NPFL: Sporting Lagos surrender three points in a nail-biting encounter against Lobi Stars

Sporting Lagos’s Jonathan Alukwu has been in fine form of late for the Noisy Lagosians, scoring four goals in his last four games.

Newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side, Sporting Lagos, lost their third game of the season against Lobi Stars, by a lone goal, Soccernet.ng reports.

The noisy Lagosians were back to winning ways after losing the South-West derby against Remo-Stars. They took three points against Niger Tornadoes, thanks to goals from their front-line duo, Junior Lokosa and Jonathan Alukwu.

A loss to Kwara United saw them bounce back with a 3-0 win at home against Rabiu Alli’s Kano Pillars, and they travelled to the Lafia Township Stadium with hunger for all three points.

Coach Paul Offor kept the frontline of Junior Lokosa and Jonathan Alukwu just as he did on Monday, and three minutes into the game, Junior Lokosa nearly scored.

The Super Eagles striker had a nibble at the opponent’s goal but was denied by the goalkeeper, and ten minutes later, it was Sporting’s Christian Nwoke who denied Lobi from point-blank range.

Seven minutes later, the Sporting goalkeeper was again, forced into another brilliant save, showing fans and Jose Peseiro why he deserves a shout for the upcoming 2024 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.

The host took the lead just before the half-hour mark. A corner kick found Sunday Chukwu in space, and the player wasted no time to score the goal that sent Lobi top of the league.

The second half started with Sporting trying to get an equalizer. Chances from Rivio and Alukwu came but couldn’t trouble the Lobi defence and as time went on, the game became less entertaining, as it looked like both sides had knocked themselves out.

Sporting have now picked up eleven points from their first eight games, winning three, drawing two, and losing three. Meanwhile, Lobi Stars have won five games and are currently top of the NPFL table.