NPFL MD 21: Ikorodu City Humble Kano Pillars with a Resounding 4-1 Victory

Ikorodu City Kano Pillars

Ikorodu City FC announced their presence in the NPFL in style, delivering a statement 4-1 victory over Kano Pillars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Wednesday. In what was their first home game of 2025 and the second match of the second stanza, the Lagos-based side avenged their 3-0 defeat from the season’s opening fixture against Pillars.

Ikorodu City Kano Pillars

Ikorodu City wasted no time stamping their authority on the match. Just three minutes in, Shola Adelani rose highest to nod in a near-post header from a Salau Yusuf corner, giving the Oga Boys an early lead.

The home side doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when Harrison Austin unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, capping off another well-worked corner from Salau Yusuf, who bagged his second assist of the game.

Ikorodu City Kano Pillars
Harrison Austin celebrates after his goal.

Ten minutes later, Adelani struck again, taking his tally to three goals in two consecutive games. However, Kano Pillars found a way back in the 37th minute, pulling one back just before halftime to keep the contest alive.

Ikorodu City resumed the second half determined to maintain their dominance. Their persistence paid off in the 54th minute when Harrison Austin’s direct corner was inadvertently turned into the net by veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali, restoring the two-goal cushion for the hosts.

Kano Pillars thought they had cut the deficit again in the 69th minute when Mustapha Umar found the back of the net, but his effort was ruled out for handball.

Moments later, Ikorodu City made a tactical change, bringing on Ayomide Cole, and it took just three minutes for him to make an impact. In the 73rd minute, Cole blasted a fierce shot past the goalkeeper to seal the game at 4-1, with Salau Yusuf registering his third assist of the match.

With this emphatic win, Ikorodu City have now scored 32 goals this season—the highest by any team in the NPFL. They have also netted three or more goals in a match on five occasions, proving their attacking might.

The victory lifts them to fifth on the NPFL table in their debut season, further solidifying their credentials as a force to reckon with in the league.

Defending champions Enugu Rangers suffered another setback, falling 2-1 to El Kanemi Warriors, a result that dropped them to sixth place with 31 points, while El Kanemi climbed to fourth with 32.

League leaders Remo Stars staged a stunning comeback against Abia Warriors, overturning a 2-0 deficit to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory. Franck Mawuena’s 54th-minute header secured all three points, extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points with 42.

Meanwhile, Shooting Stars continued their impressive run with a 2-0 win over Nasarawa United, marking their sixth consecutive victory without conceding a goal. The Oluyole Warriors now sit second with 36 points as they prepare for a tough away fixture against Plateau United.

Ikorodu City Kano Pillars

Bayelsa United also produced a dominant display, thrashing Sunshine Stars 4-1 to move up to 11th, while Akwa United and Lobi Stars settled for a 1-1 draw in Uyo, as both teams continue their battle to avoid relegation.