With seven games to draw the curtain on the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Lagos-based MFM FC must strive to win Remo Stars in the Match Day 32 fixtures.
The NewsGuru reports that the Church Boys nursing the tall ambition to win the coveted NPFL trophy must enter the game with the mindset to pick a win.
A win for means they are forging ahead to winning the competition.
They should win against the relegation threatened Remo Stars in Sagamu on Sunday; an obviously easiest away fixture for them in their remaining matches of the season.
In the matches ahead, considering other two contenders to the NPFL title, table toppers Plateau United FC of Jos and Akwa United FC of Uyo, MFM must win at Remo.
They are in dire need of the away points to consolidate their position on the league table bearing in mind that they have tough away games ahead as other contenders.
The Olukoya Boys after playing Remo Stars will face Plateau United away in the Match Day 34 and also tackle 14th placed Abia Warriors in the Match Day 36 fixtures.
MFM will then play their last 2016/2017 NPFL match away to an equally title chasing Ladan Bosso side of El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri that are fifth on the log. This is considered an uphill task.
In all, MFM has four away matches in which 12 points may not be feasible except miracle happens, although they also have three home matches.
The Fidelis-Ilechukwu side has a date at home with Enyimba FC of Aba on Match Day 33, Gombe United on Match Day 35, and Nasarawa United Match Day 38.
The team therefore, needs to gather three points away to compliment the home matches because winning all the remaining home matches to will only fetch them 61 points.
However, 61 points may not be enough for MFM to be crowned champions of the league because they will be two points shy of 63 points Rangers gathered to win the league last season.
On the other hand, table toppers Plateau United only need to consolidate by winning all their three home matches to gather 67 points to be crown champions.
The Kennedy Boboye-tutored side has some tough away matches ahead. They play Kano Pillars in the Match Day 33.
They will also face the hurdle of 18th placed ABS FC of Ilorin and 15th placed Wikki Tourist of Bauchi on Match Day 35 and 37 respectively.
The Savannah Boys could, however, go on to win the league with the remaining home matches with Shooting Stars of Ibadan on Match Day 32, MFM, and Rivers United on Match Day 34 and 36 respectively.
Plateau United will play their last game of the season against the incumbent champions Rangers International of Enugu at home in the Match Day 38.
The third places team, Akwa-United could also spring surprise as they are not outsiders in the three-horse-race to win the league as they currently have 51 points only one separating them from MFM.
The Abdu Makaiba-tutored team has same home matches as MFM. They trade tackle with Niger Tornadoes, Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars on Match Day 34, 36 and 38 respectively.
The Promise Keepers will play away to El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Sunshine Stars of Akure, FC Ifeanyi Uba and Shooting Stars of Ibadan on Match Day 32, 33, 35, and 37 respectively.
The Uyo-based team must seek to have at least one away win and a draw to measure up to winning the league title as wining all their home matches will only fetch them 60 points.
However, for MFM, the South western derby Day 32 against the Fatai Osho-tutored side could be the turning point needed to make the league crowning go to the wire.
The Olukoya Boys should have no trouble dispatching the Sky Blue Stars as they have nothing to lose if they are beaten at home. Only miracle can save Remo Stars relegation from elite division.
MFM had previously dispatched the debutant Remo in the Match Day 12 encounter 1-0 in Agege. So, they must do all they can to put a double edge sword on their southwest rivals.
Speaking on the importance of the match, MFM’s spokesman, Olawale Quadri, said that his team was battle-ready against the lowly placed Remo Stars.
“We are aware of their position on the league and also conscious of our efforts at winning the league. We are fully prepared for the game. We will always push for a win.
“Remo Stars position on the log has nothing to do with our aspiration, the management, coach and players are on the same page of aspiration and by God’s grace it is achievable.
“Its not only in Remo that we can win, we can also win elsewhere, that is football and even in what many may see as the most difficult away match,’’ he said.