule C1, punishable by virtue of Rule B15.16, of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Sunday, 19th June 2016, during your Match Day 23 fixture: MFM FC vs. Shooting Stars FC, your supporters conducted themselves in a manner capable of bringing the game to disrepute, including general unruly behaviour, holding match officials hostage and preventing them from exiting the field of play and the stadium immediately after the match”

For breach of Rule B13.18, the club was fined N1, 000, 000 for the throwing of objects and encroachment on the field of play and for breach of Rule C1, another fine of N1, 000, 000 for acts capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

Furthermore, the LMC further ruled that MFM shall play their next three home matches behind closed doors but said “the execution of the last shall be suspended subject to good conduct of your supporters for the remainder of the season”.

In addition, MFM FC is required, within seven days, to identify and ensure the apprehension and prosecution by the relevant security agencies of the persons who led the unruly acts failure of which a fine of N25,000 per day shall accrue, until such time the culprits are apprehended and charged to court.

MFM, however, has 48 hours to accept the decisions or elect to be dealt with by a Commission and must communicate in writing, its acceptance or decision to appear before a Commission.

The Summary Jurisdiction further read that “failure to comply with this requirement within the time limit will constitute a breach of the League Rules in respect of which you will be liable to be dealt with under the provisions of Section C”.

The club was reminded that should a decision to appear before a Commission be found frivolous, it may be liable to such additional sanction as may be deemed fit in the circumstances.

The LMC has since communicated the decisions to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Disciplinary Committee of the NFF.

MFM have reinforced their squad with the signing of attacking midfielder, Femi Oladejo on a free transfer.

The management of the Olukoya Boys have signed the experienced player with a view to use him in their fight for a continental slot in the business end of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

This is the second stint of the former Eko United playmaker at the club.

A source at MFM FC confirmed to Goal that the attacking midfielder has joined the NPFL side.

“He has signed. We have finalised his move to our club,” the club insider told Goal.

MFM FC will be at home at the Agege Stadium for their game against Shooting Stars on Sunday.

After the end of the first stanza of the NPFL, MFM FC’s midfield maestro Emmanuel Onuwa has stated that the team is not surprised at what they have been able to achieve after 19 games.

In a chat with footballlive.ng, he dedicated all they achieved to God, further stating that the team expects a tougher second stanza; the concluding 19 games of the League, but still remains confident in the ability of the team to overcome.

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football club of Lagos returned to training on Tuesday morning after their 3-0 win over Akwa United Footbll Club in match day 14 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as they prepare for this weekend’s game against Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, venue was the Agege Township Stadium.

The training session saw the first and second team trained together in readiness for the away trip to Makurdi as they look forward to claiming the maximum three points at stake in the encounter.

The Olukoya Boys will travel to Makurdi today for Sunday’s NPFL game at the Aper Aku Stadium.

MFM FC claimed their first top-level victory against Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia the last time they played at the same Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Benue State in match day 1 of the ongoing NPFL season.

Enugu Rangers International coach, Imama Amapakabo was an unhappy man after his side drew1-1 with MFM FC in a Week 10 game played at the Agege Stadium in Lagos on Wednesday.

Obinna Nwobodo’s individual effort gave the visitors the lead in the 36th minute before Stephen Odey struck back in the 68th minute to ensure both teams shared the available points.

Speaking after the encounter, Amapakabo blamed loss of concentration on the part of his team which led to MFM’s equalizer.

“A coach will plan to come and play to win, but when the players come to the pitch, they act differently from what we planned, that can also create a problem. We knew they will come out strong. From our scouting report, we knew what to expect.  We planned to play to contain them and play on the counter and we were able to get a goal from it. But unfortunately along the line my players got carried away and one or two players didn’t function properly. And when it happens like that in a game, it’s left for the other eight players to function properly, but unfortunately we conceded a goal,” he said.

“I am not satisfied with the result because I came here for three points.  Kudos to the MFM. Before the game, I told my players that we are coming to play against a team, most of the clubs in Nigeria have individual players,  but MFM is a team. We knew we are coming to play a team and Kudos to them, they brought something to the table. It is a good advert for Nigerian football.”