The sun-drenched afternoon at the Police Barracks Playing Field, Igbogbo Road, will be remembered for years to come. In front of a buzzing crowd, Alajede Active Talent FC etched their name into Ikorodu football history, overcoming an early setback to defeat Valour 1107 FC 2–1 and claim the 2025 Ikorodu Divisional Football Association (IDFA) League title.
The match began at a furious pace, with Valour striking first. Adebule Gbalohan finished off a brilliantly worked move, slotting the ball home to send the Valour fans into raptures. Their passing was crisp, their pressing relentless, and for a while, Alajede looked rattled.
But champions aren’t crowned without grit. Alajede regained composure, piling pressure on Valour’s defence. That persistence paid off when a Valour defender was penalised for a handball inside the box a moment that swung the momentum. Obaro Victor, calm under pressure, stepped up and coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the score before halftime.
The second half delivered the moment that will live in Alajede folklore. Timing his run to perfection, Obaro broke free from Valour’s high defensive line, latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball. With only the keeper to beat, he showed composure beyond measure, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give his side the lead. The stadium erupted chants of “Alajede! Alajede!” echoing through the air.
From there, it was all about discipline. Alajede’s backline held firm, midfielders threw themselves into every challenge, and Valour, try as they might, couldn’t find a way back into the game. When the referee’s final whistle sounded, the pitch was instantly flooded with jubilant players, staff, and fans in a sea of blue-and-white celebration.
This victory carries more than just silverware it secures Alajede Active’s qualification for the Lagos State League, a huge step forward for the club’s ambitions.
For Coach Arole, the win was particularly sweet. “Last year, we were also finalists but lost to a brilliant Utmost team,” he reflected. “We knew we had the quality to go one better this season and the boys have delivered.”
No one embodied that redemption story more than Samuel Mololo. A mainstay in the team, Mololo experienced the heartbreak of last season’s loss firsthand. This time, he was all smiles: “That defeat stayed with me all year. Coming back and winning it now… it’s the best feeling.”
For Alajede Active Talent FC, this was more than just a football match it was about resilience, redemption, and writing a new chapter in their history. And as they turn their eyes to the Lagos State League, one thing is clear: this team is not done making headlines.
