Nigeria, Aug. 22 -- Ikorodu City's rise in Nigerian football has been nothing short of remarkable.

From fighting for relevance just a few years ago, the Lagos-based side is now preparing for only its second-ever season in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a new man in charge: Ali Kandil.

Kandil, who served as assistant coach last season, has now stepped up to the helm following the exit of coach Aweroro to Shooting Stars Sports Club, Ibadan.

In his very first preseason in charge, he has already delivered silverware, guiding the Oga Boys to a trophy at the recent ValueJet Preseason tournament.

But as Kandil told PREMIUM TIMES in an exclusive sit-down ahead of the NPFL's kickoff on 22 August, the preseason success is only ...