Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) Football Club of Lagos failed to secure a needed win against visiting Akwa United to sink deeper into the relegation battles in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Goals from Mfon Udoh and Ikechukwu Ikenna were enough for the visiting Akwa United to secure a 2-1 win on a hot Sunday afternoon at the Soccer Temple, Lagos.
Akwa started the attack as early as the second minute of action through Udoh from a corner kick with Ndifreke Effiong heading narrowly wide.
MFM came knocking in the 9th minute through Adebayo Temim who wasted his scoring chance. His tame effort was not enough to worry Adewale Adeyinka in goal for the Promise Keepers.
Udoh again had a chance minutes later after he was brought down on the edge of the 18yard box, but the resultant kick was not well executed with MFM clearing the lose ball.
Nwani could have put the visitors in front in the 23rd minute with his fierce effort from the edge of the box narrowly going off target.
Temim again squandered another chance for the hosts failing to put away a begging chance inside the box with his tame attempt smothered by Adeyinka.
The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute through Udoh courtesy of an assist from Nwani after a well balanced game but the lead was not for long.
Paul Obata restored parity on the stroke of half time courtesy of a sweet free kick right on the edge of the box.
MFM’s goal scorer, Obata was substituted for Muyiwa Balogun at the start of second half in their quest to pile on the pressure but it was Akwa who took advantage in the 52nd minute through Nwani after an assist from Ndifreke.
To maintain their lead, Coach Kennedy Boboye introduced the duo of Adam Yakubu and Ali Chiwendu for Mfon Udoh and David Phillip.
MFM also brought in Opeyemi Ebenezer and Izuchukwu Chimezie for Oladayo Alabi and Clement Ogwu respectively in their search for an equalizer and a possible win.
Toward the end of the game, Akwa United player, Olisah Ndah bagged a yellow card while the referee also cautioned Adeyinka for time wasting.
Having had enough after the normal 90 minutes of play and four minutes extra time, the centre referee brought down the curtain on the game as MFM failed to secure the much needed points at home.
Their next game will be against Enyimba International of Aba on Wednesday at the Soccer Temple, Agege.
Match stats
Throwing
Akwa United- 14
MFM- 11
Corner kick
Akwa United- 4
MFM- 2
Free kick
Akwa United- 11
MFM- 14
Yellow card
Akwa United- 3
MFM
Red card
Akwa United
MFM
Shot on goal
Akwa United- 4
MFM- 2
Off target
Akwa United- 4
MFM- 4
Off side
Akwa United- 3
MFM- 3
