Ikorodu City FC suffered a painful 1-0 defeat away to Rivers United in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 30 fixture at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, conceding a late goal in stoppage time after a resilient performance.

LINEUP: Oluwadamilare Aina; Waliu Ojetoye, Harrison Uzondu, Chibuike Oheagbulam, Victor Ekujah; Onwe Kelechi, Salawu Yusuf, Tosin Oyedokun; Emmanuel Solomon, Okechukwu Nwanna & Chineme Chinonso. 

Oga Boys started brightly, controlling possession and creating early chances. In the 7th minute, Victor Ekujah came close to giving Ikorodu City the lead with a well-timed header from a Harrison Uzondu cross, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Just three minutes later, Emmanuel Solomon dribbled past his marker on the right flank and delivered a low cross into the box, but it failed to find the decisive touch.

Rivers United thought they had taken the lead in the 11th minute, but their goal was correctly ruled out for offside after a defensive miscommunication.

Buoyed by the disallowed goal, the hosts began to pile pressure, launching sustained attacks. Rivers United came close again in the 27th and 32nd minute, both from set-pieces, but Aina made brilliant saves to keep the score level. Victor also showed resilience at the back, producing a vital block to deny Chijioke Mbaoma, ensuring the first half ended goalless.

Oga Boys resumed the second half with intent. Tosin Oyedokun won possession in midfield and played a long ball to Okechukwu Nwanna, who laid it off for Chineme Chinonso, but his effort was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.

In the 55th minute, our lads came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock. Waliu delivered an inswinging free-kick that found Okechukwu, whose powerful header narrowly missed the target.

Seeking fresh energy in attack, our gaffer made a double substitution in the 59th minute, bringing on Moses Shodeinde and Dada Oladimeji for Salau Yusuf and Okechukwu Nwanna. Another double change followed in the 77th minute, as Ayomide Cole and Anderson Pere replaced Emmanuel Solomon and Chineme Chinonso, with Pere making his debut.

Ikorodu City FC nearly found a breakthrough in the 85th minute when substitute Dada Oladimeji set up Cole, whose powerful strike was blocked for a corner kick. Two minutes later, Aina was called into action again, producing a fine save from a freekick taken by Rivers United’s goalkeeper just outside the box.

In a cruel ending with seven minutes of added time, as the game entered stoppage time, it seemed we would secure a hard-fought draw, but disaster struck in the 90+5th minute. A floated free-kick into the box was not properly cleared, leaving Bolu Sholumade unmarked to slot home past Aina, crushing the hopes of our away supporters as the game ended 1-0 in favour of Rivers United. 

UP NEXT
Following a disappointing loss away at Rivers United, the team now turn their attention to matchday 31, when they welcome Kastina United at the arena.

SUBSTITUTES

OUT: Okechukwu Nwanna IN: Dada Oladimeji 59’

OUT: Salawu Yusuf IN: Moses Shodeinde 59’

OUT: Tosin Oyedokun IN: Rivio Ayenwere 66’ 

OUT: Emmanuel Solomon IN: Ayomide Cole 77’

OUT: Chinonso Chineme IN: Anderson Pere 77’

BOOKING

Oluwadamilare Aina 10’

Victor Ekujah 23’

Tosin Oyedokun 34’