Ikorodu City produced one of the most commanding performances of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season, routing Katsina United 6-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Thursday evening. In what was a rescheduled fixture from Matchday 31, the Lagos-based club not only secured three critical points but also sent a powerful signal to their top-four rivals. The win propels them into fourth place on the NPFL table, overtaking Shooting Stars and edging just one point behind Abia Warriors, who currently sit in third.
Despite Katsina United showing early midfield promise through the efforts of Usman Barau and Nafi’u Ibrahim Kangiwa, the visitors lacked the cutting edge to capitalize on their initial possession. It was Ikorodu City who found the breakthrough in the 13th minute. A sweeping move down the right flank ended with Waliu Ojetoye delivering a low cross into the area, which Emmanuel Solomon expertly converted to open the scoring. From that moment, the home side took complete control of the game.
The pressure continued to mount on Katsina United’s backline, and they eventually cracked again in the 36th minute. This time, Solomon turned provider. Spotting Shola Adelani making a run into the box, he delivered a pinpoint pass that the forward met with a powerful header to double the advantage. Katsina United’s only clear opportunity in the first half came moments before the break when Damala Ezekiel found himself one-on-one with Ikorodu goalkeeper George Michael. However, the forward fluffed his lines, and the score remained 2-0 at halftime.
Ikorodu City emerged from the break with the same intensity, refusing to give their opponents any breathing space. Their third goal came in the 55th minute as Ayomide Cole dazzled with a solo run, evading multiple defenders before squaring the ball for Tosin, who tapped home with composure. By now, the visitors were completely overwhelmed, and Ikorodu City took full advantage. In the 71st minute, Cole got a goal of his own, finishing off another exquisite cross from Ojetoye to make it four.
With the game effectively sealed, Ikorodu still had more to offer. The fifth goal arrived in the 81st minute through debutant Oladimeji Dada, who headed in confidently after yet another delivery from the impressive Ojetoye. The rout was complete just five minutes later when Cole struck again—this time from a distance. His second of the night was a thunderous drive that left the goalkeeper with no chance and wrapped up a sensational performance for the home side.
This crushing defeat leaves Katsina United stuck on 40 points, hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, just two spots above the drop. Their next fixture is an uphill battle against league leaders Remo Stars in Ikenne on Sunday, a test of resilience that they can ill afford to fail. Meanwhile, Ikorodu City will aim to ride the wave of momentum into Sunday’s clash against Niger Tornadoes, also at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Another victory could not only cement their top-four status but also draw them even closer to a historic continental spot in their debut NPFL campaign.
As the final stretch of the season unfolds, the stakes are higher than ever. For Ikorodu City, this was more than just three points—it was a declaration of intent.
