January 16, 2019, the Olukoya Boys under the tutelage of Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu defeated Harmony Boys 2-0 in the first round of 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League [NPFL], leaving a spot at Lagos very much at stake for both teams in the return leg in Ilorin.
Harmony Boys dominated the match and created the better scoring opportunities but Olukoya Boys defended stubbornly at home and neither side was able to break the stalemate in a tensed but scrappy Match Day 2. Eventually, the first half ended goalless.
After the half time match analyses and pep talk in the dressing room, by the technical head, Coach Abubakar Bala, Harmony Boys filed out for the 2nd half with great optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well. In a disposition to expect the best in all thing as a realist, which is not always obvious in football circle because of some salient variables.
The first two minutes of the second half was a ding dong affairs. The third minute ignited topsy turvy in the camp of the visiting team. No thanks to Segun Alebiosu, who inadvertently nodded the ball into the goal he was defending at the 48th minute of the encounter. The goal was not as a result of any form of pressure on Segun or the team, but as a result of lack of communication before Alebiosu Segun was barged behind by a desperately running Olukoya attacker which added force to Alebiosu nodding.
Alebiosu Segun with indefatigable energy, remained unruffled after the mistake. Obviously, he was free from emotional agitation or nervous tension throughout the game. What a strong mind? He employed ubiquitous moves severally without yielding a positive result, yet he was unrelented. Segun worked tirelessly throughout the encounter as a hilt of the weapon, unfortunately, everything defied logic for him and the team.
At 76′ a mobile Adeniji Kabir made it two goals to nothing with a perfect header for MFM FC, through a well connected long pass from the left flank to the right flank. His pace could be likened to grease lightning, his efforts added salt to the existing injury of the visitors.
Despite the missed opportunities in both halves by the attacking foray of Harmony Boys, Coach Bala said he was thrilled with his team’s overall performance and confident of winning the return leg in home soil. According to him, “We are just missing that clinical edge, honestly we have learnt a lot which we have worked on. We have got some fresh legs, highly dedicated and determined youngsters from the age groups of the national team. This time we will go hard, we will put the pedal down and go as hard as we can. MFM will find it hard to keep up with us”
By and large, outwitting our opponents today, we must be explosive in our bursts with great stamina; with a swift and nimble move that requires quick thinking and even quicker feet, am convinced that Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry Football Club camp will be thrown to pandemonium. Honestly peed in football is an important factor in determining the outcome of games. Readiness, youthfulness and determination will surely wreck Olukoya Boys in Ilorin today.
Previous League’s Meetings:
2017/2018:
MFM FC 1-0 KWUFC
KWUFC 3-1 MFM FC
2018/2019:
MFM FC 2-0 KWUFC
League Standings:
Kwara United tentatively occupies 10th position with 15 points amassed from 12 games.
MFM FC comfortably tops the group with 3 points difference from the runner up. Ahead with 23 points out of 13 games played.
KWARA UNITED NEXT FIVE MATCHES
07/04/19 MD 14 KWUFC vs MFM
10/04/19 MD 6 KWUFC vs RANGERS
14/04/19 MD 15 ENYIMBA vs KWUFC
21/04/19 MD 16 KWUFC vs INSURANCE
28/04/19 MD 17 KWUFC vs LOBI STARS
Winning the first double home will take us to 3rd or 4th position, considering the results of other matches in the group. Winning the second double home will stabilize us in a comfort zone, yet we must not relent.
The remaining two [2] home matches must be won too, this simply means we must not drop any point again. Any additional point/points from the remaining four [4] away matches will confirm us eligible for the play off.
What is my role towards achieving this, where do I belong?
Please read between the lines. Competing at the highest level is not about winning. It is about preparation, courage, understanding and nurturing of your weapons [players] and heart, winning is the result.
It is an incontrovertible statement that winning is not something that happens suddenly on the field when the whistle blows and the crowds roar. Winning is something that builds physically and mentally everyday that you train, every night that you dream and everyday that we encourage our players.
Honestly, genuine praise and encouragement can be more effective in creating a positive environment than tangible rewards. Discordant statements will not help us, we have to remain optimistic and solidly stand behind our team.
