Giwa FC claimed the full points at the Onikan Stadium also known as the Onikan Waterfront through the late strike of pacy Amos Gyang to defeat Ikorodu United 2-1 and emerge as the only side to win on the road on Match Day 7 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Jos club hatched a training ground routine from a free kick which saw Gyang sell a dummy to displace Ikorodu United's wall of defence to create space for himself before firing fiercely into the top corner past the goalkeeper of the hosts, Jimmy Bello Onyx.
Giwa FC made their intentions clear that they were in Lagos for the three points when Ibrahim Salawu caught Ikorodu United's defence flat with a diagonal pass to set up Shittu Lawal who took the defenders in a run and delivered a low cross in front of goal which David Sunday tapped in to put Giwa FC in the lead.
Ikorodu United's Ifegwu Ojukwu responded in the 19th minute with a cheeky lob over onrushing goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo to put the hosts on level terms with Giwa FC before the break.
With both teams levelled at 1-1, it looked like Ikorodu United would seize the moment after the break but seasoned coach Gbenga Ogunbote had other tricks as he had Giwa FC soak the pressure and then decided to chase the full points by sending on striker Omotayo Adebogun and midfielder Charles Henlong to give his team more verve in attack and stability in the middle of the park.
Ogunbote's substitutions did prove inspiring as Adebogun and Henlong were influential in their late charge for the three points. However, Gyang was the man that inflicted a first defeat on Ikorodu United in front of their fans two minutes to the end of the game.
The home defeat makes it three losses in a row for Ikorodu United who have now conceded nine goals in their three last games.
Ikorodu United coach Edema Benson simply could not contain his grief at the poor showing of his team as he remained downcast and unable to speak. His assistant, Ikechukwu Emecheta believes however that they need psyching up to help them recover from the streak of losses and measure up to the contest.
Interestingly, the club have reportedly hired a new coach in former Nigerian international Sam Okpodu, who only recently left Warri Wolves and is now expected to man the saddle as they go away to Nasarawa United in their next match.
