Ikorodu City FC displayed resilience to earn a 1-1 draw against Remo Stars FC in a pulsating SouthWest derby of matchay 17 of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Mobolaji Johnson Areana.

Despite the absence of captain Waliu Ojetoye, who was away on national team duty, Tosin Oyedokun stepped up to wear the armband and led the team admirably in this fiercely contested encounter.

LINEUP: Faith James; Harrison Uzondu, Chibuike Oheagbulam, Freedom Marvelous; Olatunji Abdulmalik, Tosin Oyedokun, Moses Shodeinde; Alade Solomon,Alade Solomon, Chineme Chinonso & Adelani Shola.

The game began with a high intensity as both teams tried to fight for supremacy in the midfield with the visitors having a better opportunity at goal. The early dominance from the Visitors paid off as they  took an early lead through Shaibu Ibrahim who benefited from a throw-in to slot the ball past goalkeeper Faith James after center-back Leonard Ngenge was caught out of position.

The visitors nearly doubled their advantage in the 10th minute, but center-back Prestige Chibuike came to the rescue with a crucial clearance off the line to keep Ikorodu City in the game. Oga Boys had a chance to equalize in the 17th minute, but Shola Adelani’s effort went straight into the goalkeeper’s gloves.

In the 40th minute, Ikorodu City came close again, forcing the Remo Stars goalkeeper into a brilliant double save, first denying Malik’s strike and then blocking Shola’s follow up with the visitors maintaining their lead into the break.

The second half saw a tweak in the atttack by our guaffer Nurudeen Aweroro with Ayomide Cole replacing Alade Solomon. In the 46th minute, Freedom Marvelous came close to leveling the scores after a perfectly placed through ball from Shola, but his curler was tipped away by the Remo Stars goalkeeper.

The game took a dramatic turn in the 58th minute when Ahmed Akinyele of Remo Stars FC was sent off for dissent after receiving a second yellow card, leaving the visitors to play the remainder of the match with 10 men. Despite the numerical advantage, we almost conceded again after a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper Faith James and Prestige Chibuike.

As the clock ticked down, Oga Boys pushed forward, and our persistence paid off in the 90th minute as substitute Salau Yusuf delivered a perfect cross that Chineme Chinonso headed into the net, sparking wild jubilation from the energetic home crowd.

Ten minutes of stoppage time followed due to a lengthy medical break for Remo Stars goalkeeper, but neither side could find a winner. The draw marked the first time we dropped points at home since the 1-2 defeat to Nasarawa United in the month of September, but it was a performance full of heart and resilience from our young lads.

UP NEXT

Ikorodu City now turn their attention to Matchday 18, where we travel away to Abia Warriors in search of a favorable result away from home. The team will aim to end the year on a good form on the log.

SUBSTITUTES

OUT: Alade Emmanuel IN: Ayomide Cole 45’

OUT: Moses Shodeinde IN: Salau Yusuf 65’

OUT: Freedom Marvelous IN: Adewale Adebayo 90+2’