Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leading scorer, Stephen Odey on Saturday netted his eighth goal of the season as the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) of Lagos held Enyimba to a 1-1 draw at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
Odey put the Olukoya Boys in the match day 13 NPFL clash ahead in the 24th minute when he beat Enyimba’s Ghanaian goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda with a close range drive after receiving a pass from diminutive Onuwa Chukwuka who later in the second half bagged a yellow card.
The Gbenga Ogunbote-side who in their last home game against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) also settled for a draw, upped their game against the Lagosians, who however, maintained the lead till the end of the half.
Enyimba brought in former FC IfeanyiUbah, Niger Tornadoes, Shooting Stars and Kwara United striker, Ismaila Gata, in the second half and his inclusion added bite to the attack of the troubled People’s Elephant.
Respite finally came for Ogunbote in the 84th minute as Ibrahim Mustapha, in a goal mouth melee, beat MFM keeper, Egbe Ospino, with a well-timed half volley.
Coach Ogunbote, while speaking after the match, said his target remained making Enyimba to finish among the top at the end of the season.
“Our boys didn’t do badly in this match, we had only a chance and they converted it. We are going through difficult times and I believe we will overcome the temporary setback. We have an oustanding game on Wednesday and we hope to get it right before going to Ilorin to face Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC on Sunday.
“I believe we can still finish among the top two this season, it is possible,” said the former Sunshine Stars and 3SC handler.
His counterpart from MFM, Fidelis Ilechukwu believes it was a match his men would have won but feels not disappointed leaving Calabar with a point.
“We almost won this match if not for loss of concentration but it is an inspiring result. We have a team with character and discipline and I believe MFM can finish among the top four at the end of the season,” Ilechukwu said.
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