2025 Lagos FA Cup: Ikorodu City survives non-league team scare

Posted : 08 February 2025

The Chairman of Ikorodu City Football Club, Doherty Sanmi, has expressed his displeasure over the unimpressive performance of his players against a grassroots club, Power of The Cross FC, in the Round of 32 of the Lagos State Challenge Cup, popularly known as the Lagos FA Cup.

Ikorodu City labored to beat Power of The Cross FC 2-1 on Thursday morning in the Round of 32 at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere.

The last-minute winning goal scored by Chineme Chinonso came as a relief for the fans of the Premier League club, who watched the pulsating tie under tension.

Despite the team’s victory, Sanmi, while addressing the players, called out the team for their underperformance, stating that he was highly disappointed with the players' commitment to the match and their poor performance on the field.

“I am highly disappointed in you (players). What you played today was totally below expectations, and I am not happy despite your late winning goal,” said Sanmi, who left the match venue in frustration.

Sanmi, who delivered a wake-up call to his players, felt that their opponents were not their rivals and was surprised at how his players struggled before securing the winning goal.

Meanwhile, Ikorodu City will play Kwara United on Sunday in an NPFL league match at the Onikan Stadium. Sanmi was not pleased to see his players struggle for fitness against a grassroots club in the Lagos FA Cup.

In his own remarks, the coach of Power of The Cross, Ambrose Duru, applauded his players for giving their opponents a tough challenge, stating that a momentary lapse in concentration cost them the match.

“I am proud of my boys, even though we narrowly lost to the defending champions. I came to this tournament to beat them, but unfortunately, my boys lost concentration in the added time, which led to our defeat.

“After our exit from the Lagos FA Cup, we will return home and prepare for the Badagry League and Rising Star League, which begin soon. It was a good outing for us in the Lagos FA Cup because we gave our opponents a tough fight throughout the encounter,” he said.

In other results, Nathaniel Boys walloped Seamoriow FA 6-0, while Messiah FC lost 4-1 to FC Bethel in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in regulation time.

2025 Lagos FA Cup: Ikorodu City survives non-league team scare

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