The coach of Akwa United, Abdu Maikaba, is not a happy man as he blamed poor officiating for his side’s defeat in Lagos on Friday. Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club, MFM FC, beat the Promise Keepers 1-0 in a rescheduled week eight game played at the Soccer Temple in Agege.
FT: MFM FC 1-0 Akwa United. #MFMAKW #NPFL18
— MFMFCLagos (@MFMFC_Lagos) February 16, 2018
Influential midfielder, Sikiru Olatunbosun scored the decisive goal just before the break, after he was brilliantly set up by Adebayo Waheed, who was excellent for the Olukoya Boys.
Speaking after the match, Aiteo cup winning coach, Maikabo wore a frustrated face, as he couldn’t hide his displeasure with some of the officiating in the game.
“I am disappointed with one of the officiating officials,” Maikaba told aclsports.com after the game. “The second assistant denied us a good goal for no reason. So, I’m not happy with him at all.”
With the first half belonging to the home side, who deservedly went ahead, the visitors were renewed in the second, after their manager bizarrely had his half time team talk on the tracks of the stadium.
Just after the hour mark, after the Promise Keepers had missed some glittering chances, the side from Uyo thought they had equalised when Cyril Olisema’s effort sailed past Folarin Abayomi in goal for the home side.
61' MFM 1-0 Akwa Utd #MFMAKW #NPFL18. Offside against Akwa as Ibe interferes with Olisema's effort.
— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) February 16, 2018
But it was ruled out for offside, as his team mate, Michael Ibe was penalised for interfering with play, incurring the wrath of the Akwa bench.
The league leaders were the better side in the second half, and had even more opportunities to draw level, but for their profligacy.
This, according to their manager, Maikaba, ultimately cost them the game, and at least a point.
“We were poor [and] shy in front of goal, we must try to do better because we have an important task ahead of us,” the former Wikki Tourist coach added.
Despite that result, Akwa remain top of the league on 16points, while MFM moved nine places to eighth on the log, with that hard-fought win.
#NPFL18 table after today's match pic.twitter.com/9En12jRMUL
— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) February 16, 2018
Up next for both sides, MFM FC host Real Bamako of Mali in the CAF Champions League first round second leg, while Akwa United will be hoping to turn around the 2-1 deficit they suffered in the first leg when they travel to Gambia to face Banjul Hawks.
