Bottom-placed Ikorodu United, winless in their previous 11 games before their match against Heartland on Saturday, clawed their way from behind to stun the Owerri club at the Agege Stadium in a Match Day 14 clash of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The 'Oga Boys' were pegged back by the Naze Millionaires for most part of the first half. Heartland's possession was rewarded in the 10th minute when Anthony Oussou headed the visitors ahead after a flowing move.
The Ikorodu boys were struggling to stop the flowing play of the visitors. What would have been Heartlands's second goal was wasted by Bright Ejike who nodded over the bar when it seemed easier to score. An indication of what was to come came with five minutes to go in the first half when Moses Ebiye flashed a shot from outside the box with Heartland goalkeeper Philip Acho struggling to save.
The game sparked into life in added time of the first half when Ikorodu United striker Merenini Junior's goal ensured that both side went into the break tied at 1-1.
A more confident Ikorodu United team made sure that Heartland's attack on their goal was reduced to long range efforts. In the 66th minute, Ebiye put the home team ahead against the run of play.
Any hope of a fightback by the Naze Millionaires ended when Zoumana Doumbia received a red card for his foul on Ebiye in the box. Ojukwu Ifegwu stepped up to score with seven minutes to the end of the game.
A visibly elated Ikorodu United coach Sam Okpodu described the victory as reward for the hard work of his boys. "These boys can play when the conditions are right and I am delighted that they rose to the occasion today. These boys will take the league by storm all we need is to get our confidence right and people will see what we can do," Okpodu said.
Okpodu also had kind words for the fans: "The fans were just fantastic are we appreciate the support given to us today."
Heartland's goalscorer Oussou believes they should collectively share the blame for their defeat. "We went to sleep after we scored and this gave the Ikorodu United boys the confidence to attack us. I am very disappointed with the result and we will go home and hopefully work on our team for the next game."
Ikorodu United are placed last on the league table with nine points from 14 games.
By Alfred Okoligwe
