NPFL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
By Duro Ikhazuagbe
Two goals from Lobi Stars forward, Anthony Okpotu, and a third from substitute Kingsley Eduwo gave African Nations Championship (CHAN)-bound Home Eagles 3-2 victory over MFM FC to emerge champions of the NPFL Invitational Tournament in Kano yesterday.
Jonathan Zikiye and Uwaga Chuka scored MFM’s two goals in the thrilling game that capped the pre-season tournament arranged for teams representing the country in CAF continental campaigns.
The Olukoya Boys who finished as runners-up of the last NPFL season to Plateau United had the game under control from blast of whistle and narrowly missed taking the lead barely three minutes into the encounter which held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in the ancient city.
MFM’s Timothy Danladi’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Adegboyega Adekunle to send signal to the Eagles that they were in Kano for business.
But after that early scare, the Home-based Eagles regained their form with Okpotu missing the first real chance to get the curtain raise. His volley went off target from outside the 22metre box.
Kano home-boy Rabiu Ali’s effort to put Eagles ahead was also thwarted by MFM goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi on 32 minutes.
Home Eagles coach Salisu Yusuf who was not comfortable with the sharpness of his attack had to pull out injured Sunday Faleye for Emeka Ogbuchi shortly before the break.
With second to end the first stanza, Okpotu who was NPFL hotshot with 19 goals last season dug deep into his bag of tricks to register the curtain raiser.
He pounced on a through ball by Rabiu Ali to slot the ball past the onrushing MFM FC goalkeeper.
On resumption from break, the church team went on the offensive, searching for the much needed equaliser. Chijioke Akuneto’s shot was saved by Theophilus Afelokhai in goal for the Eagles.
MFM Head Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, who was desperate to leave Kano with something to start the new season introduced Abayomi Lawal to reinforce his team.
Instead, it was the Eagles who almost doubled their lead when Peter Eneji came close putting the ball in the net in the 56 minute.
They really didn’t have to wait longer as Okpotu got his second goal of the game in the 69th minute hitting the roof of the net after he was set up by substitute Nura Mohammed.
Eduwo added the third eight minutes later following another assist by Mohammed.
Zikiye however reduced the deficit four minutes from time, while Uwaga gave his side hope of a fight-back by netting the second on the dot of 90 minutes.
Earlier in the day, Plateau United defeated Akwa United to secure the third position of the competition, while Enyimba defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 on penalties in the fifth and sixth playoff.
