Ikorodu City FC came from a goal down to complete a 1-2 comeback against Katsina United away from home in the Nigeria Premier Football League matchday eleven fixture in Katsina to register its first win on the road for the season.
The harsh weather up north led to sudden illness of an about five players and two staff of the club, leaving a disturbing headache for interim coach Nurudeen Aweroro ahead of team selection for game.
LINE UP: James Faith; Waliu Ojetoye, Freedom Marvelous, Chibuike Oheagbulam, Uzochukwu Okekeaniokete; Abdulmalik Olatunji, Toyeeb Gidado, Rivio Ayemwenre; Emmanuel Solomon, Solomon Alade & Thankgod Chilaka.
Playing on a ground where the club opened its NPFL register, losing 3-0 to Kano Pillars on opening matchday, Ikorodu City started the game much calmer against the main owners of the ground.
It was however the home side who went in front in the 18th minute when Moses Effiong snuck out a foot to divert a cross from the right past James in goal.
Not relenting, Ikorodu City responded better with good interchange of play leading to the equalizer in the final minute of first half regulation time. Emmanuel Solomon sent a cross from the left that was met by a strong header in the box from a powerful leap of Solomon Alade, bringing us level going into the break.
At the resumption, it was all about game management for the Oga Boys who could leave Katsina with a point but the home side however were determined to stop that. James Faith was called into action, needed to be this best and he surely was, making three crucial saves within 30 minutes of the restart to keep us in the game.
With four changes made in the process, Salau, Austin, Cole and Tosin all joined the game to help see it out and ease the pressure from the home side. After breaking quickly, a well worked build up leading to a dangerous cross from Austin provided the goal scoring opportunity for Emmanuel Solomon who slammed home our second goal, yet again in the final minute, this time of the second half as we played through additional time and grabbed our first victory on the road in the NPFL.
UP NEXT
It’s our first Southwest derby of the NPFL season as we welcome Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan on this weekend.
SUBSTITUTIONS
OUT: Toyeeb Gidado IN: Salau Yusuf 75’
OUT: Solomon Alade IN: Ayomide Cole 86’
OUT: Uzochukwu Okekeaniokete IN: Harrison Uzondu 86’
OUT: Thankgod Chilaka IN: Tosin Oyedokun 86’