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Tag: Ikorodu Utd

  • Mass exodus set to hit Ikorodu Utd

    Mass exodus set to hit Ikorodu Utd

    Ikorodu United are on the verge of losing at least 10 key players ahead next season.

    The Oga Boys weren’t good enough to beat the drop at the end of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    With less motivation involved in turning out in the Nigeria National League, players have already started pressing the exit button.

    A source within the club, who sought anonymity confirmed this development to Goal.

    “Moses Ebiye, Fatai Abdullahi, Michael Okoyoh, Shedrack Francis, Adamu Azeez, Chinedu Onyelonu, Muyiwa Lawal, Segun Fatunwase, Richard Ochieayi and Paul Duke have already stated their desires to move on with their careers. It is a situation which is putting the team in an awkward position while at the same time creating room for new signings,” the source told Goal.

    “The club doesn’t have the power to hold on to players. It is their wish and the management has decided to respect it in good faith. Those that haven’t signified their intention to leave are still mulling over their next step. But those in  charge of transfers will handle the situation perfectly.”

  • Ikorodu Utd relegated from NPFL

    Ikorodu Utd relegated from NPFL

    Ikorodu United have been relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after their 1-0 loss at Plateau United on Sunday.

    The Oga Boys began Sunday’s match on a five-game run without a loss, having defeated three big teams, Enyimba, Kano Pillars and Heartland.

    The Lagos team held high hopes going into the match at Plateau United, but fell short as Kelechi John’s solitary strike ended their time in the Nigerian top tier.

    Ikorodu United were pegged back from the start of the game at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos, and it took Plateau United just 11 minutes to go in front through John’s headed attempt from Bright Silas’ inch-perfect cross.

    The loss on Sunday means that Ikorodu United’s last two games of the season against Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves can be considered inconsequential.

  • Pillars’ Baita targets win over Ikorodu Utd

    Pillars’ Baita targets win over Ikorodu Utd

    Kano Pillars chairman Alhaja Kabiru Baita has expressed confidence that the four-time Nigerian champions will pick a win on Match Day 35 against Ikorodu United at the MKO Abiola stadium, Abeokuta today.

    Ikorodu United come into the fixture high on confidence after picking up their first away win of the season against Heartland, but Baita isn’t bothered by their opponent’s form.

    “The team is motivated, the management have done its part and the team have also promised to out smiles on the faces of the fans,” Baita told Goal.

    “The target is clear, we are aiming for the maximum points.The joyful news this morning of a bouncing baby girl to our defender, Jonathan Zikiye will no doubt be an extra boost to a very confident team.

    “A win will be a perfect gift to Zikiye.Ikorodu United won on the road last week but that will only motivate our team to show them our superiority.”

    Kano Pillars are seventh on the NPFL table with 48 points, while Ikorodu United are rock bottom.

  • Amokachi likens Ikorodu Utd Dutch coach to Cruyff

    Amokachi likens Ikorodu Utd Dutch coach to Cruyff

    Former Nigeria international and coach of JS Hercules of Finland Daniel Amokachi has likened Ikorodu United Dutch coach Theo de Jong to legendary Dutch men Rinus Michel and Johan Cruyff.

    Amokachi made the comparison on his official twitter handle when one of his followers tried to play down his comment on the coaching abilities of the Dutch man, shortly after he led troubled Ikorodu United to a 1-0 win away at Heartland FC of Owerri.

    “Mr. Theo de Jong is a legend. People don’t understand what a guru we have working in Nigeria,” he posted.

    A follower of the former Everton forward nicknamed the Bull in his playing days responded to his post by replying that the praise by Amokachi was solely because the coach was able to beat Heartland.

    His response to the reply was a straight post clearly stating that his praise is way beyond the victory over Heartland before liken him to Dutch coaching legends, Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels.

    “Heartland has very little to do with it. He’s one of those who invented modern game. Ever heard of Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels?”

  • Ikorodu Utd fined N3.5m, banished to Abeokuta

    Ikorodu Utd fined N3.5m, banished to Abeokuta

    The LMC has slammed Lagos based club Ikorodu United with heavy fines after previously announcing the team had been charged for failure to restrict unauthorized persons from restricted areas during their NPFL matchday 30 game vs 3SC.

    The club also got charged for disturbances caused by its supporters during & after the NPFL game vs 3SC was discontinued.

    As a result, Ikorodu Utd were fined N750,000 for failing to restrict unauthorized persons from restricted areas during the game vs 3SC.  Ikorodu Utd was also fined N750,000 for failing to provide adequate crowd control during & after the 3SC game.

    The LMC also stated that Ikorodu Utd were in breach of NPFL framework & rules for failing to provide adequate crowd control during its game vs 3SC.

    The Lagos based club further breached NPFL rules with its supporters throwing objects onto the pitch leading to the discontinuing of the game vs 3SC.

    For objects thrown onto the pitch by its supporters & causing the discontinuance of the said NPFL game, Ikorodu Utd was fined N2m.

    As part of the sanctions, Ikorodu Utd will play its next 3 NPFL home games at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta starting with matchday 32 vs Tornadoes on August 21.

    The Ikorodu Utd v 3SC game was disrupted in the 89th minute with scores at 1-1 and the LMC has ruled that the result shall count as a completed fixture.

    Ikorodu Utd has not later than 5pm on Friday, August 19 (today) to appeal or accept the sanctions imposed on it.

     

  • Ifeanyi Ubah deserves a win against Ikorodu Utd

    Ifeanyi Ubah deserves a win against Ikorodu Utd

    FC Ifeanyi Ubah captain, Emmanuel Thompson has disclosed that not defeating Ikorodu United is disappointing but a point earned is fair.

    Emmanuel, who has been on the sideline due to a thigh injury for over a month, resumed training in June and was in action against the Olukoya Boys.

    “It feels good to be back to action though I’ve not hit that top notch performance level but I believe I’ll improve from an 80% performance today to something better in subsequent matches. The most important thing for me right now is that I’m back and better,” Thompson told Goal.

    “We head into every match with that mentality to win but unfortunately we only got a point. Though it may be very disappointing that we didn’t secure a win against Ikorodu United in Lagos- a point earned is fair but if we’d lost here it would have been terrible,”he said.

  • New signings have improved Ikorodu Utd, says Duke

    New signings have improved Ikorodu Utd, says Duke

    Ikorodu United are yet to hit the 20 points mark after 24 league  matches despite an improved performance in the second half of the season.

    “We didn’t do too well in the first round of the NPFL which has left us in a bad position but in the mid-season transfer window,  the team brought in some experienced quality signings and that has equalled to an improved performance so far in the second round, ” Paul Duke told Goal.

    “Giving up isn’t an option for us, it looks difficult but we shall continue to fight for every point home or away, to give up a fight means the end. We aren’t going to give up.

    “The few matches left this season still has a whole lot of points at stake which make a huge positive change to our current position. So basically we aren’t done yet,  we are fighters and will see the battle till the end.”

  • MFM compound Ikorodu Utd’s relegation woes

    MFM compound Ikorodu Utd’s relegation woes

    Mountain of Fire Football Club FC breezed past Ikorodu United 3-1 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League game at the Agege Stadium.

    Goals from Sikiru Olatunbosun, Stephen Odey and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi were all the Olukoya Boys needed to tear apart the Oga Boys in the Lagos derby watched by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Both sides came into this fixture in poor form, MFM without a win in their last four games in all competitions while Ikorodu United were looking for their first away win of the season.

    Ebiye Moses looked dangerous from the kickoff, as Ikorodu United began to assert themselves on proceedings, winning two corners in quick succession.

    MFM slowly worked their way into the game, with Newman Musa forcing goalkeeper Segun Fatunwase into a smart save with a half volley in the ninth minute.

    Musa tested the visitors’ goalkeeper again in the tenth minute – a goalmouth scramble ensued but Oga Boys cleared Ifeanyi Ifeanyi’s rebound.

    It didn’t take long for the hosts to take the lead. Shedrack Francis was booked by referee Olayombo Olubunmi for a rough challenge on Sikiru Olatunbosun on the edge of the Ikorodu United penalty area.

    Obanor Erhun took the resultant free kick, which was spilled by Oga Boys’ keeper Fatunwase into Olatunbosun’s path who had the simple task of tucking in the rebound.

    Just as MFM were threatening to run away with the game at this point, an error by Obanor in the 19th minute handed Ikorodu United a lifeline back into the game. The MFM midfielder fouled menacing Ebiye and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot with  Fatai Abdullahi netting the equaliser from the penalty spot.

    Oga Boys could have taken the lead on the stroke of half time as Ebiye breezed past his markers and was about pulling the trigger beore Atu Paul cleared his low cross to safety.

    Substitute Onuwa stamped his authority on the game with his first touch, sending Musa through on goal but the MFM winger couldn’t convert for his side to retake the lead.

    Odey netted from close range as the Olukoya Boys retook the lead with  Ifeanyi’s penalty guaranteeing victory as Theo de Jong’s men returned home with heads bowed low.

  • Ikorodu Utd undergo medical check-up

    Players and officials of Ikorodu United went for a medical check-up in Lagos on Sunday morning.

    The Oga Boys cheated death last Friday when the commercial luxury bus they were travelling in was involved in a fatal accident that claimed several lives.

    The team returned back to Lagos on Saturday evening following the postponement of their Match Day 23 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against Lobi Stars by the League Management Company (LMC).

    The club’s Media Manager, Babatunde Ayoola told SportingLife yesterday that the team visited the club’s hospital in Ikorodu to ascertain the level of the injuries sustained by  the players and staff.

    “Everybody was at the club’s hospital this morning for check-up to ensure that the players and staff are okay after the accident. But I can tell you that everybody is okay. Our match against Lobi Stars has been postponed and no date has been communicated to us yet,”he said.

  • Okpodu sure of Ikorodu Utd’s survival

    Okpodu sure of Ikorodu Utd’s survival

    Ikorodu United head coach, Sam Okpodu, still  believes that the Lagos club will not be relegated to the second tier of league football  at the end of this season.

    The former Nigeria women’s national team trainer said the Oga Boys “need to win three consecutive games” to beat the drop.

    Though Okpodu did not state which of the three successive fixtures in which he hopes to mastermind three straight wins, supersport.com’s check on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) calendar for this season shows that Ikorodu United’s next three games are against Lobi Stars (away), Enyimba (home) and the derby with MFM (away).

    “We are not going to be relegated. We need to win three consecutive games to escape relegation,” said Okpodu.

    Ikorodu United have been unable to win consecutive games this season. Their best back-to-back results in the top tier remains taking four points from their opening two games this season in the 1-1 draw with Abia Warriors and 1-0 win over Lobi Stars, both home matches at the Onikan Stadium.

    The Oga Boys are currently in 19th place in the NPFL standings with 15 points from 21 matches.