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MFM FC’s Fans In Emotional Farewell To Players

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Supporters of Lagos-based MFM FC on Sunday gave their darling team an emotional farewell song as they wrapped up the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a comfortable CAF Champions League spot.
The Tidesports source gathered that MFM is now in a secured second spot on the league table and are still nursing the ambition of upsetting the table toppers, Plateau United to the league crown.
The crowning of the league winners is delayed owing to the recent slump by the league table toppers, Plateau United, who stumbled in their last two matches.
The Peace Boys from Jos should have wrapped up their winning of the league shield save a shocking home draw and an away defeat in the Matches Day 36 and 37 respectively.
The Kennedy Boboye-tutored side has of recent failed to sustain the tempo which saw them on the summit of the table as they could only manage a 2-2 draw against a spirited Rivers United.
The team also failed to win their last match as they also slumped to yet another defeat now in the hands of Wikki Tourist of Bauchi to whom they lost 0-1.
With the drop experience by Plateau United, second placed team, MFM, who has been on their trail are now confident of springing a last minute surprise to wrestle the crown away from the Jos team.
However, the diehard Lagos supporters were grateful to the team for bringing back the glory days of watching continental football which has been elusive for 13 years.
The high-flying MFM had sealed the continental ticket with a comfortable 2-0 win over visiting Nasarawa United at their Soccer Temple Agege Township Stadium on Sunday.
The win was enough to reward the fans for their unalloyed support to MFM that are just spending their second season in the elite division.
Also, the fans voted the Mercurial midfielder, Chukwuma Onuwa, as the club’s Player of the Year (POTY), defeating Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun.
In a poll conducted on the club’s website, Onuwa polled 56 per cent, to beat Odey with 34 per cent and Olatunbosun with 13.8 per cent.
Speaking on the award, Onuwa thanked the fans for their votes and promised to deliver more in the coming years.
“MFM is a club in my heart, I am grateful for the support I have received so far. It has been a fruitful and rewarding year for me and the club.
“I promise to also give my all in the coming year as we prepare for the continental campaign,” he said.
A football pundit, Rotimi Arabi, said that the feat by the MFM was unprecedented in the history of league in the country.
“The team should be well commended for their efforts, they came just last season and they have secured a continental ticket, this is a rare effort.
“The team is a team to beat and if they continue in this fashion, they are going to be a club feared by all.
“The team is well organised and well managed and this accounts for their success,” he said.
Another fan, Tomiwa Babalola, said that MFM had done almost what may be termed as impossible, hence the team should be motivated well to do more.
“To many, it’s a distant surprise for a team like MFM to be rubbing shoulders with the league power horses.
“Many wouldn’t have giving them a chance but they have proved their mettle as a team well organised. I urge for more support to the team,” he said. (NAN)

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Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues  

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Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

 

 

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City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road 

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Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

 Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

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PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1 

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Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.

 

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