Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 6y

CHAN Eagles set to meet MFM FC in Super Six final

Sunday Faleye's thunderous volley handed the home-based Super Eagles a nervy 1-0 win against Enyimba in the Super Six tournament to set up a final showdown with MFM FC.

The win, the first in the tournament coming in the sixth match, comes as a massive boost for Salisu Yusuf's side following their unconvincing African Nations Championship preparations to date.

They'll now meet MFM at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday as this hurriedly assembled team looks to end their NPFL Invitational campaign on a high.

Yusuf has opted to use the full depth and breadth of his squad during the tournament, and rotated many of his starting line up following the opening meeting with reigning Nigerian champions Plateau United.

It was an entirely new team that was paraded against the People's Elephant, with Faleye and Victor Mbaoma, two youngsters who enjoyed breakthrough seasons last campaign with relegated duo Shooting Stars and Remo Stars, handed opportunities to justify their late inclusion.

Their impressive performances to date have vindicated the coaching crew's decision to include them.

Dayo Ojo ran the show in midfield, the Sunshine Stars man combining with Faleye, but the latter put a good chance over the bar early on.

Mbaoma also saw a thunderous effort cannon back off the upright after being played in by Ojo.

It was third time lucky for the Sunshine Stars man, as one of his delicious deliveries finally led to the opener. It came in the 55th minute, when Faleye connected with an Ojo ball before unleashing a volley past Fatau Dauda.

In the game's late kickoff, Kano Pillars were held to a 1-1 draw by MFM FC, a result which handed the CAF Champions League campaigners a spot in Sunday's final, a fixture which will represent a stern test ahead of their continental debut.

Adekunle Adegboyega ensured a quick-fire start to the contest, handing MFM FC a third-minute lead against the run-of-play with his second goal of the tournament. To their credit, Kano Pillars were level in the 15th minute after Alassan Ibrahim equalised.

Stanley Okorom could have restored MFM's lead when his well struck free kick was punched away by goalkeeper Yusuf Mohammed, but from that point, Pillars dominated and were the only team who looked like nabbing a winner.

Nyima Nwagua, Nzube Anaezemba and Junior Lokosa all went close for the hosts, who ultimately failed to find the winner they needed to replace Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in Sunday's showpiece.

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