Abubakar Bukola Saraki, ABS Ilorin FC recorded a solitary goal victory over Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry, MFM FC in the Matchday 7 of Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL encounter on Thursday.
Samuel Oyedeji converted a 74th spot kick to give the Saraki Boys the needed win after left back Anaekwe Ebuka was brought down by Stanley Okorom.
The Olukoya Boys had their impressive run into the league on the bounce of three games unbeaten snapped as they failed to make a meaningful impact in the first half.
Their only flash at goal came within sixth minutes of the game when Adebayo Waheed's goal waived offside.
Mohammed Mohammed had his shot goes wide in the 12th minutes after gaining a good pass from Metu. MFM captain Kenedinum Nelson gifted from a loosed ABS defense but he couldn't capitalized well on it as he flashed wide his effort.
MFM keeper Egbe Ospino became a brick-wall between ABS and a goal with his numerous point blank saves. First was Metu who thought he had connected a cross into the net but was denied by the bulky shot stopper. Next was Issa Gata who could have scored from 10 yards but Ospino did well to punches wide, and Metu failed to convert the rebound.
The last chance of first half came from ABS from a free kick as Ernest Governor rose to head Arinze Oyota's free kick at goal, but Ospino again gathered.
The second half of the tension soaked encounter began with ABS attacking in numbers and almost got the leading goal from Governor whose shot went inch wide from goal.
The boys of Coach Henry Makinwa protested for a penalty in the 68th minutes when MFM's Bashiru Monsuru was adjudged to have used his hand to deny Gata's shot to test Ospino but the center referee didn't show interest in their wailing.
But the home side would later got their chance to take the lead in the 73rd minutes when Anaekwe Chukwuebuka was tripped by Stanley Okorom after gaining entrance into the box. Oyedeji would stepped forward to convert the resultant spot kick.
The goal lifted MFM's spirit to show seriousness and came out smoking with the zeal to level up the scoreline.
Stephen Odey was brought in to add up the numbers of MFM attackers but couldn't make an impact.
Boje did justice with few of the Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu's tutored side chances to protect the lead which eventually became the winning goal for ABS FC.
Head coach of ABS, Henry Makinwa who admitted that it was an hard earned victory over a technically sounded MFM side noted that his side would improve their performance in their next game against Sunshine Stars on Sunday in Akure.
"It wasn't an easy match as you've all seen, MFM is a very good side tactically and have a good coach as well, they came to get at least a point here but it was a game of individual brilliance that brought the penalty and we are lucky to win because it could have been them winning or draw,"
We are going to Akure with the mindset if getting a win or a point, as you know no match is easy this time but we are going to give our best," Makinwa said.
His counterpart from MFM side, Fidelis Ilechukwu disclosed that defeat to ABS was unfortunate but drew positives from the game despite defeat as he Team was able to get three points from two away games just as he believed.
"The working one" he's fondly called however said MFM would make good use of the break (MFM will not play on Sunday as their next opponent, Rivers United will be on continental duty) to prepare his team ahead of their next fixtures.
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