Ikorodu United, 10-man MFM battle to a stalemate in Lagos derby News

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Ikorodu United, 10-man MFM battle to a stalemate in Lagos derby

By Adeyinka Akintunde, Lagos on March 7, 2016

Ikorodu United Football Club were on Sunday evening held to a 0-0 draw by Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club at the Onikan Stadium. This was the first Lagos derby in the Nigerian Premier Football League in 18 years, and it had the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, in attendance.

MFM began the game immediately seizing the ball from the hosts, who took the first pass and started brightly. Sikiru Olatunbosun got offside as early as the second minute, even though the fans disapproved of the referee’s decision. Musa Newman also had a great display in six minutes, but was not successful.

At 22 minutes, Ikorodu United picked up with Agbane Dandy trying a shot, but a great save from MFM's goalkeeper, Abayomi Folarin denied him. Goalkeeper Adamu Azeez of Ikorodu United also came to the rescue for his side, as he saved Musa Newman’s shot on 28 minutes, to keep his side in the game.

It was a noisy stadium in the first half, as fans of both sides cheering their teams with music and trumpets. But it was more of the visitors, as Ikorodu United were underplayed for most of the first half. However, in 47 minutes, MFM’s Monsuru Bashiru got a red card (after a second yellow card) for wasting time in taking a free-kick.

The second half began with a higher tempo. The visitors launched another attack as the referee blew as offside. At 50 minutes, MFM was still in full possession of the game, showing no numerical disadvantage. Goalkeeper Abayomi Adamu was down on 53 minutes, to the displeasure of the fans, accusing him of time wastage. Newman also had a chance in 57 minutes, but it went inches wide. MFM had more ball possessions, but failed to score.

In 64 minutes, Moses Ebiye of Ikorodu United took a shot, but it went wide. Edjebare Lucky also had a beautiful take two minutes later, forcing MFM’s Folarin to a saved. In 81 minutes, Morenish had the best chance of the match, for Ikorodu United but lost it.

RESULTS

Rivers Utd 1-0 Nasarawa Utd

Sunshine Stars 1-1 FC Ifeanyiubah

El-Kanemi 2-0 Enyimba

Heartland 1-0 Lobi

Pillars 3-2 Akwa Utd

Plateau Utd 1-1 Abia Warriors

Wolves 1-0 Tornadoes

Shooting Stars 2-1 Giwa FC

Ikorodu Utd 0-0 MFM

Rangers 1-0 Wikki

•Photo shows Ikorodu United.