MFM FC of Lagos were dealt a rude shock by Djoliba AC of Mali on Sunday evening at the Agege Stadium, after the church club lost by a lone goal to their CAF Confederations Cup opponents.
The Olukoya boys who started the game brightly as expected, failed to make their chances count and this, has been the story of their season so far. Failure to take the bull by the horn handed the initiative to visitors, Djoliba AC who soon grew into the game.
Asides the first few chances in the first 20 mins of the game, MFM FC found it difficult to create anything meaningful from open play throughout the game. Their only other chance came from Stanley Okorom’s freekick in the second half which forced the Djoliba goalkeeper to a fine finger tip save.
For every minute MFM refused to score as the game wound down, the team from Mali grew in confidence constantly putting pressure on the MFM backline and goalkeeper, Ospino Egbe who was fantastic in goal for the home team.
Ospino was called to action on numerous occasions making at least three point blank saves to keep his side in the game. Finally in the 78th minute, the pressure paid off for Djoliba AC as Mohammed Cisse converted a cross from the left flank to give his side a famous victory over MFM FC at the Agege Soccer Temple.
This victory for Djoliba AC means they become the first side to defeat MFM FC at the Agege Stadium in all competitions. More importantly, the victory puts The visitors in the driving seat ahead of the return leg in Mali in about ten days time.
The question on every Nigerian and Lagosian lips however is: can MFM get the required victory to proceed into the CAFCC group stage, in Mali against this experienced Djoliba AC side?
