Ikorodu City Stun NPFL with 6-0 Blowout in Historic Showdown

Under the lights at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Ikorodu City FC delivered a performance that will echo through the annals of Nigerian football. Their emphatic 6-0 victory over Katsina United wasn’t just a win it was a spectacle, a symphony of dominance played to a roaring Lagos crowd.

The fireworks began just 11 minutes in, as Emmanuel Solomon calmly slotted in the opener after a brilliant run and assist by Waliu. That goal shattered the early nerves and ignited a frenzy in the stands. Shola Adelani, a consistent presence this season, doubled the tally in the 34th minute with a composed finish that marked his 11th goal contribution.

Then came the turning point the entrance of Ayomide Cole after the break. His presence turned the game into an exhibition. With a no-look pass, he set up Tosin Oyedokun for the third goal in the 55th minute. But Cole wasn’t done. In the 71st, he turned scorer with a tidy finish from Waliu’s third assist of the night. Fifteen minutes later, he unleashed a stunning solo effort that smashed into the net with authority.

As if the demolition needed a final flourish, Oladimeji Dada made his debut unforgettable with a late strike to complete the 6-0 rout. Dada’s goal crowned a night of relentless attacking football and marked his first in Ikorodu colours.

This result matches the biggest NPFL win since Rivers United’s 6-0 thrashing of Gombe United in June 2024. But this wasn’t just about numbers. It was about a team coming into its own.

Ikorodu City now hold fourth place on the table with 49 points from 32 matches and is emerging as a genuine contender for continental qualification. With Adelani pulling the strings and Cole bursting with brilliance, their next clash against Niger Tornadoes promises even more fireworks.

Editorial

What Ikorodu City achieved under those floodlights wasn’t merely about goals it was about belief. We watched a team redefine their identity and send a message loud enough to shake the entire NPFL. This wasn’t just a football match; it was an awakening.

We’ve seen flashes of brilliance before, but never with such cohesion and clarity. Every pass had intent, every run carried weight, and every goal felt like the unfurling of a new chapter. In a league where inconsistency often clouds progress, Ikorodu City brought structure, hunger, and artistry.

It’s players like Adelani and Cole who show us that talent flourishes when given the stage and the system. Adelani’s leadership and Cole’s fearless creativity weren’t accidental they were the fruits of a team that has started believing in its purpose. That purpose was visible in how Waliu marauded the flanks, how the midfield pressed without fear, and how substitutes like Dada seized their moment.

We must ask ourselves what this means for Nigerian football. When clubs like Ikorodu City rise, the league becomes more competitive, inspiring, and watchable. Their triumph lifts not only their fans but the entire footballing narrative of the country. This is the kind of performance that keeps young players dreaming and keeps supporters returning to the stands.

Let’s not let this be a one-off. Let’s demand more nights like this more poetry, more purpose. We’ve glimpsed the heights our league can reach, and we want more. Ikorodu City didn’t just win a match they lit a fire we must keep stoking.

Did You Know?

1. Ikorodu City FC was only founded in 2020, making it one of the youngest teams in the NPFL.
2. The Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly Onikan Stadium, is one of Nigeria’s oldest football grounds, with roots dating back to 1930.
3. Ayomide Cole once trained with a Scandinavian club before returning to pursue a professional career in Nigeria.
4. The NPFL record for the biggest margin of victory is 7-0, set by Enyimba International FC in 2001.
5. Ikorodu City FC’s youth academy has produced four players who’ve featured in national U-20 selections within the last two years.