Ikorodu City FC spanks Rivers United FC

Posted : 04 November 2024

Ikorodu City FC, in a breathtaking second-half display on Sunday, ended the unbeaten streak of 2024/2025 table toppers Rivers United FC with a 2-0 win.

The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 10 clash between the Oga Boys and the Pride of Rivers was played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

The entertaining match, which ended goalless in the first half, had its turnaround in the second half with two quick goals.

Watch NPFL Matches LIVE: https://www.africasport.net/livetv/nigeria

Ikorodu City coach Nurudeen Aweroro expertly made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Ayomide Cole, Rivio Ayemwenre, and Toyeeb Ajeyigbe, who replaced Alade Solomon, Salau Yusuf, and Emmanuel Solomon.

One of the substitutes, Cole, made an immediate impact by scoring in the 48th minute with a beautiful loop shot after a delightful pass from the captain, Waliu Ojetoye.

Another super sub, former Sporting Lagos FC striker Ayemwenre, made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute after a series of offensive displays in the 18-yard box of Rivers United, with the final pass coming from another substitute, Ajeyigbe.

Aweroro, on the sidelines of the match, said it was a game he was poised to win.

"My target was to play the match without conceding a goal, which God helped me achieve. I wanted to win this match because every game is important.

"I am not afraid of Rivers United FC; I know that I need to approach the game with confidence. I always want to play the right players at the right time. The three players that I brought in instantly made an impact.

"I know I need some players that can help out, so there is no fuss about the number of players I substituted at a time; it is the quality of their impact," he said.

Aweroro added, "I can bring out five players as long as I need a goal. The goalscorer, Rivio, is someone I respect for his dedication and energy.

"If he had started the game, no one could have complemented him.

"We will start from where we left off for the next match. This victory has given us the edge we needed for the upcoming game," he said.

Rivers United FC coach Finidi George, however, downplayed the significance of the loss, describing it as a normal occurrence in football.

"Sometimes along the line in the league, we will have to lose, but we could have done better.

"We conceded a careless goal, and after that, nothing happened.

"We will go back to review the game. Losing 2-0 is normal in football; we do not expect to win all our matches.

"We will just go back and make up for the lost moments. We also lost concentration during the match and failed to capitalize on the opportunities in the first half," he said.

Finidi then credited Ikorodu City FC for putting up a good fight against his side.

"We didn't make the right decisions. I give credit to Ikorodu City; they did their best.

"There is no cause for alarm yet for our title race. This loss is one of those things we see in football that will help us prepare better," he said.

Rivers United now occupies second position after 10 matches with 21 points, while Ikorodu City has moved up to 17th position with 11 points.

Ikorodu City FC spanks Rivers United FC

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