5-star Mahanaim settle scores with Rose FA
Mahanaim FC went ballistic on Wednesday night, beating Fine Trust FA by 5-0 at the Sunrise Pitch in Asokoro.
The encounter was a rematch between the two teams, seven months after their first meeting, when Fine Trust FA displayed strong resilience to neutralise Mahanaim FC at home and force a goalless draw at the Mahanaim Arena on March 14.
Seven months later, the two teams met under the bright lights at Sunrise Park, where a lush green turf set the tone for a great game.
Now guided by renowned coach Tope Bulus, Fine Trust FA came into the match determined to utilise home advantage, with the field being closer to home for them. Meanwhile, a new-look Mahanaim FC also went into the match with only one intention: to win.
Mahanaim stuck to its regular 4-3-3 formation and confronted Fine Trust's attacking intensity with a fierce response, as the early exchanges were quite ferocious. With Habeeb Abdulqadri on the attacking left, Abdullahi Dahiru on the right, and Ahmed Sodiq leading the line, the Hot Boys attacked from all angles.
Abdullahi Dahiru won a free-kick 20 yards from goal late in the first half, which was expertly converted by Sodiq Wasiu in the 44th minute. He left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot as the ball went in low through the bottom-right corner to give Mahanaim a 1-0 lead going into the half-time break.
The Hot Boys continued piling on the pressure immediately after the second half got underway, having sensed that their opponents were running low on energy. That strategy paid off in the 56th minute as Ahmed Sodiq took on two defenders and the goalkeeper before delivering a sublime finish with his left foot to increase Mahanaim's tally to two goals.
Not long after, Abdullahi made way for young striker Ibrahim Musa, who immediately made his presence felt after latching onto a combination header from Ahmed Sodiq. Musa blasted the ball into the net for the third goal in the 68th minute.
Four minutes later, Ibrahim Musa completed his brace with a cool finish, tapping in a pass from Habeeb to make it 4-0.
Habeeb Abdulqadri then put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute with a beautiful solo goal. He took on the defenders and dribbled his way into the box before slotting the ball into the net to cap a sensational night for Mahanaim FC.
The Hot Boys have now scored a combined nine unanswered goals in their last two games to continue a fine run of form.
Coach: Saheed Jimoh
