One of the star players of NPFL Lagos-based MFM FC, Sikiru Olatunbosun has confirmed a switch from the Nigeria Professional Football League side to 2017 champions, Plateau United.
Olatubosun has been a constant fixture with MFM since they gained promotion into the first division in 2015.
A fan favourite Sikiru once scored a goal at the Agege Soccer Temple Stadium which was awarded the CNN Goal of the Week.
On 24 February 2017 in a match against defending champions Enugu Rangers Olatunbosun took down a back-heel flick from teammate Stephen Odey and then improvised with a flick of his own over with his right foot over Rangers defender Emmanuel Etim and although off balance managed to hit an unstoppable left-footed volley into the top corner. The match ended with MFM prevailing 2–1 but Olatunbosun’s goal gained widespread attention over the internet and was nominated for the CNN goal of the week award.
This 'Heavenly' strike from @MFMFC_Lagos's Sikiru Olatunbosun has to be a contender for the 2017 Best @FIFAcom Puskas award. @LMCNPFL pic.twitter.com/HAY9iIWq1O
— Tayo Salaam (@CTV_TayoS) February 25, 2017
Only one Nigerian (Kelechi Iheanacho) had ever won the award before for a goal in an international match against Tanzania and no Nigerian Premier League player had ever even been nominated for the award. On 4 March, it was announced that Olatunbosun’s goal had indeed won the CNN award gathering more than 80 percent of the vote.
Congratulations to Sikiru Olatunbosun, winner of the latest CNN Goal of the Week! pic.twitter.com/9hncedUlol
— CNN Football (@CNNFC) March 3, 2017
Afterwards, Olatunbosun’s strike was also widely totted as worthy of the Puskas Award and mentions of it were published in Spanish, Brazilian, French, Italian, and British newspapers. Olatunbosun said afterwards that the goal was because of the grace of God, adding that he hoped that MFM F.C. would qualify for Africa’s continental championship at the end of the season. The goal brought him international recognition and was once linked with a move abroad after he left for trails. He returned to MFM as they finished second in the 2017/18 season to Plateau United, which is the club’s highest in the professional league.
Sikiru’s strike against Rangers won the 2017 Goal of the Year at the NFF Awards held this year.
He was linked with a move to several French Ligue 2 sides and was expected to complete a move but did not go through.
New challenge ⚽
New environment ⚽
New friends ⚽ pic.twitter.com/OicnzBJHiF— Sikiru Olatunbosun (@Skolatunbosun) December 11, 2018
Sikiru took to his official Twitter account to confirm he has switched sides after the move to Europe did not go through. In the confirmation, Sikiru posted a series of pictures accompanied with a message which said, “New challenge, New environment, New friends.”
The NPFL resumption date is yet to be determined but Sikiru is expected to start the season with Plateau United while his former strike partner Stephen Odey is at Switzerland giants FC Zurich