NPFL champions Rangers suffer third loss, crash 1-2 to MFM in Lagos News

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NPFL champions Rangers suffer third loss, crash 1-2 to MFM in Lagos

By Daily Sports on February 25, 2017

High-flying MFM FC continued their impressive start to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 2-1 win over champions Enugu Rangers at the Agege Stadium in Lagos on Friday.

Sikiru Olatunbosun got the noses of MFM FC in front in the first half before Stephen Odey got their second on the night.

Bobby Clement then pulled one back for Rangers to give them what looked like a lifeline.

Head coach of the champions, Imama Amapakabo, made three changes to the team that scraped to a 2-1 win over Lobi Stars in midweek.

Goalkeeper Itodo Akor, Charles Henlong and Godwin Aguda replaces injured Nana Bonsu, Christian Madu and Daniel Etor respectively.

The interesting team news before the game was MFM FC head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu naming a 16-year-old attacking midfielder Akanni Elijah on the bench.

The opening minutes was a combination of physical play and at a game played at frenetic pace.

On 10 minutes Bobby Clement was slipped through by Obinna Nwobodo and the former's shot was blocked by Monsuru Bashiru.

Four minutes later, the champions produced a fine passing play that involved Clement, Aguda and Nwobodo, who could only slice his attempt wide.

At the other end, it was Rangers who had to desperately defend, and that they did when Chibuzor Madu and Camara Azeez blocked successive shots from Stephen Odey and Chukwuka Onuwa.

Halfway through the first 45 minutes, Odey played Olatunbosun through but he fired his attempt off target under pressure from Madu.

A minute past the half hour, Olatunbosun conjured up a contender for goal of the season. After intricate play by Onuwa and Odey fell to Olatunbosun, he scooped the ball over Matthew Etim and then volleyed from the edge of the box into the net leaving Rangers goalkeeper Akor with no chance.

After that goal, Rangers captain Etim simply let his head drop and just could not keep up with the momentum of the game.

MFM continued to press in the restart and on 60 minutes Odey was gifted the ball just near Rangers box and he made no mistake to double his team's lead and also take his tally to six goals in seven matches this season.

Amapakabo then sent on Chiamaka Madu for Etim and Fortune Omoniwari for Obinna Nwobodo having earlier brought on Daniel Etor for Chinedu Udeagha who had an unimpressive outing.

Nine minutes to time, Clement then scored a brilliant goal by curling the ball into the top corner with MFM substitute goalkeeper Abayomi Folarin who came on for Ospino Egbe at the start of the second half.

Clement’s strike proved too little, too late in the end as MFM took the full points. The Lagos club move into second place with 16 points, four less than league leaders Plateau United.

© supersport.com

•Photo shows Rangers Head Coach Imama Amapakabo.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 25, 2017