NPFL: Ikorodu City, Remo Stars settle for the share of the spoils in derby

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A keenly contested tie saw Ikorodu City hold 10-man Remo Stars to a draw in the South West derby on Sunday in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

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The exciting encounter ended 1 goal apiece between the Oga Boys and the Sky Blue Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Ikorodu City was on the back of a loss after 8 matches without a loss while Remo Stars had defeated El Kanemi Warriors in their last game.

And it was the league leaders who showed more intensity at goal in the early stage of the game.

Franck Mawuena was found by Ibrahim Shuiab but the Togolese’s ball underneath the goalkeeper went inches wide just after 5 minutes of action.

3 minutes later the goal came, Ibrahim Shuaib got on to a fast throw by Ibrahim Abubakar, hit the shot, and found the back of the net.

The lead could have been doubled in the 11th minute but Ahmed Akinyele saw his shot in the box cleared off the line after a corner.

It was time for the home side to push for a goal, but goalkeeper Obassa Adebiyi did well to handle the ball for the first time of the host's long shot in 20 minutes.

Obassa Adebiyi came up big with a double save to deny Chineme and the follow-up from Shola 5 minutes to the end of the first half.

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Remo Stars came out in the second half with the first big chance after Faisal Sani's free-kick clipped the bar in the 56th minute.

However, things became challenging for the visitors in the 60th minute after Ahmed Akinyele got a red card after a second booking.

The push for an equalizer intensified for the hosts and it didn't come until the 90-minute mark when Chineme Chinonso headed Ikorodu City level off a cross from Salau Yusuf.

The two sides held on for the 1-1 draw even after 10 minutes of additional time at the end of the final whistle.

 

Uche Dozie