NPFL: Ikorodu City thump Katsina United in historic win

Ikorodu City of Lagos thumped Katsina United 6-0 in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League match day 31 encounter played in Lagos on Thursday evening, www.aclsports.com reports.

In the game decided at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, the Oga boys secured the biggest win in their debut campaign in Nigeria’s top-flight after goals from Emmanuel Solomon, Shola Adelani, Ayo Cole (brace), Dada Oladimeji, and Tosin Oyedokun helped put the visitors to the sword.

The Oga boys came into the game after a goalless draw with Shooting Stars on Sunday, while Katsina United were held to a draw in Katsina by Bayelsa United. This made the contest important for the two sides at different ends of the table.

Apart from goalkeeper Oluwadamilare Aina, who was missing due to card accumulation for the hosts, head coach Nurudeen Aweroro kept faith with the same starting XI from the draw in Ibadan as he hoped for another routine home win. The game burst into life early on, and the home side scored the game’s first goal in the opening quarter as skipper Waliu Ojetoye put the ball on the plate for Emmanuel Solomon to score.

The visitors had no answers to the threats from the Lagosians, and less than ten minutes before the break, the home side doubled their lead. Kelechi Onwe played a quick pass to Solomon, who then flicked the ball to Shola Adelani to head past a stranded George Michael – Katsina United goalkeeper. Ikorodu City took the lead into the break with a place in the top four looking possible if they held on.

Just before the restart, the ineffective Okechukwu Nwanna was withdrawn for Ayo Cole, and the latter went ahead to make an indelible impact in the game. Cole dribbled through his marker before setting up Tosin Oyedokun for the game’s third goal in the 55th minute. Just 15 minutes later, Cole latched onto a fine cross from Waliu to get a goal for himself.

Waliu was not done yet as he provided another assist – his third of the night – to hand Dada Oladimeji (a replacement for Emmanuel Solomon) – his first goal in the colours of the Oga boys, and just three minutes from time, Ayo Cole completed his brace with a ferocious finish.

The win propelled Ikorodu City back into the top four and they will host Niger Tornadoes at home on Sunday, while 15th-placed Katsina United will continue their quest for survival with a trip to league leaders Remo Stars.