We weren’t complacent against MFM — Maikaba

Wikki Tourists FC Coach Abdul Maikaba has said that his team was not complacent against MFM in their Sunday’s 0-1 loss to MFM on Match Day 12 in Lagos.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the match that rather than being complacent, his tactics was not sufficient to outplay their opponents.

NAN reports that the match was played before a cheering 5,000 spectators at Agege Stadium.

The Maikaba-tutored side had started the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on a high note by recording a 1-0 on Match Day 1 away win against El-kanemi but drew Hearland of Owerri 0-0 at home.

They have since recorded four wins, four draws, and three losses, which include a 2-1 away loss to Kano Pillars and a 3-0, win against Plateau United at home.

Wikki Tourist was defeated by Rangers International 0-1 in Enugu in Match Day 5 fixtures before bouncing back to record an emphatic 4-0 home bashing of Warri Wolves.

The Savannah boys, after the bashing of Warri Wolves went on to draw game spree in their last three matches with an away 0-0 against Abia Warriors and a 0-0 against Akwa United at home.

The Match Day 11 saw Wikki Tourist play an away 1-1 with Lobi Stars thus recording three draws in a row just in the same manner with their host MFM.

MFM FC on the other hand also had its own fair share of stalemated matches. It played 1-1 against Kano Pillars at home and drew 1-1 with
Plateau United in an away fixture.

It also drew and 1-1 with Rangers in an entertaining home match before its away 0-1 loss to Warri Wolves in a Match Day 11 encounter.

NAN also reports that the game against the Tourist brought the Daniel Olukoya boys back to their winning ways after five winless streak in
the NPFL.

In a post-match interview, Maikaba praised his team’s spirited fight against debutants MFM, adding that the loss to their hosts was not as a result of complacency.

“Our team does not live on its image but the results it gets though the fans cannot be satisfied with the effort or the football we played.

“We put in a lot of efforts as you see in all our matches, the players themselves knew the importance of winning, but we did not get
the desired result today, even a draw.

“We did everything to win and there is no blame attached to anyone of them. During the week, we ask for courage to be solid and that is
what we got in the game.

“I told the players to keep on pushing and maybe, we can get at least a draw, but that did not happen, what else can we do?

Maikaba also praised their hosts, saying that they were worthy winners though their loss was a painful one.

“ MFM is a quality side too, and we showed we can stand up to them. We must face our remaining game in a relaxed manner and compete in every one of them.

“ I was very pleased with the team’s performance. It is a painful result because it is a defeat, but nobody can say anything about my
players,’’ he said.

On his part, MFM Coach, Fidelis Illechukwu, said the victory against Lobi Stars has put off pressure on him and given him confidence to achieve the team’s target.

“I am a bit relaxed now because the match is one that we must win to brighten our position in the league and I am happy we won.

“We will not allow the victory to get into our heads because we still have some difficult matches ahead of us.

“We cannot afford to be carried away with this victory, we will continue to work hard so that we can achieve our target at the end of
the season,’’ he said.

NAN reports that a clinical 34th minute goal from teenage striker, Stephen Odey gave the MFM the needed three points.

Wikki Tourists only attempt on goal came in the 28th minute when Idris Guda fired a shot from 20 metres but MFM FC goalkeeper, Egbe Ospino made a brilliant save.

MFM defence led by stand-in Captain, Austine Opara and Obanor Erhun prevented Godwin Obaje from equalising for the away team in the 48th minute.

MFM winger, Sikiru Olatunbosun, was a toast of many at the Stadium as he put up a Man of the-Match performance for the hosts.

He tormented Wikki’s defence with his runs and dribbles; his blistering performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

The crucial win has taken MFM FC to fourth position on the 20-team NPFL table with 19 points from 12 league matches, while Wikki Tourists still occupy the seventh spot with 16 points.