MFM shock Sunshine Stars, as Rangers fall again

MFM Football Club of Lagos, which barely escaped being relegated out of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) last season, yesterday in Akure registered the shock result of the week by beating home team, Sunshine Stars 1-0.

Teenage star, Stephen Odey, who has been one of the shining lights in the youthful MFM team, scored his fifth goal of the season to down Sunshine Stars inside the Akure Township Stadium.

Odey’s goal in the 48th minute ensured that the Fidelis Ilechukwu coached MFM rose to the second position on the log with 13 points.Plateau United, who lead the table with 14 points, held Nasarawa United to a goalless draw in Lafia.

Elsewhere, Shooting Stars ended Rivers United’s seven-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 defeat with goals from Sunday Faleye and Jide Apena.Faleye opened scores in the 17th minute of the encounter, but Lukman Mohammed got Rivers United level in the 29th minute. Apena, however, ensured that 3SC went home with the three points when he struck the winner in the 68th minute.

In Nnewi, FC Ifeanyiubah defeated defending champions, Enugu Rangers 1-0, with Prince Aggrey getting the winner from the penalty spot in the 75th minute. Ivoirian, Seka Pascal, had earlier missed a first half penalty kick for the homers.

Substitute Adamu Mohammed scored late at the Sani Abacha Stadium to give Kano Pillars a 1-0 victory over hard-fighting ABS of Ilorin, while Musa Newman sent Akwa United fans into celebration with an 83rd minute goal that gave the Uyo team a 1-0 defeat of Remo Stars, their first victory of the season.

Lobi Stars beat struggling Wikki Tourists 2-0 in Makurdi with Kingsley Eduwo and Solomon Kwambe getting the goals, but Niger Tornadoes were not that lucky as they had to come from a goal down to hold 10-man Katsina United to a 1-1 draw at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

Nasiru Sani opened scores for Katsina United from the penalty spot 25 minutes into the game, but they were reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when Udechukwu Chinedu was sent off for a second bookable offence.

That numerical advantage paid off for Tornadoes two minutes later when Ifeanyi Okoye got the home team on level terms.In Umuahia, Abia Warriors beat Gombe United 1-0 with Sunday Adetunji scoring the winner six minutes from time, while Enyimba lost to El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 in Maiduguri.