By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos – Lagos-based MFM FC striker Stephen Odey says the only way to atone for their terrible midweek Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 0-4 loss to IfeanyiUbah was responding with an emphatic win.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensational striker was a hatrick hero in the MFM Match Day 3 fixtures against Lobi Stars of Markudi on Sunday.
The match played at their soccer temple, Agege Stadium, saw the Olukoya Boys responding to the disappointing away match to IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi with four unreplied goals to triumph over Lobi Stars.
MFM kick-started the season on a high with a remarkable 3-0 victory over visiting Niger Tornadoes FC in their first home game but failed to sustain the momentum after Match Day 2.
The team suffered a defeat in the hands of FC IfeanyiUbah in the midweek fixtures in Nnewi.
Their Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, however, made five changes to the side that suffered 0-4 defeat on Match Day 2 at Nnewi notably Agbane Candy.
Ilechukwu has the teenage striker, Odey, to thank for his standout performances during the match, comfortably routing the visitors with a hat-trick.
Odey, opened his scoring spree in the 27th minute of play when he nutmegged the rushing the Lobi Stars goalkeeper, John Lawrence, with a deft pass from Sikiru Olatunbosun.
He bagged a brace in the second half of the match when he fired a fierce shot inside the 18 yard box in the 58th and completed his entertaining hat-trick in the 63rd minute.
Odey, however, received a standing ovation for his contributions when he was substituted in the 69th minute by Isah Akor.
The other goal for the rampant MFM side was scored through substitute Adekunle Adegboyega, a startling goal from the edge of the Makurdi-based team’s box in the 62nd minute.
The visitors, coached by Godwin Uwah, however, did not have any answer to the counter attacking style of the Church Boys.
Speaking, the Match Day 3 hero, Odey said that the team needed to respond to their embrassing away defeat in the hands of IfeanyiUbah.
“We need matches like this to appease our fans for the way we were embarrased in Nnewi. We need to repond to that.
“We have played a strong team, but that does not mean that we will not do our best to make the fans happy with us.
“We don’t like scandalous defeat and we will try not to have such heavy defeat in the future,’’ he said.
On his part, Lobi Stars gaffer, Uwuah, said that his boys were unlucky to have conceded such goals, adding that the loss would not dampen their morale.
“It’s a game we never wanted to be like this, but it’s a game, we are not much bothered because we are just unlucky.
“Games like this can be painful, but we will not allow it to dampen our morale in the next match,’’ he said.
MFM currently occupies the 4th position on the league’s log with 6 points from three matches.
NAN reports that MFM has a date with 3SC of Ibadan for the midweek NPFL Match Day 4 at Adamasingba Stadium for a South-West derby.