MFM's Alli showers encomium on players for brave performance in Katsina

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC assistant coach, Alli Suleman Obinna has showered praise on his team after their 1-1 outing against Katsina United on Wednesday.

Alli Suleman, who led the team to Katsina in the absence of head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, who is on national assignment with the Nigerian Olympic team showered encomium on the players for their worthy performance in an interview with MFM FC Media.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God Almighty because Katsina is not an easy place for us to play and get what we have got.

“I really want to applaud the boys for the way they approached the game and at the end of the game we got the one point notwithstanding we still need to prepare and forge ahead for the remaining matches so that we can be in a better position at the end of the season,” he said.

MFM FC were forced to a 1-1 draw to extend their lead in Group A  with six points in a rescheduled fixture of Matchday 9 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) decided at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

The hosts dominated the larger part of the first 45 minutes of the proceedings with several attempt on goal and precise attacking moves but MFM FC goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi  stood his ground and made series of saves.

Katsina United were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute of the game when Abisoye Olawale mistakenly handled the ball in his box. Destiny Ashadi stepped up and took the spot kick but Folarin denied him after a big save.

The Changi Boys had a chance to score the first goal on the half hour mark off a nicely executed free kick taken by Ashadi but his attempt and a rebound from Martins Usule hit the cross bar.

With one minute to wrap the first half, Chijioke Akuneto raced on to a lovely pass from Elijah Akanni who had earlier initiated a move from midfield and put the ball beyond Dami Paul with a screamer from way out.

The hosts drew level in the 70th minute of the exchange through Usule's close range finish. Katsina United made several attempts to score the second goal but the youthful MFM side thwarted all their moves.

The Olukoya Boys maintain top spot in Group A of the NPFL standings with 22 points from 11 league matches.