May 21, 2019

MFM FC put life into their aspiration of reaching the title playoff in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 2-1 win over Katsina United at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Monday.

A match in which MFM wasted a handful of chances had to be settled by a classic injury time beauty.

Substitute Michael Ohanu came on wearing the number 9 as the man to get the goal, but instead, he was a superb creator of a much needed winner. Ohanu dribbled his way down the flank and his cross was inch perfect to the height and approach of full back, Jonathan Zikiye who nodded firmly past a despairing Danjuma Paul.

The late winner, which arrived four minutes into the extra five given, was the least MFM deserved from a determined play, even though Katsina United were for many moments, very plucky opponents. One such moment was the equaliser, a header by their captain, Timothy Danladi which was as good as it was in many wise, unexpected. That was five minutes after the restart.

MFM had gone into the the break a goal up through a beautiful effort by Adeniji Kabir. He timed his run to perfection, brought the ball down with his chest and neatly placed it beyond the reach of Paul.

If those were moments of quality, it was generally a day of utter frustration for MFM striker, Chijioke Akuneto. He could have had a hat-trick. He booted high Balogun Alade’s cross from six yards, was denied with a finger tip by Paul and when he had the beating of the goalkeeper, the goal post refused him.

It took a substitute to create the most telling moment of the match for a defender who hardly mattered going forward. But the beauty of the winner was so good, it had players and officials of MFM jubilating well after the match had ended as they finished their home games with a flourish and did their hopes of making the top six no harm.