After a 0-2 loss to Lagos-based MFM FC, Nasarawa United’s Coach Kabiru Dogo says the team will return to winning ways as soon as the club recruits new strikers.
Dogo made the assertion on Thursday in Lagos when he spoke about the team’s poor performance in the current Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nasarawa United had failed to consolidate on its famous Match Day 20 win over last year’s league winners, Enyimba International of Aba.
They had defeated Enyimba 2-1 in the encounter last Saturday at Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
The team, however, suffered another defeat as it lost to league debutants, MFM at Agege Stadium in a mid-week Match Day 20 fixture.
The defeat has enabled MFM FC to complete a double over the Solid Miners which they had defeated 2-1 at Aper Aku Stadium in their season’s opener.
Nasarawa United has recorded 12 loses and 8 wins in their current campaign in the NPFL, leaving them on the 15th position on the log with 24 points.
Reacting to the loss to MFM, Dogo conceded that MFM was not a push over because they merited their promotion into the premier league but added that Nasarawa would bounce back.
“Losing both legs to MFM cannot be regarded as something unusual because they merited their place in the league; any team playing in the premier league is good enough.
“Another reason that I think was responsible for our loss may be fatigue, it is not easy travelling for two days from the North to honour a match in Lagos.
“We arrived in Lagos on Tuesday.
“I can assure our fans that we will bounce back to winning ways because we have played some other big teams and we have won them, so others cannot scare us.
“We are presently planning to recruit some strikers to join our team and as soon as we finished we will bounce back to reckoning; we have the backing of our government,’’ he said.
MFM on the other hand has consolidated its winning streak and has yet to record home loss in its first shot at NPFL season, while other top teams had experienced losses.
Although MFM cannot boast of hundred per cent record at home due to some stalemated matches, they have yet to taste defeat in Agege Stadium even against the top teams.
In the present campaign, MFM has played 19 matches, won 8, drew 6 and lost 5; it garnered 30 points and placed 7th on the log.
Their coach, Fidelis Illechukwu, said the team’s successes could be attributed to the free hands to operate offered to him by the management of the club.
“We are enjoying the management’s support and are not under any pressure; we are not given any target, we just want to consolidate our position in the league.
“We have many things to learn from as we progress in the league, then we will be talking about how to improve which will come later.
“MFM is also considering injecting fresh blood into the team during this transfer window and as soon we are able to get that we will be firing on all cylinders,’’ he said.
NAN reports that two first half goals from Sikiru Olatunbosun gave MFM a convincing win over Nasarawa United in Match Day 20 fixtures.
The host began the game with the first kick of the ball and got the first shot on target through striker, Isah Akor after eight minutes of play.
Nasarawa United’s goalkeeper, Surah Ayeleso, pulled a great save to deny the Olukoya Boys the match opener.
Olatunbosun, who put up a Man-Of-The-Match performance, put MFM in front in the 18th minute with a fine volley when he connected a swift pass from Stephen Odey.
The dazzling left-winger completed his brace with a low shot 10 minutes after the first goal off an assist from Akor.
The 2-0 win over Nasarawa United has taken the Olukoya Boys who were placed on the 9th spot on the table to the sixth position with 30 points from 19 league matches.
MFM will play its Match Day 21 fixture away to Rivers United at Adikiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday. (NAN)