NNL Super 4: Sporting Lagos against Ranchers in opener

Tayo Ogunseye

You blink; you miss. The scenario is expected to play out in the Super 4 opening fixture between flamboyant Sporting Lagos and season sensation Ranchers at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Monday, May 4.

The Conference B winners, Sporting Lagos, are reveling in an abundance of confidence after grinding out critical results on their road to promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Top-striker Aliyu Baba, who finished the regular season with seven goals and 11 assists, is surely required by the “Noisy Lagosians” as fuel to give them something to shout about when they confront the “Pride of Kaduna” on Monday.

Baba ‘Father’, as his name implies, would give the direction of the attacks with partner Alex Leme and ever-enterprising Shola Oladunjoye, whose flair and guile have delivered when inspiration is required.

“Our plan is to win the NNL title”, declared Baba while chatting with the NNL Media.

Captain Solomon Uloko didn’t hide their ambition.

“Well, I’m very confident…you know, there is a set of people you will be working with, and you will just know that these ones want to win always. I will say I am working with such people from the coaches down to the players, so I’m very confident that we will lift the NNL trophy.”

Coach Jeffrey Buter, who was upgraded to the Team coach from an assistant this season, has shown remarkable results, especially with their biggest 5-1 season win against Stormers SC.

Their ever-loud supporters and new fans will be anxiously waiting for another dream ride into ecstasy when the referee blows the whistle for the chase to begin.

 Conference D winners, Ranchers of Kaduna, will be bringing their fairytale run before the Lagosians.

For newly rebranded Ranchers, their fans are still caught up in the ecstasy of witnessing the reincarnation of their beloved Ranchers Bees, who encapsulate fond memories created for them in their glory days 18 years ago.

Coach Ejoh Ahmad is clearly aware of these rare moments and would do all he can to keep the present aura and the newly revived followers in their present state by creating an upset against Sporting Lagos.

Daniel Johnson will be hoping for another feel-good run as the captain who wore the historical band of leading the Bees to a remarkable season if they win the NNL title.