By Tayo Ogunseye
Akinwale Oriyomi emerged as the hero for Inter Lagos after scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to rescue his side from defeat in an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Lagos derby against Ikorodu City in the Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 12 encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on Monday.
The fiercely contested derby lived up to expectations, with both sides displaying determination and attacking intent in their quest for maximum points and local bragging rights.
Ikorodu City, came into the encounter occupying 13th position with 14 points, while Inter Lagos were desperate to improve their position at the bottom of the table, having managed just three points from 11 matches.
With centre referee Salami Olabode Idris signalling the start of proceedings, both teams wasted little time in taking the game to each other.
Inter Lagos made the early advances, with John Danga and Auwal Aliyu missing promising opportunities within the opening three minutes.
Ikorodu City gradually settled into the contest and responded with attacking moves of their own.
Ujunwa Elijah forced a fine save from Inter Lagos goalkeeper Adegboyega Semiu, while Super Eagles invitee Ikechukwu Junior fired a dangerous effort across goal.
As the intensity increased, the referee was forced to caution players from both sides for their challenges.
Inter Lagos eventually broke the deadlock in the 40th minute through Danga, who showed composure inside the penalty area to evade an Ikorodu City defender before moving towards the edge of the box and firing into the bottom-right corner.
The visitors almost doubled their advantage two minutes later, but Uchenna Njoku failed to capitalise on a promising opportunity.
Ikorodu City returned for the second half with renewed determination, pushing forward in search of an equaliser in front of their home supporters.
Their persistence paid off when Inter Lagos committed two defensive errors inside the penalty area on separate occasions, handing the hosts two opportunities from the spot.
Substitute Abayomi Ayodeji made no mistake, converting both penalties in the 59th and 63rd minutes to turn the game around and put Ikorodu City 2-1 ahead.
With time running out, Inter Lagos intensified their search for an equaliser, while the hosts looked to extend their advantage and secure all three points.
The visitors came close to restoring parity in the 80th minute but failed to convert their opportunity.
However, just when Ikorodu City appeared to have secured victory, a costly defensive error in stoppage time changed the complexion of the encounter.
Defender Tomisin Adebayo attempted to prevent the ball from going out for a corner kick by stopping it on the goal line, but the ensuing scramble between opposing players presented Inter Lagos with another opportunity.
The loose ball fell kindly to Oriyomi, who unleashed a superb volley into the back of the net, leaving Ikorodu City goalkeeper Faisal Umar helpless and sending the Inter Lagos bench into celebration.
Oriyomi’s name literally means ‘saviour.’
The late strike ensured both sides settled for a share of the spoils in a pulsating derby.
Reacting after the match, Ikorodu City’s assistant coach, Washington Egor, blamed his team’s late loss of concentration for allowing Inter Lagos back into the game.
”What can we do? There was nothing else to do because we lost concentration towards the end of the game. The game came as a draw. I think with a point, we have to manage it,” Egor said.
Meanwhile, Inter Lagos interim coach Olusanjo Olutayo expressed delight with his players’ performance, praising their character and determination, particularly after falling behind.
Olutayo said the team had responded positively to criticism and demonstrated the fighting spirit required to compete at the highest level.
”What I did like is a show of character. It’s a response from my players. Someone would say, why did you call them cowards? But they showed the response.
”Even at 2-1 down, we could have said we tried, we fought, but they gave their best. They dug in, even the substitutes gave their all, and we were able to get the goal in the end,” he said.
The result leaves both Lagos clubs with a point from a derby that produced four goals, two second-half penalties and a dramatic finish.