Abia Warriors got a sting from MFM’s Muyiwa Balogun header just a few seconds to the break and substitute Oludayo Alabi consolidated with a free kick in his first touch in the second half, after putting up an impressive resistance in the first 45 minutes, visiting.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Abia pulled back one with a Godwin Obaje header in the 84th minute to leave scores at 2-1.
Abia Warriors had opened the game with early attacks, producing two chances right inside MFM’s six yard box but Paul Samson needed to have been more calculated.
MFM also fluffed series of chances, the best from a 24 minutes free kick which Muyiwa Balogun jabbed straight at goalkeeper Pius Ibrahim to parry.
Despite the victory, MFM Coach Shola Balogun says his major worry is to be able to keep an away result to shore up the competitiveness of the club for the title.
Reflecting on the game, Technical Adviser of Abia Warriors, Imama Amakakpabo said though the opposition was not that tough, a couple of his players failed to properly interpret their roles while those on the forward line did not quite click.
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“MFM did not really produce clear cut chances but they had two goals. We produced a number of chances but the forward liners failed to utilise. My job is always to get the players to play more technically but a couple of the players did not quite understand their instructions.”
Elsewhere, Dakkada FC in their newly adopted home turf needed some degree of resilience to see off Nasarawa United in a fierce battle at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City, despite finishing the fixture with nine (9) men.
Aniekan Ekpe had put the home side in front on three minutes before Michael Tochukwu poked in the equalizer in the 33rd minute. Emmanuel Ayaosi wrapped the game up for the Uyo based side in stoppage time.
A brace from Madaki Dauda helped Katsina United to a 2-1 win at home to visiting Gombe United, who thought they would be departing with a point after Ibrahim Yahaya drew them level just before the break.
In Aba, Enyimba secured their first win in three games with a hard-fought lone goal victory against visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
Emmanuel Godwin latched onto Wasiu Mahmud’s cross in the 87th minute to find the back of the net. The win takes the eight time champions to third on the log and some respite for coach Finidi George.
At the Ape Akur stadium Makurdi, Saidu Mubarak’s 83rd-minute effort earned Lobi Stars a famous win against league champions Akwa United FC of Uyo, while Heartland FC edged Wikki Tourists of Bauchi with a similar scoreline in Owerri, courtesy of Chukwudi Nwaodu’s 37th-minute penalty.
Goals from Muyiwa Balogun and Oladayo Alabi in the 45th and 61st minute respectively helped MFM of Lagos to a 2-1 win against Abia Warriors at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Godwin Obaje secured the consolation goal for the Umuahia side six minutes to regulation time.
Rangers International pulled a stunning performance in Ilorin to secure a point away at Kwara United. Samuel Chisom had put the home side in front on 31 minutes, but former Lobi Stars forward, Ossy Martins ensured both sides shared the spoils when he headed home a corner on 49 minutes.
#NPFL MATCHDAY 5 RESULTS
Tornadoes 0-0 Rivers Utd
Lobi 1-0 Akwa Utd
Katsina Utd 2-1 Gombe Utd
Enyimba 1-0 3SC
Sunshine Stars 3-0 Kano Pillars
Kwara Utd 1-1 Rangers
MFM 2-1 Abia Warriors
Heartland 1-0 Wikki
Remo Stars 1-0 Plateau Utd
Dakkada 2-1 Nasarawa Utd