NPFL: Sporting Lagos drop three points against Mikel Obi’s former club

Sporting Lagos last won a game at the start of December when they welcomed Kano Pillars to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos State.

Sporting Lagos ended the year with a loss to Mikel Obi’s former club, Plateau United at the New Jos Stadium, as a lone goal from Albert Hilary helped the host secure all three points, Soccernet.ng reports.

2023 has been a year of highs and lows for the Noisy Lagosians. Under Coach Paul Offor, they gained promotion from the NNL to the Nigerian top-flight League, and won the maiden edition of the Naija Super 8 tournament, defeating Remo Stars.

However, their journey at the highest level of Nigerian football hasn’t been a smooth one, as they’ve won just four games out of fifteen in the NPFL.

Hoping to end the year on a high, Sporting travelled to Plateau state, desperate for their first-ever away win in the league. Jonathan Alukwu was reinstated into the starting eleven, as Junior Lokosa was dropped to the bench after a poor run of form.

The first meaningful chance of the game came just after the twenty-minute mark. A long-range shot from the opposition on Sporting’s goal, but Christian Nwoke was equal to it.

Chisom Orji and Emmanuel Odibo were denied twice by the woodwork as Coach Offor’s men came close to breaking the deadlock twice before the end of the first half.

The second half saw fewer goal attempts, but Albert Hilary, who had scored five goals in his last three games came close for the hosts.

Hilary scored his sixth goal in four games with thirteen minutes on the clock. The Sporting defence switched off and the striker capitalized, sweeping in a thunderbolt to score the only goal of the game.

Sporting Lagos have now lost six games in the NPFL, and are just a point above the relegation spots. The noisy Lagosians have scored thirteen goals and conceded thirteen in fifteen games.

 

 

 

 

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

Share
Published by
Adefolahan Guerreiro

Recent Posts

West Ham rekindle interest in Super Eagles striker despite Nottingham Forest stance

English Premier League side, West Ham United, have rekindled their interest in Super Eagles and… Read More

16 minutes ago

Super Eagles B team: Eric Chelle to oversee three coaches for CHAN tournament– Eguavoen excluded

Malian gaffer, Eric Chelle, will not lead the Super Eagles B team to the 8th… Read More

17 minutes ago

Free-scoring Nigerian winger set to return to Europe after failed stint in the United Arab Emirates

Swiss giants FC Basel have finalised a loan deal for Nigerian winger Philip Otele from… Read More

24 minutes ago

Napoli weigh up €40m bid for Borussia Dortmund’s fufu-man with strong Nigerian ties

Italian Serie A side, Napoli, are weighing up a move for Germany and Borussia Dortmund… Read More

43 minutes ago

Super Eagles coach: Why NFF may have handed Eric Chelle jersey number 12 – Photo

Newly appointed head coach of the Super Eagles, Éric Chelle, has sparked curiosity after being… Read More

1 hour ago

Besiktas eyeing Super Eagles star to rival Ciro Immobile

Former Turkish Super Lig champions Besiktas have reignited their interest in Super Eagles striker Paul… Read More

2 hours ago