Akwa United record historic away win to deepen MFM misery

MFM FC suffered their second home defeat of the season as they succumbed 2-1 to Akwa United.

The defeat sunk the Lagos side deeper into the relegation zone while Akwa United moved third and just one point adrift of Kwara United, the league leaders.

MFM coach, Gabriel Olalekan, made three changes to the team that lost at Rivers United during the week. Muyiwa Balogun, the team’s leading goalscorer, was omitted from the starting lineup.

Akwa United gaffer, Kennedy Boboye, relied on the same crop of players that pipped FC Ifeanyi Ubah 1-0 last week.

The Promise Keepers were on a high, following an impressive away form that has won them six points in seven games away from home.

Ndifreke Effiong headed wide off a Mfon Udoh corner to register Akwa’s intent early on in the game. Morice Chukwu fired wide as Akwa continued to dominate.

Against the run of play, MFM got the first shot on goal. Mumini Amoo freed Paul Obata who was running in the byline — but his shot was stopped by Adéwálé Adeyinka.

Folarin Abayomi’s alertness was tested by an overwhelming Akwa United attack. Seth Muyi’s bullet header was only saved courtesy of the crossbar.

Akwa United took a deserved lead in the 45th minute, ending their barrenness at the Soccer Temple since MFM gained promotion to the NPFL. Ikechukwu Nwani darted through MFM’s midfield before threading a pass to Mfon Udoh, who poked beyond Abayomi.

MFM responded almost immediately. Amoo was brought down at the stroke of halftime and Obata’s strike from the resulting freekick deflected off the wall and wrong-footed Adeyinka.

Nwani restored the lead for Akwa. He turned Kelechi Ogor inside-out before placing a deft right-footed strike into the bottom right corner.

The injection of Ebenezer Oseyemi, Izuchukwu Chimezie, and Akanni Ramon reinvigorated MFM FC — but the changes were not enough to save them from the relegation zone as they stayed one point below the safety zone.