Without Odey, Olatunbosun clash with MFM will be tough – Coach Bala

Head Coach of Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala, has predicted a duel against Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club (MFM FC), but said his team will work hard to earn all the three points at stake.

The team nicknamed Ikon Allah will be meeting the Olukoya boys in today’s Match Day 21 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), slated for Lokoja’s Confluence Stadium.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu-led side will be missing two of his key players, Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun, who are in France preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa next month.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Bala described the MFM team, as a good side that is not built around a particular player but work together as a team.

“I believe the match is going to be a tough one, like we know the two sides are mostly youthful, and the fans should expect an entertaining game and equally a difficult one.

“But we are working very hard to see that we get all the three points tomorrow by the grace of God. MFM is a very good side and it is a team that believes in almost all what I believe in coaching – style, the same philosophy,” he said.

The Minna-based team coach, however, added: “I believe in building a team across all the players and not around only one or two players. And that is why when people complain about my goal scorers, I tell them that even a defender in my team should be able to create chances and score,” he stated.