Palpable panic has gripped clubs battling against relegation in the 2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as the hitherto whipping boys, MFM of Lagos appears to have recovered their lost form in time for the ongoing relegation dogfight.
Although, they were rooted permanently at the base of the NPFL table, since the arrival of Festus Allen as the new technical adviser of the ‘Church Boys’, they have not lost a match.
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After they were pummelled 5-0 by table toppers Rivers United in Port-Harcourt in week 27, the club that was rightly tagged relegation-bound returned home to beat fellow strugglers, Kano Pillars 2-1 in Ijebu Ode in week 28.
MFM then travelled to Ibadan where they forced 3SC to a 1-1 draw before Sunday’s convincing 3-1 win at home over the more illustrious Gombe United in their week 30 match.
With Sunday’s victory over the ‘Savannah Scorpions’ of Gombe, the ‘Olukoya Boys’ left the bottom of the log for the first time in recent weeks to occupy the 19th spot with 31 points to spark worry in the hearts of fellow relegation-threatened clubs.
With 31 points from 30 matches, MFM have suddenly become a serious threat to other clubs like Lobi Stars, Heartland, Niger Tornadoes, Katsina United and Abia Warriors who are hovering around the drop zone.
Only five points now separate MFM from Abia Warriors who occupy the 14th position with 36 points.
An official of one of the relegation troubled clubs who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity said what MFM are doing is a source of concern to most clubs in the murky waters of relegation.
“Most of us don’t understand what is happening. All of a sudden, MFM have ‘returned to life’ and are winning matches.
“After everyone concluded that their victory over Kano Pillars was a fluke, they went to Ibadan and forced 3SC to a 1-1 draw.
“And on Sunday, they defeated Gombe United 3-1 to move up to the 19th position. They need just two wins away from home to survive the drop.
“We are now looking over our shoulders because, after Dakkada, nobody knows who will be dragged down by MFM again,” he said.
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