NPFL Shock: Entertainers Ikorodu City fire blanks again despite return of Super Eagles star

Ikorodu City, famously known as the NPFL’s entertainers, have now gone two consecutive league matches without scoring after dropping crucial points in their latest home fixture.

The team, last season’s top scorers, suffered a frustrating goalless draw against El-Kanemi Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Ikorodu City’s adopted home ground.

The Oga Boys, who netted an impressive 60 goals last season, including 48 at home, the most in the league, began the 2025/26 campaign sluggishly.

After a promising goalless draw against FA Cup champions Kwara United on the road last weekend, Ikorodu City returned to Lagos with hopes of igniting their scoring form under new coach Ali Kandil, who replaced former coach Nurudeen Aweroro after his departure to Southwest rivals Shooting Stars.

However, their hopes were dashed as El-Kanemi Warriors managed to hold them to a scoreless stalemate on Sunday evening.

Despite the return of Super Eagles and CHAN 2024 star Shola Adelani, the Oga Boys struggled throughout the 90 minutes to break down a resilient Warriors side that appeared comfortable and unfazed by playing away from home.

Ikorodu City remain unbeaten against El-Kanemi Warriors and will look to rediscover their lethal scoring touch to bounce back in the league. El-Kanemi, on their part, gained four points from their opening two games in the new season, demonstrating a strong start.

Following the result in the Centre of Excellence, El-Kanemi moved up to third on the NPFL table with four points, with Ikorodu two points behind in 11th.

Ikorodu City will travel to Ibadan next to face their former coach Aweroro and Shooting in the Southwest derby, while El-Kanemi will look to build on their impressive start at home to former Super Eagles coach Finidi George’s Rivers United.