NNL: Sporting return to NPFL as Lagos gets three teams

By Pius Ayinor and Tayo Ogunseye

Sporting Lagos on Thursday secured a ticket to the Nigeria Football Premier League ahead of their close rivals, Akwa United. Sporting defeated Osun United 1-0 in the Nigeria National League Conference B final match on the final day at the Lanre Leke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo, Osun State.

The Lagos centre now has three clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League: Sporting, who just joined, Inter Lagos, who also just got promoted, and Ikorodu City, who are in their third season.

The Lagos-based club that had 33 points from 17 matches knew anything short of victory in Conference B’s last group game would truncate their dream of promotion as Akwa United, with 32 points, travelled to Solution FC of Anambra State.

There was palpable tension as both matches were expected to kick off simultaneously at 3pm.

In the 17th minute, Sporting Lagos took the initiative after Alex Leme headed in a cross from Aliyu Baba to put the Lagosians ahead.

Tricky winger Shola Oladunjoye had earlier picked the ball from the midfield after he intercepted an attack from Osun United before he fed Aliyu.

The first half ended 1-0 as tension built up at the venue.

Meanwhile, there was a delayed kickoff in Awka.

Solution FC players had initially refused to proceed with the game before the issue was resolved.

When it eventually kicked off, Akwa United pushed and searched for a goal as they failed to convert their chances before the first half ended 0-0.

For fair play, the match restart at the Osun venue was delayed to align with the resumption in Awka.

Osun United began the second half on a high tempo as they piled pressure on Sporting Lagos’ defence in search of an equaliser.

As the game wore on, there was another delay in the restart between Solution FC and Akwa United.

However, intervention from top officials ensured its resumption.

 In the 50th minute, Aniebiet Sunday put the visitors ahead as he finished well from inside the box.

Michael Okenwa would double the lead with a powerful strike from outside the box to put the Promise Keeper firmly in charge. Solution FC got a consolation goal as the match ended 2-1.

Meanwhile, the “Noisy Lagosians” endured a barrage of attacks as their hosts kept them largely in their half.

They, however, remained resolute as they deflected all arsenal deployed by Osun United before the centre referee blew his final whistle and confirmed their new status as the winner of Conference B.

This also meant the Lagos-based club will campaign in the Premier League next season after finishing with 36 points from 18 matches, ahead of Akwa United, which garnered 35 points from the same number of matches.

Sporting Lagos have now joined Doma United and Inter Lagos for the NNL Super 4 contest in Ikenne next month as they await the last team from Conference D.

NNL26 MD18 Results Conference B

Solution FC 1-2 Akwa United

Osun United 0-1 Sporting Lagos

Rovers FC 1-0 Abakaliki FC

FirstBank FC 3-3 Godswill Akpabio United

Stormers SC 0-2 Ekiti United

Photo: Players of Sporting Lagos in celebration.