Ikorodu City delivered a commanding performance to sweep aside Katsina United 6-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Thursday evening, keeping their continental hopes alive in their debut Nigeria Premier Football League season.
First-half goals from Emmanuel Solomon and Shola Adelani, combined with four more strikes after the break, helped the Lagos-based side climb into the Top Four ahead of Shooting Stars.
The encounter, rescheduled from matchday 31, began with early control from Katsina United’s Usman Barau and Nafi’u Ibrahim Kangiwa in midfield. However, the Changji Boys could not capitalise on their bright start.
Ikorodu City broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Emmanuel Solomon found the back of the net after a precise low cross from Waliu Ojetoye, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. Katsina United struggled to break down Ikorodu City’s defence, and the hosts doubled their lead in the 36th minute as Solomon turned provider when his well-weighted pass found Shola Adelani in the box who headed in to make it 2-0.
The visitors had a brief chance late in the first half, with Damala Ezekiel one-on-one with Ikorodu keeper George Michael. However, Ezekiel missed the opportunity, and the score remained 2-0 at the break.
The second half saw no let-up in Ikorodu City’s attack. In the 55th minute, Ayomide Cole’s superb dribbling set up Tosin for the third goal. The hosts continued to dominate, and in the 71st minute, Cole turned from provider to scorer, finishing a lovely cross from Ojetoye to make it 4-0.
The goals kept coming for Ikorodu City, and in the 81st minute, Oladimeji Dada scored his debut goal with a header from another Ojetoye cross, extending the lead to 5-0. Cole sealed the victory in the 86th minute with a powerful, thunderous strike, completing his brace and giving Ikorodu City a comprehensive 6-0 win.
The result leaves Katsina United with just 40 points, sitting two places above the relegation zone, while Ikorodu City remain firmly in contention for a continental spot, with 49 points, they are just one point behind Abia Warriors in third place.
Ikorodu City’s next match is on Sunday against Niger Tornadoes at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, while Katsina United will travel to Ikenne to face league leaders Remo Stars on the same day.
