The games are coming thick and fast, and it’s showtime once again in the NPFL. We host Kano Pillars at home at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in what will be our first home game of the year 2025.
Flashback to 2024—if anyone had said we would be playing in the top flight, we might have had the tiniest of beliefs. Yet here we are. Back then, in the second-tier NNL, our first home game of the year saw us secure a 2-1 victory against Warri Wolves. Goals from Musa Habeeb and Paul Aderibigbe sealed the win, with Gidado Toyeeb playing a key role in creating one of the goals.
Toyeeb is one of the few players from that game still with us, alongside Tosin Oyedokun, Kelechi Onwe, Ayomide Cole, Aina Oluwadamilare (GK), Waliu Ojetoye, Harrison Austin and Salau Yusuf.
This time, however, our first home game of the year is against a far bigger opponent—a four-time league champion, Kano Pillars. We know this is a game where a win is crucial, and we’re ready to rise to the occasion.
The Last Time We Faced Kano Pillars
Revenge mission? Perhaps. But the focus is on winning, not dwelling on past disappointments.
The last time we faced Kano Pillars in the NPFL, it was our first game in the top flight and it ended ignominiously with a 3-0 loss in Katsina, their then-adopted home ground. That game highlighted the significant difference in levels between the top flight and the second tier. However, we’ve taken the lessons from that experience and grown since then.
As we host them tomorrow, we carry belief and are ready to show the mettle we’ve demonstrated throughout the course of this season.
Recent Form & The Need to Improve
Our last five matches have seen us secure just one win. With the second round of the season underway and an understanding of how crucial this stage is, we know how important it is to improve and avoid any room for laxity.
Team News
At the moment, everyone is available and fit for selection. Ayomide Cole, who missed the last game, faces a late fitness test and could be in contention to feature in this one. Latest signing Wisdom Ubani is also in contention for the Matchday squad.
The Kano Pillars Threat
Pillars are right behind us in the standings. We’re 7th and they’re 8th, with the same points, separated only by goal difference. They’re not in the best of form on the road either, having lost their last three away games. However, they’ve also shown they can be tough to crack, picking up three points on some difficult grounds this season.
Match Details
● Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos
● Kick-off Time: 4:00 pm
● Date: Wednesday 29th, January.
● Follow the Action: Stay tuned with us on social media @IkoroduCityFC for live updates and all the action as it happens during the game. The game will also be live off Propel Sports Africa.
Once again, the game will be played behind closed doors, with no access for fans, as it marks the final match of the home ban. Despite this, we have full confidence we would deliver and make you, our loyal fans, proud as always.