By Jahrock Ujewe,
Warri Wolves continued their impressive streak of picking priceless results on the road, as their host, MFM FC of Lagos, had to come from a goal down to force the Seasiders to a 1 – 1 draw in a Matchday 4 fixture of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
It was the second time in the current campaign that Wolves, who are unbeaten in their last five NPFL games, had gone ahead in an away tie and the home team had to savage a point from them.
In the early exchanges at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, MFM dominated proceedings, as the Prayer Warriors put the visitors on the back foot.
However, Warri Wolves gradually began to find their play rhythm when Williams Sunday made a surging run into the box from the left flank in the 31 minutes and was brought down.
But the resultant appeals for a penalty did not go down with the central referee from Bornu State, Grema Mohammed, as he gave a no penalty verdict.
In the 34 minutes, Amadi Samuel fired a hot shot from the edge of the box directly at MFM goalkeeper, Folarin Abayomi, after collecting a loose ball.
Seven minutes later, Williams Sunday had a rebound fall for him kindly within the box but he fired it narrowly wide on the left.
Warri Wolves could have gone ahead few seconds before halftime after Egbeta Michael hit a fierce set piece from the edge of the box goal-ward.
Folarin Abayomi managed to gather the ball within his grip to keep MFM in the game, as Warri Wolves finished the first half as the side in the ascendency.
The second half began with high intensity with the two sides showing flashes of finding the back of the net anytime the chance arose.
But it was the Seasiders that pulled the trigger first when they were awarded a freekick from a delicate position within the semi circle, following an infringement on Amadi Samuel earlier.
Striker Moses Omoduemuke fancied his chances, stepped forward, and sumptuously put the ball through the four-man wall to give the Seasiders a 1 – 0 lead, with MFM goalie, Abayomi, rooted to the ground.
That goal gave the visitors the belief to attack the home team relentlessly.
In the 84 minutes, Warri Wolves could have won the game before fulltime. In a quick run of events, Amadi Samuel easily rounded an onrushing Folarin Abayomi in his path.
He had an empty net waiting to receive the ball, but he hit the ball against the wood work.
Respite finally came for MFM when Adeniji Kabiru poked in the equalizer deep into added time to end the tie in a 1 – 1 draw.
Warri Wolves will play their next in the top flight on Sunday, November 24 against Rivers United.
