2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 12 Southwest Derby: Super Sub Ayemwenre seals victory for Ikorodu City

Posted : 18 November 2024

The coach of Ikorodu City FC, Nurudeen Aweroro, has declared that Rivio Ayemwenre is the club's trump card for breaking down opponents' defenses.

Ayemwenre has been in blazing form, establishing himself as Ikorodu City FC's highest goal scorer and one of the top scorers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

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In a dramatic comeback, Ikorodu City FC claimed the first bragging rights in the Southwest Derby over visiting Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan.

The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 12 fixture saw the Oga Boys cancel out a one-goal deficit in the second half to secure a 2-1 victory.

The Oluyole Warriors struck first in the 14th minute, with Anthony Okachi giving his side the lead.

The visitors, Shooting Stars SC, dominated possession in the first half, which ended 1-0 in their favor.

Entering the second half, Oga Boys' coach Nurudeen Aweroro made three substitutions that ultimately changed the game's complexion.

Ayomide Cole replaced Solomon Alade at the start of the second half, while super sub Rivio Ayemwenre and Toyeeb Ajeyigbe came on for Salau Yusuf and Emmanuel Solomon in the 48th minute.

With improved fluidity from Ikorodu City, Ayemwenre and captain Waliu Ojetoye made an impact in the 58th minute as Shola Adelani pounced on a loose ball to produce a glancing header, leveling the score.

Ayemwenre sealed his impact as a substitute in the 87th minute, nodding in a delightful pass from Austin Solomon.

Speaking after the game, Ayemwenre, the match-winner and Ikorodu City FC Player of the Month for October, expressed confidence in his team's ability to overturn the deficit against Shooting Stars.

“It was the coach's decision to always play me in the second half, not mine. It’s not that I am content being a substitute.

“What came to my mind when I came on was to score. I wasn’t under any pressure because, after our last training session, I knew we were going to win the game.

“The mood in the camp is great, and we are so happy. It wasn’t easy for us at the start of the season, but now we are thrilled. I am also happy being the highest goal scorer for Ikorodu City and in the NPFL,” he said.

The team captain, Waliu Ojetoye, stated that being a goal down was not a concern for the team.

“We didn’t panic when we were a goal down. We just sat back and strategized on how to win the game.

“I knew we would come back and win. We just needed some information about our opponents, which was provided at halftime, and we utilized it in the second half to secure this huge win.

“We knew that the game against Shooting Stars SC wouldn’t be easy since it was a Southwest derby, and it was indeed tough.

“We just needed to bring more energy,” he said.

For the coach, Nurudeen Aweroro, the players deserved praise for their resilience.

“I commend my team for their resilience. We were one goal down in the first half, but that didn’t worry us.

“If I had panicked, I wouldn’t have had the energy to motivate the boys. So, during the break, we talked and encouraged each other to put in more energy.

“Rivio is a special player, and I always want to use him to consolidate the efforts of other players. That’s why I prefer playing him in the second half.

“When I need to bring him in, I won’t hesitate because he is a quality player. I am comfortable using Rivio as a super sub.”

The victory over Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan has moved Ikorodu City to eighth place on the NPFL table, with five wins, two draws, and five losses.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 12 Southwest Derby: Super Sub Ayemwenre seals victory for Ikorodu City

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