In what can only be described as a dream debut season, Ikorodu City Football Academy is turning heads and dominating the landscape of the 2024 Nationwide League One (NLO One). With seven wins from seven games in Legacy Group B, the “Young Oga Boys” are not just contenders—they’re setting a new standard.
This team, a youth extension of Ikorodu City FC, which nearly clinched a continental ticket in their maiden NPFL campaign, has carried the same fearless identity into the country’s third-tier division. Against seasoned NLO sides and former NNL teams, the academy boys have been untouchable.
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Seven Games, Seven Wins, No Draws, No Losses
Their campaign began against Dannaz FC, a tough test that started shakily after conceding in the 4th minute. But resilience kicked in, and a flurry of goals—two each from Ezekiel Samuel and Okeh Emmanuel—sealed a stunning 4-1 comeback.
Next up was the experienced Gbagada FC. In a match that could have gone either way, it was Ikorodu City FA who edged it 2-1, with goals from Musa Maliq and the ever-reliable Okeh Emmanuel.
Perhaps their most telling result came against Spartans FC, a side with strong NNL credentials. Despite pre-match predictions favoring the older team, the Academy boys held their ground, recording a mature 2-0 win through strikes by Gift Udoh and—you guessed it—Okeh Emmanuel.
The tightest challenge came from Crime Fighters FC, who tested the young squad’s composure. But Ikorodu City FA prevailed again, winning 3-1 with goals from Ezekiel Samuel, Abdulazeez Alamu, and Emmanuel (yes, again).
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By the time they met Ojodu City FC—a side that nearly gained NNL promotion last year—the stakes were sky-high. It was a potential group decider. Once again, despite conceding early, Ikorodu City FA rallied to a 3-1 win courtesy of goals from Samuel, Dagogo Ibifubara, and Willie Kamonke.
Their sixth game against The Lord’s Favour FC was a gritty affair. Basit Ayinde and Ezekiel Samuel scored the decisive goals in a 2-1 win. And in their most recent outing, a lone goal from Samuel was enough to dispatch Switch FC 1-0.
A Perfect Record, A Playoff Dream
With two matches left to play, Ikorodu City FA sits atop the group with 21 points. Their closest challengers, Spartans FC, trail by five points on 16. Just one more point in the final two matches will guarantee Ikorodu City FA a place in the NNL promotion playoffs in Ijebu Ode.
There, they will face the winners of the Maracana A, Maracana B, and Legacy B groups.
From high-intensity matches to relentless belief, the “Young Oga Boys” have shown they belong at a higher level. The big question now is, can they finish the fairy tale and secure a place in the Nigeria National League?
Time will tell. But if the past seven matches are anything to go by, Ikorodu City FA is ready for the next chapter.
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