Unity Preseason Tournament: Mahanaim FC's Super-sub Sarki, Stings Wikki Tourist, as Sodiq Yusuf Target Setraco Scalp In Quarterfinals

Olaoluwa Aro

Mahanaim FC pacing winger and Flying Eagles forward, Rilwanu Haliru Sarki powers his team to the knockout round of the ongoing Unity Preseason Tourney- with an unexpected 17-yards shot against Wikki Tourist.

The Nigerian U-20 Star strike, confirmed the exit of the Nigeria Professional Football  League ( NPFL) side, Wikki Tourists alongside Doma United in their last group games on Tuesday in Abuja.

The last matches in the  group D which took place simultaneously at both Old parade football complex, venue of the game between Mahanaim FC and Wikki Tourist, while  EFCC versus Doma took their Make or Mar encounter to Area 3, Football Pitch.

The two fixtures showed how difficult it was for two the teams, to have qualified before the last round of matches in the Unity preseason tournament groupings.

 Wikki Tourist drew the first blood against Mahanaim FC during the course of the first 45 minutes and managed to consolidate on it till they went on recess. 

The non-league side, Mahanaim FC had lined up some of their  fringe players in a bid to build their confidence and equally exposed them through the highly intensed encounter with Wikki Tourist, however, Saheed Olalekan(Seedorf) promptly unleashed all his foot soldiers into the field of play, as the second 45 minutes started.

Mahanaim were initially forced by Wikki Tourist to adopt a not too impressive tactics which is against the culture and style of play of the Abuja-based side. 

As the match continued to take shape properly Wikki Tourist were struggling to contain the tactically high ' pressing ' approach of the Mahanaim boys all through the progression of the match.

The kebbi born intelligent winger, Rilwanu Sarki came on explosively and flashed the Bauchi-based football team goalkeeper with his well taken strike, though, the man who stood in between the goalposts was alert to save the ferocious strike. 

Aliu Baba Kareem, known as Mahanaim FC 'tiger ' calmly controlled a through pass from one of his teammates in the 89th minute of the game, and was able to finessed two Wikki Tourist defenders, while setting up a sublime cross for the pacing winger, Sarki, who this time around thunderously lashed his left-foot on the ball from 17-yards into the net. 

This late effort confirmed the quarter finals ticket of Mahanaim FC, as Doma united exit the competition after they settled for a two all draw against EFCC at the area 3 football pitch; suffice to say, Rilwanu Haliru Sarki handed the Abuja-based team its Quarter finals ticket. 

Meanwhile, as Mahanaim FC prepares for the quarterfinal’s match against Setraco today, Sodiq Yusuf one of the best center backs in this competition and highly rated Mahanaim FC player so far, expressed confidence that his side will leave no stone unturned. 

"It was not an easy task  booking our ticket going into today's game against a league One side, Setraco. 

‘’We have been very formidable as a non league football team thus far, Mahanaim FC sets target collectively and we usually tick the target boxes after every game. 

“We are taking this game very seriously and no stone would be left unturned," he assured.

Mahanaim FC finished as the Table toppers of Group D with five points, from three games - in the second edition of the ongoing Unity Preseason Tourney. They will face Setraco 2pm, at Area 3 football pitch this afternoon.