MFM FC’s Olatunbosun: Rave Of The Moment

Last Friday’s goal by MFM’s Sikiru Olatunbosun in the 2-1 defeat of the Nigerian league’s defending champion, Enugu Rangers, is still the talking point among followers of the increasingly entertaining Nigerian league.

It was not just the goal that proved to be awesome but the build-up to the goal was majestic and could go for television exhibition.

At about 31st minute of the floodlit match, Julius Emiloju beat Rangers’ Chinedu Udeagha.  He floated the ball into the path of Chukwuka Onuwa and with three touches; he left Godwin Aguda for dead and scooped the ball to Stephen Odey who had Camara Aziz closing him down.

Odey rather than control, flicked the ball to Olatunbosun. The MFM winger did the unthinkable with just two touches on the ball.

His first touch was to chip pass the ball over Etim to set up himself up. The second, he smashed the ball, left-footed, leaving Rangers goalkeeper Itodo Akor clay-footed.

That piece of magic by Olatunbosun has earned rave reviews across the globe from respected media outlets and football people.

French influential daily sports newspaper, L’Equipe simply described the goal in a short remark as “a magnificent goal in Nigeria.”

Kennedy Boboye, head coach of league leaders in Nigeria, Plateau United, also chipped in and believes that it is one of the best goals he has seen in his country’s top flight.

Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo, feels Etim did not do enough to deny Olatunbosun time and space before the goal and his goalkeeper Akor “was out of position.” But he still rates the goal highly.

“My right-back didn’t close him down and my keeper was out of position and take nothing away from it, it was a fine goal,” said Amapakabo.

Already there are calls in some quarters for the goal to be included for the 2017 Puskas award, which FIFA uses to recognise the best goal in the year.

Surely Olatunbosun’s goal and his team’s 2-1 win over Nigerian champions, Rangers, took the shine off another exquisite goal by Bobby Clement in the same game.