Lagos Liga: Five-star Balogun propels Krypton to victory over Koko in six-goal thriller

Wasiu Balogun starred at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium on Sunday, 8 December, 2024 as Krypton FC ran out 5-1 winners over Koko FC in their second group A encounter in the inaugural Lagos Liga tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Koko went into the game top of group A after picking up 4 points in the opening matchday. Krypton on the other hand were rooted at the bottom of the group as they sought to earn their first points of the tournament.

Krypton came close to breaking the deadlock very early into the game with Wasiu Balogun forcing a save off Ogundipe Emmanuel after a square ball from Sefiu Rahmoni.

The men in red dominated the early proceedings and finally got a much-deserved goal in the 9th minute through Sefiu Rahmon after Balogun nicked the ball off a Koko defender on the right and set up Sefiu who powered home Krypton’s first goal of the tournament.

Nwocha Martins replaced the injured Oduyemi Iretiouwla shortly after as Krypton continued to pressure the Koko goal. Nwocha played Sefiu through on goal 1v1 with Ogundipe Emmanuel but the man deputizing for Fisayo Ajao pulled off a fine save to deny Sefiu a second goal. Donald produced Koko’s first shot on target via a freekick on the right, but his looping effort was not enough to trouble the goalkeeper.

In the 18th minute of play, Sefiu missed yet another chance to put his team two goals clear of group Koko after he failed to power home Nwocha’s deep cross from the right flank beyond Ogundipe.

Sefiu finally doubled his own tally and his team’s lead in the last minute of the first half when he rounded Ogundipe to pass the ball into an empty net. Krypton dominated the game, limited Koko to counterattacks and deservedly ended the half with a two-goal advantage.

Substitute Oladehinde Sheriff scored Krypton’s third in the 21st minute through counter. Wasiu latched on to the loose ball on the right and cut the ball back into the box for Sheriff to tap home his first goal of the day. In the 23rd minute, Wasiu hit the underside of the crossbar with a powerful header after a one-time volley pass from Qudus.

Six minutes into the second half, Wasiu set up Sheriff again for the substitute’s second and Krypton’s fourth of the game. The second assist for Sheriff was Wasiu’s fourth in the game as he continued to terrorize the Koko backline.

Bakare Taiwo scored the first own goal of the tournament in the 34th minute when he turned the ball into his own net from Chisom’s cross off Koko’s right. Jamil Muhammad replaced the injured Olanrewaju Sanusi and scored Krypton’s fifth of the evening with the help of yet another Wasiu Balogun assist. The Morris Monye and Jesse Benedict boys held on to their 5-1 lead to secure their first victory of the tournament.

At the end of regular time, they also secured an extra point after defeating Koko in the penalty shootout, finishing matchday two in second place with 4 points and a +1 goal difference.

Applebee maintained first position with 4 points and a +3 goal difference ahead of their encounter with Jarus who are rooted to the bottom of group A with zero points. Koko, on the other hand, missed the chance to go clear at the top of the table after a regulation time and penalty shootout victory in their opening game. They now occupy third place on the log with 4 points and a -3 goal difference.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS