MFM FC defeat lackluster Heartland behind closed doors

Lagos-based MFM on Sunday defeated Heartland FC of Owerri 2-0 in a pulsating closed door fixture on Match Day 27 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at Agege Stadium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match starts the three to be played under closed door as punishment for MFM’s fans’ pitch invasion in the Match Day 23 encounter with 3SC of Ibadan.

The match witnessed much drama as four penalties were awarded in the encounter by referee Sani Mohammed who awarded three penalties to the home side and one to the Naze Millionaires.

Heartland was awarded the first spot kick in the 27th minute by Ebele Obi which MFM goalkeeper, James Aiyeyemi, comfortably parried to safety.

MFM had its fair share of the penalty in the 29th minute which was converted by Ifeanyi Ifeanyi through a rebound, giving the Fidelis Ilechukwu men the lead.

The visitors were too clumsy throughout the entire game and eventually earned a red card awarded to Nelson Ogbonnaya in the 55th minute for a second bookable offence.

The Alphonsus Dike side continued their clumsiness and ruthless tackles until the 41st minutes when MFM was awarded another penalty after Heartland’s defender handled the ball in the 12 yards box.

The host continued with its domineering style of play and intricate passing style which eventually paid off in the 60th minute and saw them score from the spot through Stephen Odey.

The Daniel Olukoya boys sustained their fire approach to the game till the last minute when they earned the much needed three points to move up to the 9th position on the NPFL log.

Other NPFL results

FC Nasarawa United FC 3 - 0 Sunshine Stars Akwa United FC 2 - 3 Rangers International FC Enyimba International FC 2 - 1 Kano Pillars Rivers United FC 2 - 0 Shooting Stars FC IfeanyiUbah 1 - 0 El-Kanemi Warriors FC MFM FC 2 - 0 Heartland FC Lobi Stars FC 1 - 0 Plateau United Abia Warriors 1 - 0 Warri Wolves FC Tornadoes 1 - 1 Wikki Tourists