MFM must beat Nasarawa United to keep league title dreams alive– Coach

MFM Football Club, otherwise known as Olukoya Boys, lost 1-0 to Abia Warriors in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

In spite the defeat, MFM remains second in the NPFL table with 59 points from 36 games, four points adrift of Plateau United who leads the log with 63 points from the same number of matches.

If the MFM boys had won their match, they would have narrowed the gap of the lead between them and Plateau United to one point.

But MFM could not take advantage of Plateau United’s slip to boost their chances of toppling Plateau United who also were held to a 1-1 draw by Rivers United FC.

Coach Ilechukwu, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he believed the NPFL title race was still open despite his side’s defeat away to Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

“We didn’t take our chances and we paid for it, but I believe that the NPFL title race is still open.

“Sunday’s match against Nasarawa United is a must win for us in order for us to close the gap on the league leaders, Plateau United.

“We need to make our presence felt as the league is still open.“ At this stage of last season, we were on 35 points,

“But see where we are now. The tone has changed and some are even routing for us to win the league with players we recruited from the grassroots.

“I recall saying at the beginning of the season that, our goal was a top three finish, but it is obvious now that we are hungry for more.

“I do not think any club will want to write us off with our current position in the league, not even the log leaders.

“We have to believe we can. Nothing is over until it is over.”

Football analysts stressed the need for MFM to win their two remaining fixtures against Nasarawa United and El Kanemi Warriors.

They noted that for MFM to win, Plateau United must drop at least four points for the Olukoya Boys to stand a chance of landing their first ever title. (NAN)