Ikorodu City coach Bright Ozebagbe says his side deserved to win the Lagos Derby after being held to a goalless draw by Sporting Lagos at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
Ozebagbe was pleased with the discipline and resilience his players showed during the first half, but felt they failed to make the most of their opportunities when they were in control of the contest.
“I think we would have wrapped this up in the first half. The boys played with discipline, they were resilient,” Ozebagbe said after the match.
“But we had those moments where we had to come back and we didn’t come back.”
The coach acknowledged that Sporting Lagos applied pressure during periods of the second half as they gained momentum. He said Ikorodu City’s technical staff would now focus on ensuring the team responds more effectively in similar situations.
“We will go to the next game prepared to stay disciplined, try to work areas where we have to come back. We all looked great, but we didn’t come back. It’s a big worry. Hopefully, it turns out well for us.”
Although the result denied Ikorodu City a derby victory, Ozebagbe highlighted the quality and depth available within his squad. He also praised the substitutes who came on during the second half for helping the team maintain its stability.
“We have the depth in the team. Everybody that is part of the team is giving their best. That’s what we saw when we made those subs,” he added.
The draw brought a fiercely contested encounter between the two Lagos clubs to a scoreless conclusion, with neither side able to find the breakthrough.
The result means Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City shared the points, while Ikorodu City remain firmly positioned in the upper half of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) standings.