NPFL: MFM held at home again, Sunshine Stars 1-0 Niger Tornadoes + other results

Lagos-based MFM Football Club on Sunday drew 1-1 against less-fancied Remo Stars FC in a Match Day 19 fixture of the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Group A.
The hosts came from behind after a shot from Elijah Akanni had created a goalmouth scramble in the 60th minute.
Remo Stars FC had drawn the first blood in the 23rd minute through Victor Chidume.
The draw was the third home draw by MFM FC this season.
This had started with Enyimba FC, a game they drew 1-1 on Match Day 14.
They then recorded a 0-0 draw against the Lobi Stars.
It was the first time Remo Stars FC were picking a point at the Agege Stadium, after five meeting between both teams.
A distraught MFM FC Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, refused to say much at the end of the match, though he did say the game was not what he expected.
“I cannot comment on the match because this is not what I expected”, he said.
Remo Stars FC’s goalscorer, Chidume, on his part, said he was extremely happy to have scored against the team he has much respect for.
“I am extremely happy to score the goal, though they came back to draw level. I respect the team so much because of their pedigree in the league.
“It wasn’t a bad result for us. At least we were able to secure a point. Because nobody gave us a chance,” he said.
Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure defeated visiting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna 1-0 to strenghten their bid to avoid relegation.
The Match Day 19 fixture in the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure saw few chances created in the game’s first half.
Chibondu Amah, who replaced Abiodun Joseph, scored the only goal of the match in the 60th minute after he connected a low cross from Fuad Ekelojuoti.
Kabiru Dogo, the Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars, later said he was very excited with the result, saying “the number of goals scored does not matter, the three points do.”
Dogo added that his next target was to get four points from the two consecutive away fixtures his team has ahead of it.
‘I’m very happy, very excited. At least we were able to secure the needed three points.
“But I believe if the type of officiating we’re getting here is what we have been getting in other places, we would have by now been at the top of the league.
“However, we are going for two away matches and our plan is to get four points in both matches if we get this kind of officiating,” he said.
Hamza Abara, the Head Coach of Niger Tornadoes FC, on his part said his plans to pick the maximum points did not work.
“Our plan was to pick three points here to escape relegation, but it turned the other way round. Hopefully, we will get something out from our away match with Enyimba International FC of Aba.
“The problem of our team used to be the Management Committee. The members are the architects of the team, but they are no longer with the team. The performance of the players has now changed.
“The officiating of this match was okay. This is the kind of officiating I want. Even at home, we don’t get this kind of officiating,” he said.
Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin defeated visiting Katsina United FC 2-1.
Adimorama Eze gave the hosts the lead in the 34th minute of the match played at the University of Benin Sports Complex, and went on to double the lead in the 44th minute.
Tasiu Lawal scored the only goal for the visiting team in the 69th minute of play.
Speaking at a post-match conference, Head Coach of Bendel Insurance FC, Baldwin Bazuaye expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance.
“Today’s win for us was a good one, and we deserved to win the game. My players put on their best.
“We have to be thankful to our Supporters Club and fans who were showing their support all through the game.
“We will ensure that we do the entire state proud by remaining in the elite league.
“We have to keep working hard game after game to remain in the top-flight,” he said.
Also speaking, the Head Coach of Katsina United, Abdullahi Biffo, commended the match’s officiating, saying he believes that referees are human and they are bound to make mistakes.
“The home team were more hungry for success, and it showed in the way they came at us from the beginning. They were all in our penalty area throughout the game,” he said.
Kano Pillars ‎Football Club defeated visiting Go Round FC of Omoku 2-0.
In the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, Auwalu Malam scored in the 20th minute to put the visitors ahead.‎
Kano Pillars left back Chris Madaki doubled the lead in the 39th minute of the entertaining encounter.‎
The visitors made several efforts to equalise thereafter, but the brilliant efforts of the Kano Pillars defenceline denied them any chance of getting a goal.‎‎
Speaking with newsmen after the match, Kano Pillars’ head coach Ibrahim Musa commended his players for their team work and fighting spirit.‎
“We are playing well, and will not take any team for granted until we achieve our target of finishing in the top bracket,” he said.
Auwalu Malam of Kano Pillars was voted Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.‎