Scare
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Aug. 30, 2026 (NAN) Ikorodu City FC rallied from a goal down to defeat Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) returnees Ranchers Bees 3-1 in their opening fixture on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2026/2027 NPFL Match Day One encounter was played at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
Ranchers Bees, returning to Nigeria’s top flight after 16 years, threatened to spoil Ikorodu City’s home opener with an early breakthrough.
The Kaduna-based side last featured in the elite division during the 2009/2010 season before securing promotion in April 2026.
Ranchers Bees striker, Jude Okorie, stunned the home supporters in the seventh minute, producing a solo effort to give his side an early advantage.
Ikorodu City responded strongly, with new signing, Umar Dan’Azumi, restoring parity in the 38th minute after a coordinated attacking move.
The Oga Boys continued to dominate proceedings and completed their first-half comeback through Abayomi Ayodeji in added time.
Ayodeji skilfully nutmegged Ranchers Bees defenders before curling a delightful low effort into the bottom corner in the 45th-plus-fourth minute.
Ikorodu City head coach, Bright Ozebagbe, subsequently introduced Gift Udoh for Ujunwa Elijah, strengthening his midfield as the hosts sought greater control.
The hosts maintained pressure after the interval, while Ranchers Bees attempted to recover from their first-half setback and remain competitive.
Ikorodu City eventually secured the points in the 87th minute when captain Farouk Salami converted from the penalty spot.
The penalty followed a handball by a Ranchers Bees defender, who stopped Tomiwa Awojobi’s goal-bound effort inside the area.
The defender was subsequently shown a red card, leaving Ranchers Bees with 10 players for the closing stages.
Salami calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete Ikorodu City’s 3-1 victory and secure their first home win.
Speaking after the match, Ikorodu City player, Adam Abdulrahman, described the result as important for the team.
“We are glad to win the first game because it is important to us as a team.
“This is our first match of the season. We were not really scared to come from behind; we only needed to be patient,” he said.
Ranchers Bees right-back, Aminu Baba, however, attributed his team’s defeat partly to what he considered unfavourable refereeing decisions.
“The referee’s decision did not favour us at all, but we have to accept the defeat.
“We will have to bounce back in our next game because we have learnt our lessons, which have also boosted our morale,” he said.
NAN reports that the result gives Ikorodu City an ideal start, while Ranchers Bees must regroup after their difficult return to top-flight football.
The match also marked an encouraging return for Ranchers Bees, whose promotion ended a 16-year absence from Nigeria’s elite football division.
KOJE/KTO
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