By Felix Kuyinu
Ikorodu City FC have been mauled by Kano Pillars in their debut game in the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL.
The Oga Boys were beaten courtesy of three second half goals after a stalemate in the opening first 45 minutes at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium, Katsina on Sunday.
Ikorodu City, skippered by Waliu Ojetoye, started the game on a bright note. Obia Tony met Waliu’s first time cross but was denied by a fantastic point blank save by Kano Pillars goalkeeper, Ibrahim Idrissu.
Veteran midfielder, Rabiu Alli, tried his luck from a free kick but his effort sailed over the bar in watchful stare of Ikorodu City goalkeeper, Olughu Chinemerem.
Oyedokun Tosin had a good strike for the away side but found his effort hit the side of the net.
Both sides looked forward to drawing the first blood. Alli once again hit a fierce free kick from close range but his effort was tipped over the bar by the busy Chinemerem.
Following few spurned chances by both teams, Mohamed Zilkilifu, in the 39th minute, thought he had put his side in front causing an estatic uproar by the Sai Masu Gida fans. However, the celebrations were chalked off by the female referee, Patience Madu, who disallowed the goal for offside rule.
The first half ended with terrific football artistry albeit lack of goals.
The Oga Boys began the second half with a double change by gaffer, Bright Ozagagbe. New signee, Rivio Ayemwenre alongside Obia Tony made way for Ayomide Cole and Chilaka ThankGod, respectively.
Both sides continue to fetch for the first goal but it was Mohammed Umar, after fifteen minutes of the restart, who powered home a header to make it one-nill to the northern hosts.
Chinemerem kept the scoreline redeemable for his side with fantastic saves, owing to tremendous pressure from Kano Pillars. However, that didn’t last long. Alli, once again in his set-piece duty, gave his side a cushion courtesy of an accelerated free kick which beat his opposition goalkeeper as his near post.
Ozagagbe threw the kitchen sink to chase the game by making double substitutions. New signees, Marvelous Freedom and Adio Ganiyu were on for Leonard Ngenge and Emmanuel Solomon. But that didn’t matter. Alli, at minute 79 got his brace after his strike from distance which slipped in under Chinemerem to make it 3-0 to Kano Pillars.
The visiting team battled to get a consolation goal but Kano Pillars maintained their aura to keep a clean sheet.
Ozagagbe said after the game,” This is the NPFL, the performance is key for us. The performance was there for everyone to be proud of but we lost because we lost concentration in some parts of the game and this is what we need to work on.
“The first half was good but we made some errors in the second half and we switched off and that gave the opposition the advantage.”
When quized on if the quality of Kano Pillars had an effect against his newly promoted team, he said, “When you give a team like Kano Pillars a sloppy goal, they come into play.”
“My boys showed resilience to play them but the errors kept coming.”
On what to expect in the next game, the coach said, “The next game we’re gonna win against Kwara United. We’ve learnt our lessons and we hope the next game will be better for us,” he concluded.
