Ikorodu City were rampant as they cruised to their biggest win of the season, putting four past Osun United without reply, in match day eighteen of the Nigeria National League (NNL) 2022 season.
With squad rotation very important due to the rush and congestion of fixtures, coach Obafemi made four changes to the starting XI from the last league game, as Paul Akor returned to goal, Dalung replaced Gabriel, Michael returned from injury and Paul made another start.
LINE UP: GK: Paul Akor; Sebastine Godwin, Musa Habeeb, Dalung Daniel, Idowu Yusuf; Michael Oyekola , Tosin Oyedokun, Taheer Abubarkar, Godwin Odibo; Paul Ogunkoya & Salami Farouk.
As usual, Ikorodu City started on the front foot at the Legacy Pitch, creating a few half chances but couldn’t convert any of them.
It didn’t take time for the Oga Boys to go in front, as Tosin poked a ball past the goalkeeper from a tight space, after a great run from Paul to release him in the 3rd minute.
Osun United however were better at losing balls than keeping them, as they could not cope with the high press of Ikorodu City and the second goal came on the 20th minute mark, as Taheer arrived at the end of a shot across the face of goal from Farouk. It’s Taheer’s second goal from the same position in the space of 3 days.
We went into the break two up and the start of the second half spelt a rejuvenated Osun United side, who found a way to keep the ball more and away from Ikorodu City, with only the final ball lacking.
A last minutes first half change saw Issa Saheed replace Odibo who was having a hard time and the former extended our lead with the first goal of the second half. Farouk was brought down close to the edge of the box on the right and Issa hit a free kick beautifully beyond the goalkeeper, as it went in off the upright for our third of the evening.
Four changes were made minutes after the the third goal Henry, Gafar, Muiz and goalkeeper Aina came in for the final ten minutes to replace Farouk, Michael, Tosin and Paul Akor and we got our fourth of the game.
Paul held up a ball from the throw and then left it for Taheer to run and then curl one magnificent effort from the edge of the box to beat the goalkeeper and record his brace.
A fine 4-0 win sees Ikorodu City go up to third on the Souther Conference Group B1 table as they face a trip to Gateway United in Matchday 19 this weekend.