Ikorodu City star, Waliu Ojetoye, was disappointed his team failed to secure a place on the continent but was pleased they stayed up in the topflight, www.aclsports.com reports.
Ojetoye, 21, was one of the shining lights for the Oga Boys in the 2024-25 season as they beat the drop in their Nigeria Premier Football (NPFL) debut season.
Ikorodu City eventually finished in fourth spot, scoring the most goals in the division (60). The Lagosians also reached the semifinals of the Federation Cup where they were dumped out by Abakaliki FC.
In a chat with aclsports, the enterprising fullback felt his side started the season well despite their winless run in the early stages of the campaign.
“The team didn’t start poorly like people were thinking. We were still playing very well as individuals and as a team, but only the results were not in our favour,” began Ojetoye to aclsports.com.
“We lost so many chances around that period, and it took us down the log. But after he got our first win against Bendel Insurance at home, our mindsets were reshaped, and that pushed us to even win more. We picked the momentum from there until the end of the season,” he added.
After getting their first win, Ikorodu City became comfortable winning games at home and away. The Oga Boys then got themselves into a continental race with Abia Warriors, but it slipped out of their hands on match day 36, and Ojetoye feels they could have done better.
“Our major plan was for us not to get relegated, but along the line we found ourselves in the continental space,” the skipper said.
“We just needed to fight and just get a continental ticket. But we didn’t get it, and it was a thing of disappointment for us because the opportunity came and we were not ready enough to grab it. As the captain, and as a team, we were disappointed,” he added.
A season of consistency, numbers and national calls
Ojetoye, an enterprising full-back, finished the season as the player with the most assists in the division (9) from over 30 appearances, but he went on to say such feat never crossed his mind before the season began.
“I imagined having a good return in the NPFL this season, but finishing with the most assists did not cross my thought. At the end of the season, I did very well, and I’m happy to have made my mark.
His performances during the season saw him receive national team call ups to the CHAN Eagles and the Super Eagles. Ojetoye played a role in helping the home-based lads qualify for the tournament that will be played later in August, and he was also part of the team to the Unity Cup earlier this month.
“We have a strong team that can win the CHAN tournament. I have been been with the squad, and I know the mindset that everyone has. We are fighters, and the tournament is going to be different,” said a confident Ojetoye about the chances of the Eagles to win the tournament in East Africa.
At the Unity Cup, Ojetoye did not feature in both games as Eric Chelle’s side won the tournament. He said he was not disappointed, but believes his time will come.
“I had a very nice experience in the Super Eagles team. It was a different exposure for me. I was not disappointed not getting any minutes on the pitch because I know my time will come. Things are being done gradually, so I don’t need to jump into it. I believe that when it’s my time, I will play and give it my best.
Ojetoye is expected to be named in the Eagles’ provisional squad for August’s CHAN tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
