Sports
MFM FC Targets Continental Ticket
Celebrating their 2-1 defeat of Rangers International FC of Enugu on Friday in a match played under floodlight, Lagos-based MFM FC players say they are aiming at a continental ticket after the season.
The players told newsmen in Lagos that the club would aim at finishing in the top four in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
That, according to them, will make their dream of securing a ticket to play in any of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Championships come through.
The players spoke on the sidelines of the rescheduled Match Day 6 of the NPFL between MFM and Rangers International at their soccer temple, Agege Township Stadium.
Tidesports gathered that MFM’s defeat was courtesy of a wonder goal from Sikiru Olatunbosun in the 26th minute and Stephen Odey’s brilliant strike in the 65th minute.
Rangers’ goal came from Bobby Clement in the 81st minute after a momentary loss of concentration by MFM players.
On their expectations of the season, Olatunbosun said that the team had resolved to play in a continental championship next season.
“Our target is the top four because we want to play in a continental competition. We don’t want what happened last season to repeat. We will try to win all our home matches.
“We will not allow any team to look down on us this season, we will try our best. For me, I have a personal target, last season, I scored seven goals, but this season, I want to score more.
“I have three goals already and I am looking forward to score more,’’ he said.
Teenage striker, Odey, said playing Rangers was a tough task due to their current form but added that the team was happy to surpass last season’s achievement.
“It was a tough game because Rangers are the defending champions of the league and they are also playing in a continental championship. Picking up a win against them means much to the team.
“We want to play in the continent, so all the points are important to us. Last season, we are unable to beat them, but we are able to do that this time around.
“We have been accused of not beating any top club at home but we have shown that we can do that this season judging from our last two matches against Kano Pillars and Rangers.
“This is our season and our fans should expect better performances from us. The fans should rally round us in both home and away matches,’’ he said.
Odey, who won the NPFL Player of the Month for his stellar performances, said he dedicated the award to the team and fans of the club.
Tidesports also gathered that it was MFM’s first win over the Ima Amamakpabo boys. The win earned the team second place on the NPFL log with 16 points and a game in hand.
The Olukoya Boys have played eight matches, with 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
Sports2 days agoPlateau Wins Kanemi, As Bayelsa, Bendel Played 1-1
-
Education2 days agoVC Congratulates Igwe on Appointment as Pro-Chancellor
-
Sports10 hours agoArsenal’s Saliba Wants to Be Best
-
Politics2 days agoAlleged Attack On Abure In Benin, LP Calls For Investigation
-
Sports2 days agoLa Liga: Atletico Bring Real Back To Earth
-
Sports9 hours ago
CCL: “Rivers United will get better”
-
Maritime2 days agoCustoms, MAN Consent On 4% FoB Exemptions, Manufacturing Support Measures
-
Rivers2 days agoIAUE Emerges Winner Of National Campus Debate, 2025