Lagos-based side, Ikorodu City, has emerged champions of the just-concluded Valuejet Cup tournament, beating five (5) seasoned NPFL sides to the trophy
Ikorodu City, fresh off the backs of their first season in the NPFL where they proved doubters wrong, have taken it a step further, defeating seasoned NPFL sides Remo Stars, Shooting Stars, Kwara United, Abia Warriors, and Rivers United to this year’s Valuejet title.
Ikorodu City came back from a 2-0 first-half deficit to tie Rivers United courtesy two goals from their Captain, Tosin Oyedokun who finished off a lovely team move to get his team within touching distance of the equalizer, before slotting in a penalty to draw his team level. Ikorodu then held on to earn a point, putting pressure on Kwara United who had to avoid defeat to win the Valuejet Cup.
With three teams tied on seven (7) points ahead of the final game of the Valuejet Cup, Kwara United just needed to hold their nerve and avoid defeat against Shooting Stars to win the trophy. Shooting Stars however had other plans, with Abbey Adegoke giving the visitors the lead to hand the trophy over to Ikorodu City at their second time of asking, with their superior goal difference earning them the ultimate honour.
Looking ahead to NPFL season.
Ikorodu City will look to build on this momentum going into their second NPFL season, with an away visit to Valuejet contenders Kwara United as their first hurdle. The young club have lost a lot of their high performers from last season, with bigger clubs scooping up their most prized possessions ahead of the new campaign.
Most notably, Captain of the side Waliu Ojetoye, Salami Farouk, and Chibuike Prestige were scooped up by Hapoel Jerusalem of Isreal, Sellier & Belliot Vlasim of Czech Republic and FK Vora of Albania respectively.
Administratively, Ikorodu City also lost their Head Coach, Nurudeen Aweroro and one of their most public facing directors, Tobi Adepoju, who resigned and teamed up with his boyhood club, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, as Sporting Director.
Ikorodu City will hope to better their fourth placed finish from last season as they begin life with Head Coach Ali Kandil.
