High-flying Mailantarki boys were too good for the Owerri-based Kun Khalifat FC by producing a 3-nil scoreline to book a place in the 2022 Nationwide League One NLO Super 8 at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
The lads were hit with an early scare in the must-win encounter just a few minutes after the blast of the first whistle as the center referee pointed the spot in favor of Kun Khalifat FC after a challenge in our box, but our goalie Edward Ameh roused to the occasion with a glorious dive to his left to parry Uchenna Ujokwu’s penalty kick to the delight of MCFC bench.
Young star forward Sadeeq Muhammed’s determination deep in the opponent’s half earned him a goal after capitalizing on a defensive gaffe to strike home from the edge of Kun Khalifat’s box 2 minutes after the quarter-hour mark for the only goal of the first half.
The tactically minded Mailantarki gaffer Umar Zango made a triple change before the restart as he replaced cautioned players Abdulazeez Maiyadi and Jabir Hassan for Gabriel Chimezie and Joel Zakariah while Ibrahim Sani made ways for Miko Dalha.
Two of the substitute went ahead to record their respective names on the scoresheet with Gabrie Chimezie producing an instant impact from outside box after combining beautifully with another substitute Joel Zakariah to beat Madukaego at the center with a powerful thunder strike just three minutes after the restart.
Few minutes after our goalie Edward Ameh produced another heroic double save from close range to deny Chijioke Ekpemadu, Miko Dalha the Dana Cup highest goal come to the limelight to put the game to bed by netting his first goal of the tourney after heading into the far post off Sadiq Muhammed left-footed delivery from the left flank.
The result means Mailantarki boys will slug it out against Lagos-based Madiba FC in the 2022 NLO Super 8 final scheduled on Saturday 8th October by 3 pm Nigerian time.
This is our fourth major finals in one year of existence and if we eventually emerge victorious on Saturday, that means we secured three major trophies including the prestigious two European Youth Championships Dana Cup and Norway Cup recently won at the International tour.
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