The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MFM

  • MFM were lucky, says Amapakabo

    MFM were lucky, says Amapakabo

    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.”

  • Imama Amapakabo: MFM’s home advantage not special

    Imama Amapakabo: MFM’s home advantage not special

    Enugu Rangers head coach Imama  Amapakabo has said there is nothing special playing newly promoted side MFM FC at their fortress, the Agege Stadium in Lagos.

    The Flying Antelopes will be the guests of the Lagos outfit in Wednesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match-day 10 clash.

    Amapakabo said MFM FC have shown invincibility at their ground in Agege but that the character is there to be shaken.

    “There is nothing special playing MFM FC at their home ground. Of course, MFM FC have managed to make the ground something of a fortress against visiting teams so far in the season. However, there is always a first time and records are there to be broken by somebody at a particular time.

    “MFM FC have continuity and togetherness, but I hope we will be able to react positively to the situation whether the match is played at Agege, Onikan or the National Stadium.

    “We are a target right now so we came to Lagos well prepared to challenge for the points at stake. If we don’t win the clash, we can always go back and work hard to return to the summit.

    “I have heard of the intimidating fan base of MFM FC at Agege — that’s purely psychological as the match will always be played by 11 players on each side and no circumstance will warrant the fans coming onto the pitch to assist their favourite team.

    “So we are 100 per cent ready to contest for the points and I strongly believe we will not return home empty-handed,” said the former Enyimba and Sharks coach to supersport.com.

  • MFM Aiyeyemi to miss Rangers

    MFM Aiyeyemi to miss Rangers

    MFM FC rounded off their preparation for the NPFL Week 10 tie against Enugu Rangers with the conviction that they can stop the Flying Antelopes at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos today.

    Most of the first team players trained without pain with the exception of James Aiyeyemi who may not taste action today as he is yet to fully recover from the injury he sustained against Plateau United in Jos in their last away game, which ended 1-1.

    In his likely absence, Abayomi Folarin and Ospino Egbe are both tipped to hold forth until he gets back to full match fitness.

    The club media officer, Olawale Quadry told SportingLife that MFM players have concluded the arrangement ahead of today’s clash and that they are targeting a home win to send more warning signal to other premier league clubs that they are not in the elite division to make up the number.

    MFM are sixth on the log with 15 points from nine matches ahead of today’s tie.

  • Rangers: MFM won’t have it easy

    Rangers: MFM won’t have it easy

    Enugu Rangers have assured that MFM FC won’t have it easy in their next NPFL Week 10 clash on Wednesday in Lagos as they plan to surprise the premier league surprise package at the end of the contest next week.

    The Flying Antelopes defeated Enyimba 2-1 in Enugu to hold on to the leadership of the NPFL after nine matches but their endurance would be tested on Wednesday when MFM FC host them in a winner-takes-all tie at the Agege Township Stadium.

    The Media Officer of the club, Foster Chime told SportingLife that they will hit Lagos as soon as they are done with the final of the Enugu Federation Cup so as to prepare adequately for the clash with MFM.

    Meanwhile, Rangers are through to the final of the 2016 Enugu Federation Cup after they beat Nsukka United FC 2-0 in the semi-final and they will face Diskvit FC who beat Inter FC on penalties in the second semi-final on Sunday.

  • MFM go top of Nigeria league

    MFM go top of Nigeria league

    NPFL new boys, MFM FC are now top of the table after they defeated Rivers United 2-1 in a Week 2 game on Wednesday. The Lagos club have made it two wins from two games to gather six points.

    They shocked Nasarawa United 2-1 in their opening game of the new season on Sunday in Makurdi.

    ‘The Olukoya Boys’ got the curtain raiser in the 18th minute when former Nigeria U-20 star, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi scored from the spot after Chidi Akuneto was brought down in the box. Sikiru Olatunbosun doubled the lead with a strike in the 24th minute.

    Fredrick Obomate pulled a goal back for Rivers United in the 57th minute to take the game to 2-1. Olatunbosun was denied another goal in the 40th minute by Sunday Rotimi, who pulled off a big  save.

    Rivers United were then denied an equaliser in the 72nd minute when Chigozie Ihunda hit the goal post. In the 80th minute, MFM goalkeeper, James Aiyeyemi made a double save to deny Rivers United.

  • MFM back on top of Nigeria league

    MFM back on top of Nigeria league

    Church club, MFM have reclaimed top spot in the Nigeria league after they won 3-1 against El Kanemi and closest rivals Enugu Rangers and Kano Pillars could only manage draws on their travels.

    MFM now have 13 points, while Rangers, who were forced to a 2-2 draw by hosts Abia Warriors, and Pillars, who also drew 2-2 at Lobi Stars, are on 11 points each.

    Julius Emiloju and Emmanuel Onuwa made sure debutants MFM secured maximum three points after Japhet Daniel scored a consolation goal for El Kanemi Warriors.

    MFM were dominant in the game and deserved the victory.

    Rangers Bobby Clement broke the deadlock at Abia Warriors in the 22nd minute.

    Michael Ulocha equalised for the hosts in the 39th minute from the penalty spot after Effiong Ndifreke was fouled inside the box.

    Rangers lead was then restored by Chisom Egbuchulam, who powered home a free kick to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

    Wydad Casablanca-bound Chikatara drew level for the hosts in the 65th minute.

    Chikatara missed a glorious chance to secure three points for Abia Warriors in the 82nd minute after a good effort from Bolaji Sakin.

    In Lokoja, Niger Tornadoes beat Rivers United in a five-goal thriller.

    Ismaila Gata, Gabriel Wassa and Jackson Daniel were the goal scorers for the hosts Tornadoes, while Daniel Israel and Guy Kuemian scored for Rivers.

  • Odita predicts Lobi, MFM will drop

    Odita predicts Lobi, MFM will drop

    Lobi Stars and newly promoted MFM FC lead the rest of the pack in the Nigeria Professional Football League after four matches but Enugu Rangers skipper, Okey Odita says the traditional teams will soon reclaim their positions at the top of the log.

    MFM FC are enjoying a fairy tale run in their debut season; dropping points only against Shooting Stars in a 3-0 defeat. The Lagos-based club responded with a 2-1 win against Sunshine Stars but Odita isn’t convinced with the credentials of the early risers.

    Defending champions, Enyimba are 16th on the table but have two games outstanding because of their Champions League campaign and Odita is backing them to climb steadily up the table.

  • MFM declare war against 3SC

    MFM declare war against 3SC

    Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM) Football Club (FC) coach Alli Suleman Obinna has told SportingLife that his side can spring a surprise when they confront Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in the match day three league game on Saturday at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan.

    MFM defeated Rivers United 2-1 on Wednesday at the Agege Stadium to move to the top of the summit with six points, having secured back-to-back victories.

    Obinna admitted to SportingLife that he has not seen 3SC games this season but he insisted that his young lads are not losing focus and will maintain their perfect record against Oluyole Warriors in Ibadan.

    “God has been faithful to our team since the beginning of the season. This is our second victories and we thank God for that. We have been improving game after game and I hope we will at our best for against 3SC in Ibadan,” Obinna told SportingLife.

    “MFM vs 3SC clash is like a derby game and it is going to be a war in Ibadan on Saturday. I have not watched 3SC matches this season but I know we do well when we meet this weekend. 3SC is a big team when you are talking about Nigerian league but I know MFM can push a surprise in Ibadan. We have young team and the unity is among the players and officials of the team.”

    Meanwhile, 3SC General Manager, Rasheed Balogun was among the spectators at the Agege Stadium during Wednesday’s MFM versus Rivers United game.

    Balogun watched the first half encounter before he disappeared and he did not return for the second half.

    Balogun used the occasion to study MFM style of play ahead of this weekend clash against his team in Ibadan.

    3SC’s match day two league game against Enyimba was postponed due to People’s Elephants continental engagement.

  • Lagos gets another bite through Ikorodu United, MFM

    With anticipation building for the kick off of 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this weekend, two newly promoted clubs from Lagos State Ikorodu United FC and MFM FC are prepared to pull their weight among the best clubs in the country.

    Npfl.ng reports that Ikorodu United will have its first taste of Premier League football this season when they host Abia Warriors at Onikan Stadium on Sunday while MFM FC is away to Nasarawa United same day.

    The clubs came from different backgrounds before gaining promotion to Nigeria’s elite league at the end of last season but they have brought back top league games and excitement to Lagos, the Center of Excellence, where football fanatics have missed premier league actions for over 22 years. Now the fans are chanting, ‘the League has come home’.

    Ikorodu United FC, which was founded in December 2014 under the chairmanship of Adewunmi Ogunsanya, is among the few clubs that are privately-owned in Nigeria.

    Belgian coach, Maurice Cooreman tutored Ikorodu United to secure promotion to the top flight after just a season in the Nigeria National League (NNL) but the tactician has since departed for Akwa United, leaving ex-international Edema Benson to carry on as Chief Coach.

    In terms of playing staff, npfl.ng gathered that Ikorodu United management has confidently retained the bulk of the squad from last season including striker Francis Shedrack whose decisive goal in their last game against Ekiti United earned them a promotion ticket.

    Youngsters such as defender Kabiru from 36 Lion FC, Ebiye who was signed from Bethel FC and the others offer further encouragement that the Ikorodu side seems well placed to survive in the Premier League.

    Club boss Ogunsanya, while speaking on his club’s preparedness for the season, said Ikorodu United “is ready to surprise other participants of the professional football league”.

    As part of plans to ensure the club performs well, the management has introduced some innovations to rebrand club football in the country. Already, GOtv Nigeria has joined as sponsor for the new season and the club is doing a lot in mechandizing and venue packaging as well.

    “Top on our management’s plans is to woo back the Lagos spectators to come out and watch our games. We want to create an avenue where the stadium will be filled by 12 noon for a match scheduled for 4.00 pm.”

    Coach Edema Benson is not the boastful type but the former international believes Ikorodu United will be a force to reckon with among the NPFL teams this season, considering their traditional style of keeping the ball, passing accuracy and scoring stunning goals.

  • MFM will shock Nasarawa -Enakhena

    MFM will shock Nasarawa -Enakhena

    MFM FC of Lagos Coordinator, Godwin Enakhena has assured that the club are gunning for an away win when they make their Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) bow this weekend against Nasarawa United at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.

    He said the Lagosians would get to see the best of his team when they host Dolphins next weekend at the Agege Stadium in their maiden premier league home tie.

    He revealed that the club would storm Makurdi on Thursday and have set to shock the home team, the Lafia side who are also playing on a neutral ground with renovation work yet to be completed on the Lafia Stadium.

    Enakhena revealed that the key to MFM’s togetherness and fluidity was the keeping together of most of the players that secured the premier league ticket for the club and that with 99 per cent of them still around they won’t have a problem with blending with another.

    MFM were promoted to the premier league at the end of last season after valiant battle in the lower league and they and Ikorodu United FC have brought back premier league matches to Lagos what has been missing since the demise of Stationery Stores and Julius Berger from the top-flight.