Ikorodu City FC’s first-ever home match in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Rangers International in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League 2024/2025 Matchday 2 fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

LINE UP: Faith James; Harrison Austin, Waliu Ojetoye (C), Chibuike Oheagbulam, Freedom Marvelous, Leonard Ngenge; Kelechi Onwe, Salau Yusuf, Tosin Oyedokun; Ayomide Cole & Chineme Chinonso.

In the presence of home fans, Oga Boys began the game in a nervy fashion as Rangers International dominated the early exchanges. Ikorodu City eventually found their rhythm, with Tosin Oyedokun threading a pass to Salau Yusuf, who put Waliu Ojetoye through on goal. Ojetoye dazzled with a dribble past three defenders before being fouled just outside the penalty box, winning a dangerous free-kick. Tosin took the set piece, but the Rangers wall blocked the effort.

Rangers broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error as Ugwueze Chinemerem was left unmarked by Onwe Kelechi and powered a header into the net from a corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. 

Ikorodu City nearly equalized in the 41st minute, as Prestige Chibuike met a corner with a header, but it failed to hit the target. The first half ended with Rangers still holding their slim advantage.

The OgaBoys side improved in the second half following a substitution by head coach Bright, who brought on Ezekiel Samuel to replace forward Chineme Chinonso. Our defender Freedom Marvelous, who rose highest to meet Waliu’s cross came close to scoring, but his header went off target. In the dying minutes of added time, Ayomide Cole turned sharply in the box, but his shot was directed straight at the Rangers goalkeeper, sealing the visitors’ 1-0 victory in Lagos.

UP NEXT

Oga Boys host Nasarawa United on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena and will look to secure a first win of the season against the fellow promoted NNL team.

SUBSTITUTIONS 

OUT: Chineme Chinonso IN: Ezekiel Samuel 48’

OUT: Harrison Austin  IN: Emmanuel Solomon  75’

OUT: Emmanuel Ezekiel IN: Moses Sodeinde 75’

BOOKINGS

Anayor Ogbonna- Rangers Int’l (yellow)

Kazeem Ogunleye- Rangers Int’l (yellow x2) red