NPFL: ALLEN VOWS MFM WON’T STOP FIGHTING AFTER WIN AGAINST ENYIMBA
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By Samuel Adepoju Tobi
It was a dominant second-half performance inspired by Dayo Alabi and second-half substitute Nduka David that helped MFM FC to a 2-1 victory over Enyimba in the Matchday 34 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
At the end, an elated MFM FC coach, Festus Allen said that his side will continue to push for survival.
“We played against an experienced side and we were careful putting all our foot into just attacking, we needed to balance our setup. After a difficult first half, we switched our formation from 4-1-2-3 to 4-3-3 and that gave us the edge to break their defense and get the goals”, Allen remarked in his post match interview with www.npfl.ng
“We have to keep this momentum and we have to continue fighting, we have been fighting as a team and we will keep the focus and survive the drop,” Allen said.
The two sides came into the game with contrasting ambitions. Bottom of the log MFM came into the game to keep their hopes of surviving relegation alive, while Enyimba was pushing to finish with a continental ticket.
The first half of the encounter ended goalless with few chances created by both sides. It was very physical half that witnessed tough midfield contests with MFM trio, Barry Legbara, Tunde Azeez, and Elijah Akanni squaring against Enyimba’s Farouk Mohammed, Fatai Abdullahi, and Austin Oladapo in the midfield battle.
The game came alive in the second half and it was MFM that started the game on a positive foot. Alabi’s 20-yard freekick was saved by Enyimba goalkeeper, Sabirou Bassa-Djeri two minutes into the half, and Elijah’s shot inside the visitors box went inches wide in the 50th minute.
Enyimba would take a shock lead in the 52nd minute when Victor Mboama finished brilliantly inside the hosts box off Christian Ekong’s pass. It was Mboama’s 16th League goal of the season equalling the tally of Rivers United forward, Chinedu Akuneto.
MFM began their comeback in the 64th minute when the centre referee penalized Enyimba defender Chigozie Obasi for a poor foul on Micah Ojodomo and awarded a penalty to the hosts. Alabi stepped up to level the scores for his side. Nduka David came off the bench to secure the win for MFM in the 75th minute, David had picked up Alabi flick to finish brilliantly for his side’s winner.
Enyimba coach Finidi George attributed the loss to poor finishing and defending, saying he is hopeful the Elephants can still finish with a continental ticket.
“We didn’t take our chances and we defended poorly. Defensively, we didn’t get it right today, we could have done better. It’s unfortunate after a good first half and also taking the lead early in the second half. We have four matches left and we will fight till the end,” Finidi said to the www.npfl.ng.
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