High-flying Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club, MFM FC lost the final of the 4th edition of Nigeria's most prestigious pre-season tournament, Gold Cup Preseason Soccer Tournament to Lobi Stars Football Club 4-3 on penalties on Sunday evening in Ijebu-Ode.
MFM FC dominated the entertaining encounter with beautiful passing and dribbling skills as Onuwa Chukwuka, Stephen Odey, Sikiru Olatunbosun and Agbane Candy asserted themselves in the game as Lobi Stars soaked up the pressure from the Olukoya Boys.
The introduction of Cletus Itodo and Sunday Chris turned things around for the Makurdi-based side in the second half of the match as they gained more possession of the ball but all their efforts to break coach Fidelis Ilechukwu's defence were thwarted by MFM FC's players.
The Olukoya Boys had a penalty appeal waved by the centre referee when Henry Abara who came on for Odey in the 70th minute of the exchange was fouled inside Lobi box 13 minutes after his introduction as he was about to latch onto the ball.
The breathtaking match ended 0-0 for both teams as they headed for a penalty shoot out.
MFM FC goalkeeper, Nasamu Emmanuel pulled three great saves during the penalty shootout but his heroic performance could not safe the day for his teammates as they failed to convert their spot kicks.
The Food Basket team who defeated Kano Pillars FC 3-1 in the semi-finals of the tourney claimed the trophy with a 4-3 penalty win over Gold Cup debutants, MFM FC.
Ilechukwu and his wards will return to Lagos on Monday as they continue their preparations for the new Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season billed to kick off this December.
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