16-year-old Lawal Abayomi made history, after his second half appearance in Mountain of Fires and Miracles Ministries football club’s 1-0 win over AS Real De Bamako in the second leg of the CAF CL preliminary round one.
Akuneto Chijioke’s late goal proved the difference, as MFM FC, knocked out De Bamako to book a place in the next round.
Abayomi became the youngest debutant in the competition following his introduction in the second half as a replacement for Ayinde Abiodun, and ended the game with an assist.
Chijioke’s header in the 85th minute came thanks to a wonderful cross from Abayomi, as the two earned MFM a hard-fought 1-0 win in the second leg for an aggregate 2-1 win over De Bamako.
De Bamako dominated the encounter, coming close to taking the lead on four different occasions in the first half, but lacked the cutting edge.
The hosts were very underwhelming in the first half, with their only real chance coming the way of Ayinde Abiodun, who missed from close range as the half ended with nothing to separate both sides.
The visitors started the brightest after the break, and continued their dominance on the ball.
However, despite having most of the ball, they were unable to test MFM’s goalkeeper, Egbe Ospino, who was on holiday throughout, except for when Badra Diakite’s low drive in the first half brought the best out of him.
A rare mistake by Uwaga Chuka nearly gifted the away side a breakthrough, but MFM’s defense, led by the brilliant Uwaga, recovered to block Thasse Diara’s shot from range.
With the game looking to end in a goalless affair, despite both sides making full use of their substitutions, it was the home side who finally broke the deadlock through Akuneto with five minutes left to play.
Akuneto combined brilliantly with debutant, Abayomi, whose beautifully weighted cross was finished by the attacker to all but seal their passage into the next round for the Olukoya Boys.
The result means MFM move into the next round, with an aggregate score of 2-1, and will face Algerian side, MC Alger, after the overcame Congolese side, AS Otoho.
