NPFL: MFM blames loss to Warri Wolves on waterlogged pitch

Lagos-based MFM FC has blamed its Sunday’s 0-1 loss to Warri Wolves in the Match Day 11 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League on the waterlogged pitch in Warri, Delta State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that MFM has now lost three away games with the first 0-3 to 3SC of Ibadan on Match Day 7.
It has also lost to Heartland of Owerri 0-1 before the last game against the Warri Sea-siders.
The Olukoya Boys are now eight on the log after 11 matches, including four wins, four draws and three loses.
On the match, the MFM Media Officer, Olawale Quadri, told NAN that the Sea-siders were the better side for the day, claiming that the waterlogged pitch affected their game.
Quadric said: “It was a bad day for us at the Warri City Stadium in spite of dominating the game in the first five minutes; Warri Wolves only shot at the goal in the first half.
“We had our free kick three minutes into the encounter, which was taken by Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, but Warri Wolves goalkeeper, Rhogbere Tejiri, pushed the ball away for a corner kick.
“We did not find the game easy as the rain restricted the bounce and movement of the ball, thus making it very hard for the players to string passes together.
“We are now focusing on our next match against Wikki Tourists in Match Day 12 coming up this weekend at the Agege Stadium.”
Also, MFM Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, told NAN on telephone that the game was a good one, adding that the team was only pegged back by the waterlogged pitch.
Ilechukwu said: “The game was a good one and no other issue only that the pitch was waterlogged and we are not able to play good football.”
On goalkeeping, Ilechukwu said the club did not miss the two first choice goalkeepers, adding that the fitness issue with the club’s striker would be addressed.
NAN reports that the MFM’s two first choice goalkeepers were on injured prior to the match against the Warri Wolves.
MFM’s first choice goalkeeper, James Aiyeyemi, sustained an injury during the Federation Cup final, while the second choice goalkeeper, Abayomi Folarin, was substituted during the Match Day 10 clash with Rangers.
In the absence of the two goalkeepers, third choice goalkeeper, Egbe Ospina, was called to action and has now proven to be a worthy replacement for the two first choice goalkeepers.
On fitness of the club’s first choice striker, Musa Newman, who was accused of underperforming by supporters, Ilechukwu rose to his defence.
He said: “The issue of our striker, Musa Newman, arose from the supporters of the club.
“They are the ones complaining about his lapses.
“I am the coach and I take full responsibility of who plays in a game with my assessment of the players.
“I don’t listen to the supporters to determine my tactics.
“So, for now he is one of our best strikers.
“I think what affected him is a fatigue from consistent club assignments.
“I think he is tired that is why I am giving him some time to rest, maybe for two or three games.
“He is still one of the best strikers we have in MFM.”
NAN.