Ikorodu City were dragged to a penalty shootout in the Lagos FA Cup semifinals by an obdurate and youthful Box 2 Box team.
Ikorodu City boss Sadiq Dabiri has explained why their FA Cup semifinal encounter against Box 2 Box was a difficult tie for his team.
Dabiri spoke to Pulse Sports Nigeria after his Oga Boys survived their opponents to book their place in the final of the Lagos FA Cup on Thursday.
Ikorodu and Box 2 Box locked horns in the second semifinal of the day at the Mobolaji Johnson centre with City goalkeeper, Victor Ogbonna, the hero of the day.
After 90 minutes, there was nothing to separate both teams as the game was decided via penalties, where Ogbonna stole the show with outstanding save to give Ikorodu City a 4-3 win.
What Ogbonna said to his teammates before penalty heroics
We know each other very well
After the game which saw his City Boys book a date with Smart City in the Lagos FA Cup final, Ikorodu boss, Dabiri, was not exactly a happy man.
Dabiri was unhappy that his team failed to take the one chance they created in the first half but added that the FA Cup tie was difficult for his Oga Boys because of familiar foes, Box 2 Box.
World richest footballers at the moment
"They are a very good side which we know very well and they know us too," Dabiri told Pulse Sports.
"We have played a couple of matches and won (them), so, every time we play them it's going to be a difficult game."
There are no pushovers
Having knocked out defending Champions, Dannaz FC, in the previous round, you can forgive the fans for hoping for a similar outcome when Ikorodu battled box 2 Box.
However, speaking further on the game, City coach, Dabiri, added that it was an interesting battle between two teams who had talented youngsters and were no pushovers.
"It was an interesting game," Dabiri added. "The two sides are very good (and) you cannot say they are pushovers because they can play. They have a bunch of young players that can play, so, it was difficult for us to even play."
"When he had the chance in the first half, we couldn't take it. That's what brought us to the penalty shootout."
Ikorodu City will join Smart City to represent Lagos state in the national compeptition, the Aiteo Cup.
Related content
13:00 - 17.03.2023
FEDERATION CUP What I told my teammates before penalty heroics, City Boy Ogbonna
The talented Oga Boy goalkeeper Victor Ogbonna never doubted he was going to be a hero for his club Ikorodu City in the Lagos FA Cup
22:01 - 16.03.2023
FEDERATION CUP Victor Ogbonna's penalty heroics power Oga Boys to FA Cup final
After taking down the defending champions Dannaz in the last four, Ikorodu City took a step closer to glory in the Lagos FA Cup thanks to their excellent goalkeeper.
12:50 - 16.03.2023
NNL Ikorodu City announce betting giants as front-of-shirt sponsors ahead of new season
Ikorodu City is one of 43 teams participating in the NNL this season.
11:03 - 14.03.2023
FEDERATION CUP City Boys dump defending champions Dannaz out of FA Cup
Oga Boys Ikorodu City were too good and hot to handle for Lagos FA Cup holders Dannaz football club.
11:45 - 14.02.2023
GRASSROOTS Friendly: Ikorodu City dismantle Sporting Lagos in six-goal thriller on Valentine's Day
The Ikorodu boys showed no love at all even on Valentine's Day as both sides clashed in Lagos.
19:00 - 17.02.2023
NNL Ikorodu City brush aside Sporting Lagos to emerge LSFA preseason champions
The Oga Boys have the early bragging rights after a deserved victory to show they are ready for the season.
09:39 - 21.06.2022
LAGOS FA CUP Ikorodu City boss rues missed chances in painful FA Cup defeat to MFM FC
The 'young blood' of Ikorodu City will return to the drawing board after showing a glimpse of what they are capable of as MFM FC ended their FA Cup aspirations in painful fashion.