2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 36: Ikorodu City FC ends Bayelsa United FC's undefeated run

Posted : 08 May 2025

Ikorodu City on Wednesday put up a brave fight against the visitors, Bayelsa United FC, securing a 3-2 win in a match that ended the latter's five-match unbeaten streak.

The evening fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 36 was played at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

The Oga Boys had a blazing start right from the first whistle, launching a quick counterattack that ended with a precise cross from the team's captain, Waliu Ojetoye, which met the head of Okechukwu Nwanna in the 2nd minute.

The Prosperity Boys then leveled the score in the 11th minute, courtesy of a howler by Ikorodu City FC goalkeeper Oluwadamilare Aina, who mishandled a soft pass from Austin Uzondu.

Ikorodu City FC restored their lead in the 19th minute with a thunderous shot from outside the box by Oyedokun, which caught Bayelsa United FC's goalkeeper, Clinton Ezekiel, napping.

Bayelsa United FC rallied once again for an equalizer in the 26th minute, as Auwal Sadiq's close-range header beat Aina.

Ikorodu City FC had an opportunity to regain the lead in the 33rd minute, but the assistant referee flagged Tosin Adelani's tap-in as offside, and the first half ended in a 2-2 draw.

At the start of the second half, Ikorodu City FC coach Nuruden Aweroro introduced Ayomide Cole, who replaced Okechukwu Nwanna, and Moses Shodeinde came in for Salau Yusuf.

The hosts, however, restored their lead in the 62nd minute when Shola Adelani’s glancing header, off a cross from Austin, beat Bayelsa United’s goalkeeper, Ezekiel, making the score 3-2.

Speaking on the sidelines of the match, Bayelsa United FC forward Dare Ogundare stated that his team could have secured a draw.

“We were comfortable during the match because we believed we could get the result if we did the right things.

“Although we didn’t win, we put up a good fight; Ikorodu City were able to spoil our unbeaten run, but that’s football. Maybe they were also lucky with the referee's decision.

“We should have gotten away with a draw,” he said.

Ikorodu City FC coach Aweroro, in his reaction, emphasized that his pep talk during the match was the reason for the win.

“Today is one of my happy days because my boys listened to my advice.

“On another note, I wasn’t happy with the fact that we were too confident, but we were able to get back into the game.

“There’s something I wanted to see that I didn’t see during the match, so I talked to them, and they made the change.

“I wasn’t afraid; when they equalized against us, I believed we were going to get the win,” he said confidently.

Ikorodu City FC now occupies 4th place on the NPFL table with 56 points from 36 matches, having recorded 16 wins, 8 draws, and 12 losses.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 36: Ikorodu City FC ends Bayelsa United FC's undefeated run

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