By Abdul Raheem
Jigawa Golden Stars FC went back to wining ways following a deserved victory over visiting MFM FC of Lagos in a MatchDay 18 tie of the 2020/2021 NPFL season at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
Jigawa were awarded a spot kick when MFM defender handled the ball in the box and Jigawa striker, Samuel Stone stepped forward to score the penalty with a grounder that sent goalkeeper Adeniyi Bamidele the other way.
Having recorded mixed results at home, Jigawa were intent on picking the maximum points and could have scored more if Andrew Idoko had not sliced his ball wide in the 15th minute unmarked in the six yard box. Bature had a chance to double the score in the 38th minute but headed wide with clear sight of goal.
As the second half kicked off, Jigawa continued their search for more goals and Stone nearly doubled his tally if not for Adeniji who cleared the ball out before he could connect a pass from the right wing.
MFM too had their chances, Adeniji Kabiru’s shot from a free kick was parried for corner by Sochi Victor, while substitute, Muyiwa Balogun wasted a clear chance of equalising for his side when his header went straight to the goalkeeper.
Substitutes Lala Abdullahi and Ali Musa Kalla tried to combine for another goal but couldn’t make it work.
Speaking after the match, Jigawa coach, Gilbert Opuana commended the players for having a good game. “It was a good performance but the weather was harsh and windy in the second half. We will be there to give our best in our next match against Lobi Stars to improve our standing”
Coach Olalekan Gabriel of MFM said they tried to play their game but were undone by the early goal. “The game has come and gone. We tried to play our game but the early goal affected us. It is a game of football. I’m not comfortable with our result, we need to go back to drawing board.”
Match details:
Jigawa Golden Stars team list
Sochi Victor 16
Bilal Yakubu 2
Olarewaju Abdulrahman 5
Ibrahim Umar 15
Philip Clement 26
Richard Christopher 8 (Yusuf Mohammed 82′)
Dogara Peter 21
Olasunkanmi Quadri 27 (Muhammad Gidado 82′)
Bature Sanni 13 (Ali M Kalla 58′)
Andrew Idoko 36 (Abdullahi Lala 58′)
Samuel O Stone 9
Substitutes
Mukhtar Ibrahim 1
Muhammad Gidado 22
Kamal Gambo. 18
Yusuf Muhammad 17
James Ajako. 3
Ali M Kalla 10
Danburan Abdulkadeer 4
Abdullahi M Kalla. 11
Olamide Ogundele. 34
T.A Gilbert Opuana
MFM FC team list
16.Adeniyi Bamidele
3.Adeyinka Najeem
14.Emiloju Julius
5.Ogoh Kelechi (Olubobola Tosin 82′)
32.Ifeanyi Onyebuchi
4.Legbara Barry
10.Akanni Elijah
35.Kenedinum Nelson
28.Adebayo telmin (Balogun Muyiwa 48′)
9.Odeyemi Ebenezer (Amoo Mumuni 82′)
7.Adeniji Kabiru (Ogwu Clement 61′)
Substitutes
25.Isaac Jerry
34.Adikwu Moses
19.zacharia justice
26.Amoo Mumuni
18.Ogwu Clement
8.Balogun Muyiwa
12.Olubobola Tosin
Coach: Gabriel Olalekan
Man of the match; Jigawa Stars striker, Samuel Stone was chosen man of the match for being a thorn in the flesh of MFM defence and scoring the lone goal of the match.
Cautions: Jigawa Stars Phillip Clement and MFM’s Clement Ogwu were cautioned for misconduct.
