MFM FC face the sternest test yet to their title credentials when they lock horns with league leaders Plateau United in Jos on Sunday. The match-up pits first against second on the league log in a game that may decide where the league title will end up with five matches to go.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s wards have taken league observers by surprise with their fairy tale run in just only their second ever top flight season. The Church Boys escaped relegation on the final day of their debut season in the top flight but have, this season, pushed Plateau for an unprecedented league crown.
Despite dropping points at home against Enyimba last Sunday, MFM FC star Jonathan Zikiye believes it is possible for his side to end the leaders’ 35-match unbeaten run at home since their promotion back to the top flight in 2016.
“In football anything is possible. The NPFL has grown to a stage we players now know if we give out our best, we could get something away from home.
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“Don’t forget Enyimba put up a sterling performance against us on Sunday and got a draw. So we are looking at the possibility of a good result in Jos,” Zikiye told www.aclsports.com
Two of MFM’s key actors this season, Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun are away on national team duties with the Super Eagles B and are thus ruled out of Sunday’s crunchy clash. Odey is the league’s top scorer with 18 goals while Olatunbosun is the league’s top assist maker with ten assists this term. Zikiye admits their absence will be conspicuously felt in Jos.
“We will surely miss them. You know how important they are to the team but there is nothing we can do because the national team is a big stage. We want their progress too and I believe we will cope in their absence.”
Left back Zikiye joined MFM midway through the season after an unfruitful spell up North with Wikki Tourists. The former Kano Pillars star is now enjoying life in Lagos since his switch in April is grateful for ending the season on a high.
“I feel great and fulfilled playing regular football at MFM. In life, things may not go your way sometimes like it was in the first half of the season but I’m grateful I will end well, which is the most important thing,” added the former Nembe City star who has started MFM’s last nine league games.
Kennedy Boboye’s Plateau United lead the pack with 59 points from 33 matches and are closely followed by MFM FC with 56 points from same number of games.
