NNL: Ikorodu City begin season in style

Nigeria National League (NNL) side Ikorodu City, got their league season underway with a 3-1 win over FC Ebedei, www.aclsports.com reports.

Skipper Tosin Oyedokun’s brace after Olubode Hassan’s opening goal helped the Oga Boys to a comfortable win at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan on Tuesday.

The game started in dominant fashion for Ikorodu City, controlling possession and getting to dangerous spaces with the crosses from Ayomide Cole, Alex and Waliu not finding Kenechukwu in the box as FC Ebedei threatened on the attack a couple of times but with no attempt or clear chance at goal.

However, the game then sparked into life when Kenechukwu used his height to rob the defender of a cross from Waliu but his shot was blocked by the defender. Hassan was on hand to pick the loose ball, round the onrushing goalkeeper Cosmos before scoring the opener on the half hour mark.

Substitute Taheer Abubakar quickly changed the attack upon his introduction for the ineffective Ayomide Cole, piercing through the defense quickly twice and winning a penalty after three mins of coming on with captain Tosin converting from the spot.

The visitors responded quickly, scoring two minutes later in the 37th minute after a corner wasn’t well defended, handing Dayo Osho the chance to half the deficit for FC Ebedei.

The second half resumed with much more command for Ikorodu City, making it difficult for the visitors to get a hold of the ball.

Three points were sealed in the 75th minute after a lively Chinedu turned away from a defender and found Tosin in space on the left. The skipper drove into the box with a good first touch and fired hard into the bottom left corner leaving the goalkeeper hapless.

It is the Lagos side’s second stint in the second division and they will be hoping to clinch the sole promotion play off ticket of their group at the end of the regular season.

Sadiq Dabiri’s side will now face Abeokuta Stormers on Saturday in Ikenne on match day two.

Meanwhile, in the other game played at MJA, debutants Madiba FC kicked off their campaign with an impressive 3-0 win against Ekiti United. Ewodage Abubakar, Solomon Aliu and Egbonwon Harrison were on target for the hosts in the game.