Ikorodu City FA earned a dramatic and well-deserved promotion to the Nigeria National League on Monday morning, capping off an electrifying Matchday 3 at the Nationwide League One (NLO) playoffs in Ijebu Ode.
Coming into their final group match, Ikorodu City FA were level on points with Magic Stars FC but trailed on goal difference. That meant one thing—they had to win, and they had to win big. It was a high-pressure assignment, and the young Lagos team rose to the challenge.
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But the day didn’t start as planned. Franceex United stunned the Ikorodu crowd by taking an early lead in the 5th minute through Gabriel Kennedy, and that scoreline held until halftime. With nerves building in the stands and on the pitch, the team returned for the second half knowing what was at stake.
Willie Kammonke struck early after the restart in the 51st minute to restore parity. Ten minutes later, Ibifubara Dagogo calmly slotted home a penalty to give Ikorodu City a 2-1 lead. The momentum kept building.
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In the 71st minute, the pressure forced an own goal from Franceex United’s Azeez Abubakar, and by the time Famoyegun Michael netted a fourth in stoppage time, the Ijebu Ode stadium erupted — Ikorodu City FA had done enough.
Meanwhile, over on the practice pitch, Magic Stars were battling Lekki United. They too needed a convincing win to keep their promotion hopes alive. Samuel Olawale and Sesan Israel both found the net to give Magic Stars a 2-0 victory. But it wasn’t enough.
Ikorodu City FA’s 4-1 victory gave them the superior goal difference, pushing them above Magic Stars and into the Nigeria National League.
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The Lagos outfit now joins seven other teams who earned promotion through the NLO playoffs this season:
Promoted Teams to Nigeria National League (2025):
Northern Conference:
- Mai Kunkelle United – Niger State
- Kano Ambassadors – Kano State
- Warinje FC – Bauchi State
- City FC – FCT, Abuja
Southern Conference:
- Stormers SC – Ogun State
- Hammola FC – Osun State
- E-World United – Cross River State
- Ikorodu City FA – Lagos State
This promotion marks a new chapter for Ikorodu City FA, a club with rising ambition and a growing youth setup that continues to make Lagos proud.
Picture Credit: Ikorodu City FA Facebook Page
