By Our Reporter in Lagos
IKORODU CITY blew the NPFL title race wide open on Sunday afternoon as Joseph Arumala’s goal-scoring heroics inspired the ‘Oga Boys’ to a clinical 2-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes.
On a sweltering afternoon at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Arumala proved he is the man for the big occasion, bagging a brace that catapulted the Lagos side to the top of the table.
The result leaves the Tornadoes spinning and reinforces City’s status as the league’s most dangerous giant-killers.
The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Ikorodu’s livewire, Chidera Oparaocha, was hacked down in the box after a dizzying run that left the Tornadoes’ defense in knots.
Arumala stepped up with ice in his veins, coolly slotting the penalty past the keeper to send the home fans into a frenzy.
Tornadoes threatened to blow back in the second half, with Ahmadu Liman forcing a world-class save from City stopper Michael Atata. But while the visitors huffed and puffed, they couldn’t blow the Ikorodu house down.
As the clock ticked toward 90, Arumala struck again.
Launched by a pin-point counter-attacking ball from skipper Tosin Oyedokun, the winger showed lightning pace before firing home his second of the afternoon in the 88th minute.
The win sees Ikorodu City leapfrog their rivals to claim the league summit with 41 points, continuing a sensational home run that has seen them go unbeaten in 13 matches at their Onikan fortress.
IKORODU CITY (4-3-3): Atata; Uche, Ohaegbulam, Freedom, Olatunji; Oyedokun, Uzondu, Ojetoye; Arumala, Oparaocha, Alade.
