Ikorodu City FC continued their impeccable form with a commanding 2-0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors on Matchday 14 of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan. Oga Boys capped off an unbeaten November with another impressive display at home.
In front of a lively home crowd in a midweek fixture , Ikorodu City started the game cautiously, struggling to match the early tempo of the visitors. It was a midfield battle with neither side establishing control in the opening exchanges.
LINEUP: Faith James; Waliu Ojetoye, Harrison Uzondu, Chibuike Oheagbulam, Freedom Marvelous; Olatunji Abdulmalik, Tosin Oyedokun, Salau Yusuf; Alade Solomon, Emmanuel Solomon & Adelani Shola.
The first chance came in the 15th minute when Solomon Alade dribbled past two defenders but could only muster a shot easily saved by the El-Kanemi goalkeeper.
Five minutes later, Ikorodu City almost broke the deadlock. Captain Waliu Ojetoye made a brilliant overlapping run down the right and squared the ball to Salau Yusuf, whose powerful effort struck the crossbar.
El-Kanemi Warriors came close in the 35th minute with a free kick that narrowly missed the target, but Freedom Marvelous made a crucial interception earlier in the move to keep the visitors at bay as the first half ended in a stalemate.
As has been our recent trademark, Oga Boys came alive in the second half. Coach Aweroro made tactical adjustments, bringing on Ayomide Cole and Emmanuel Solomon for Salau Yusuf and Alade Solomon at the restart.
The substitutions paid off quickly in the 62nd minute as Shola Adelani latched onto a perfectly timed ball from Ayo Cole took a touch to set himself up and calmly slotted home to give us the lead.
Fifteen minutes later, the provider turned scorer. Tosin Oyedokun played a beautiful defense splitting pass to find Cole was ran in behind the defender on the left and struck it first time across the goalkeeper to double our advantage.
With the game firmly in hand, Aweroro brought on fresh legs to see out the match. Adelani received a well-deserved standing ovation from the home fans as he made way in the 85th minute for Toyeeb Gidado.
The game ended 2-0 in favor of the lads over the defending champions of the President Federation Cup.
UP NEXT
Ikorodu City now turn their attention to Matchday 15, where they welcome Akwa United on Sunday. The team will look to build the unbeaten run into the festive month of December.
SUBSTITUTES
OUT: Salau Yusuf IN: Emmanuel Solomon 47’
OUT: Alade Solomon IN: Ayomide Cole 47’
OUT: Rivio Ayemwenre IN: Moses Shodeinde 61’
OUT: Adelani Shola IN: Toyeeb Gidado 85’
BOOKINGS
Yellow- Chibuike Prestige Oheagbulam 78’