Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata has credited concentration, commitment and collective effort after the Oga Boys secured an impressive 2-0 victory over defending Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rangers International in their EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 6 encounter.
Sports247 reports that Ikorodu City produced a disciplined performance to claim all three points, with Atata highlighting the importance of maintaining focus throughout the encounter.
“Today was all about concentration from the first minutes to the end of the game,” Atata said after the match.
The hosts made a bright start and took the lead as early as the eighth minute through a superb free-kick from Aderemi Adeoye.
Adeoye’s well-struck effort gave Ikorodu City an early advantage and provided the platform for the hosts to settle into the contest against the reigning NPFL champions.
Rangers attempted to respond but were unable to find a way through Ikorodu City’s organised defence, with Atata and his teammates maintaining their concentration.
The goalkeeper acknowledged the significance of the fixture, stressing that the players understood both the physical and mental demands required to secure a positive result.
“It is the game we know what is at stake mentally and physically,” he added.
Ikorodu City continued to work hard after the interval and eventually doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute when Ikechukwu Junior found the back of the net.
The second goal gave the Oga Boys greater control and allowed them to manage the remainder of the contest, eventually securing a clean sheet and a memorable victory over the defending champions.
Atata said the team’s approach was centred on giving everything on the pitch and executing their responsibilities with the right level of commitment.
“It’s all about giving our all, putting the right effort and making sure we come out winning,” the goalkeeper explained.
The victory adds another positive result to Ikorodu City’s campaign as the club continues to establish itself as a competitive force in the NPFL.
For Atata, the focus remains firmly on taking the season one match at a time.
“We just try to take each day as it is, we try giving our all and we are grateful for every match,” he concluded.
With Adeoye’s early free-kick and Junior’s second-half strike securing the points, Ikorodu City will take confidence from a performance that combined attacking efficiency with defensive discipline.
