NPFL: MFM sting Nasarawa United
By Femi Atolagbe
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Nasarawa United lost 0-1 to MFM FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday thirteen tie decided at the Agege Stadium Lagos.
MFM FC’s captain, Akani Elijah, scored the only goal of the evening in the 52nd minute after releasing a fierce shot from outside the box.
In a game mostly dominated by the visitors, the quartet of Adamu Hassan, Ikenna Offor, Haggai Katoh and Chinedu Ohanachom all came closest to scoring, but got denied by the goalkeeper, Folarin Abayomi.
Before heading to the break, Chinedu Ohanachom got his goal ruled out by the linesman after he was adjudged to be in offside position.
Despite the result, United remains in 6th position with twenty points while MFM moves to 9th with seventeen points.
Nasarawa United will host Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi coming Sunday in Lafia, a game which is dubbed the “North-Central derby”.
In his postmatch interview, Nasarawa United coach,Bala Nikyu said “the game has been played ,lost and won, and that’s it!
“Any game you lose, you wouldn’t say you did well, even if you dominated possession. It’s all about three points.
“There was an ill-luck on our side. MFM didn’t outplay us.
“From the look of things, we have to make our next home game count.”
MFM coach, Olalekan Gabriel said “I am so happy. Kudos to my boys, we all did it.
“Technically, I told my boys during the break that this is like a cup final and we have nothing to lose than to just win the game, and I’m happy that they listened to me.”