In a pulsating derby clash characterized by relentless attacking football and dramatic twists, Ikorodu City FC emerged triumphant, securing a vital three points in the Nigerian National League (NNL24) MatchDay 17 derby fixture against rivals Inter Lagos, making it back to back home wins in Lagos derbies in the NNL.

LINE UP: Oluwadamilare Aina (GK), Waliu Ojetoye (C), Harrison Uzondu, Onwe Kelechi, Musa Habeeb, Chibuike Prestige, Onyema Emmanuel, Salau Yusuf, Abikoye Uthman, Oyedokun Tosin, Sulaimon Babatunde.

Having previously picked up a 2-0 win over Inter Lagos in the State Federation Cup Final, Ikorodu City FC entered the match with confidence and wasted no time asserting their dominance. In just the 2nd minute, Onyema Emmanuel opened the scoring with a clinical finish, courtesy of a splendid build-up play orchestrated by Salau from the midfield,leaving the Inter Lagos goalkeeper helpless.

Ikorodu City continued to press forward, aiming to double their lead early on. In the 6th minute, Harrison unleashed a powerful shot, only to be denied by the goalkeeper of Inter Lagos. However, following a dominant possession of the ball by Oga Boys, the relentless attacks paid off again in the 13th minute when a well-crafted move involving Tosin and Waliu set up Uthman to slot home, doubling the advantage.

Despite the defensive solidity showcased by Prestige’s crucial interceptions, Oga Boys conceded in the 30th minute due to a defensive lapse, as Tony Obia capitalized on a poor pass from Habeeb to Aina in goal and then halve the deficit for the visitors.

With the match finely poised, both teams made tactical adjustments, with Ikorodu City FC introducing substitutes Paul and Soji in the 33rd minute to shore up their defense and sharpen the attack. In the 35th minute, Ikorodu City FC won a penalty after Uthman was brought down in the box. The spot kick was calmly converted by Tosin to restore the two-goal cushion and take the game into the break at 3-1.

As the second half commenced, both teams continued to create scoring opportunities, with Inter Lagos posing a threat on the counter. However, substitute Soji showed exemplary defending in the 47th and 50th minutes thwarting the advances, and preserving the lead.

In a strategic move, goal scorer Tosin was substituted in the 52nd minute for Shola, aimed at bolstering the midfield and maintaining control. Despite Inter Lagos pulling a goal back in the 80th minute, substitute Paul extended Ikorodu City’s lead with a well-taken penalty in the 88th minute, following a foul on captain Waliu.

However, a late twist ensued as a defensive error from Shola gifted Inter Lagos a penalty in stoppage time, which they converted to narrow the gap. Despite the late drama, Ikorodu City held on to claim a hard-fought 4-3 victory in a pulsating derby clash.

SUBSTITUTIONS

OUT: Sulaimon Babatunde  IN: Paul Aderibigbe 33’

OUT: Habeeb Musa  IN: Oladoja Soji 33’

OUT: Tosin Oyedokun  IN: Shola Adelani 52’

OUT: Paul Aderibigbe  IN: Toyeeb Gidado 87’

OUT: Onyema Emmanuel  IN: Fatai Adekunle 87’ 

Unused substitutes: Godwin Victor (GK), Stephen Micheal, Okekeaniokete, Afoke Malik.