In our first home match of the new year, Ikorodu City FC thumped northern giants Kano Pillars 4-1 in Matchday 21 of the Nigeria Premier Football League, played behind closed doors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

LINEUP: Oluwadamilare Aina; Waliu Ojetoye, Uzondu Harrison, Chibuike Oheagbulam, Ngenge Leonard; Onwe Kelechi, Salau Yusuf, Olatunji Abdulmalik; Adelani Shola, Toyeeb Ajeyigbe & Emmanuel Solomon. 

Oga Boys began the game in brilliant fashion, taking an early lead in the 3rd minute from a Salau Yusuf corner. Adelani Shola, left unmarked, reacted quickly with a near post header to register his fourth goal in three matches.

Following the early lead, Ikorodu City controlled the tempo of the game and nearly doubled the advantage. In the 20th minute, Harrison Uzondu capitalized on another Salau Yusuf corner, powering his shot into the net to make it 2-0.

The visitors pulled one back in the 37th minute through Abba Adam, after Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa won a corner. The ball fell to Adam, who fired a shot past goalkeeper Oluwadamilare Aina.

Just before halftime, Oga Boys almost restored the two goal cushion as Toyeeb Ajeyigbe was played through on goal by Salau, but his shot went off target as we went into the break with a slim 2-1 lead.

The second half saw an improved performance from the team as we maintained better control of the ball and stayed compact. Once again, our set-piece dominance proved crucial. In the 54th minute, Harrizon’s corner caused problems for the Pillars’ defense, leading to an own goal by Rabiu Ali at the near post.

In the 70th minute, Coach Nurudeen Aweroro made a double substitution, introducing Ayomide Cole and Freedom Marvelous for Toyeeb Ajeyigbe and Harrison Uzondu to add fresh legs.

The change paid off in the 73rd minute, as Olatunji Abdulmalik turned provider, putting substitute Cole through on goal. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Cole calmly slotted the ball into the net, registering his fifth goal of the season.

With the game winding down, in the 83rd minute, our gaffer Aweroro handed academy striker Malik Musa his professional debut, replacing Emmanuel Solomon, while mid-season signing Victor Ekujah also made his first appearance for the club.

The game ended in a 4-1 victory for Ikorodu City FC, a commanding response to avenge our first top flight defeat to the northern giants earlier in the season.

UP NEXT:

Following this impressive win, we now turn our attention to Matchday 22, where we take on defending champions Rangers International at the Cathedral with an opportunity to avenge our home defeat in the reverse fixture.

SUBSTITUTES

OUT: Toyeeb Ajeyigbe IN: Ayomide Cole 70’

OUT: Austin Harrison IN: Freedom Marvelous 70’

OUT: Emmanuel Solomon IN: Malik Musa 83’

OUT: Waliu Ojetoye IN: Victor Ekujah 83’

OUT: Shola Adelani IN: Folarin Temitope 90+1’