NPFL: Rangers dent Ikorodu City’s home debut

The first home game of Nigeria Premier Football League newcomers, Ikorodu City, became one to forget quickly as they lost 1-0 to champions Rangers International at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Chinemerem Ugwueze’s 25th-minute header was the difference between the two sides and also secured the first win of the season for Rangers.

Despite playing before their fans, who kept beaming with joy for having another NPFL team in Lagos, the home team struggled for composure in the early stages of the game and were further unsettled by the goal before the half-hour mark.

A Rangers shot took a wicked deflection for a corner kick, and the resulting set play was delivered by Kazeem Ogunleye, while Ugwueze applied a glancing header to silence the home fans.

Ikorodu City resumed the second half with more tenacity, stringing passes, but yet failed to create anything meaningful until the closing stages of the game.

Their best chance to level the scores came the way of Freedom Marvellous in the 75th minute, but he lashed his shot over the bar from inside the area after benefiting from a failed clearance.

Moments later, Saviour Godwin failed to double the advantage for Rangers, while Ayomide Cole also fired another tame shot inside the Rangers area after beating two defenders.

The final moments of the game were tense as expected, but Ikorodu City couldn’t maximise their chances as the visitors ran away with all three points.

The Oga Boys will host Nasarawa United in their next game on Saturday, while Rangers will proceed to Ikenne to face Remo Stars on Sunday.

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