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Enyimba hold high-flying MFM

By Daily Sports on March 12, 2017

Enyimba had to rely on a late goal from Ibrahim Mustapha to save them from a first home defeat in this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League on Saturday in a game that ended 1-1 with MFM FC.

The two previous meetings in the NPFL between the two teams failed to produce goals, so it was not expected to be a high-scoring contest at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar where Mustapha cancelled out Stephen Odey’s first-half goal.

MFM head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu made no change to the team that defeated Remo Stars 1-0 last weekend.

It was different for Enyimba head coach Gbenga Ogunbote who listed Ghanaian goalkeeper Fatau Dauda, Isiaka Oladuntoye and Joseph Osadiaye in place of Theophilus Afelokhai, Ifeanyi Anaemena and Stanley Dimgba who started in the 1-3 loss at Kano Pillars in the last matchday.

Just 55 seconds after kickoff, MFM went route-one and nearly picked out Odey before former Kwara United Oladuntoye made a last ditch tackle to deny the league’s top scorer.

Enyimba had their first decent chance at goal on 18 minutes. MFM failed to clear Mfon Udoh’s corner which fell kindly to Samson Gbadebo whose weak header was well held by Ospino Egbe in MFM's goal.

Four minutes later, Odey should have given MFM the lead when Sikiru Olatunbosun lobbed the ball into his path inside the box but the striker could not get enough power on his header, which was held by Fatau though he had the option of cushioning it with his chest before taking a pop.

Fatau was not to deny Odey on 24 minutes. Chukwuka Onuwa intercepted a clearance and slipped a pass to Odey who scored on the turn.

After Odey’s goal, MFM decided to play more men behind the ball forcing Enyimba to keep a highline while they hope to hit the People’s Elephant on the break. Odey’s strike ensured MFM went into the locker room the happier.

The People’s Elephant continued to peg back MFM in the second half and five minutes into the restart, Stephen Chukwude did well to go past Shola Brossa in the box but lost his footing at the most crucial moment.

On 52 minutes, Mustapha headed Udoh’s cross straight at Egbe.

Then Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Chukwude took attempts at goal for Enyimba without hitting target.

Fourteen minutes to the end, MFM substitute Ifeanyi Abara was played through on goal but his legs could not carry him far as Enyimba defenders tracked back well and Odey could only hit the loose ball straight at Fatau.

Enyimba finally levelled matters with five minutes to the end when Mustapha adjusted himself to put away the ball with an overhead kick from close range.

The former Nigerian champions have now dropped back-to-back points at home and have also failed to win in five games on the bounce.

The draw takes MFM into fourth place with 20 points as Odey tops the goalscoring chart with eight goals. (© supersport.com)

•Photo shows Enyimba players warming up.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 12, 2017