NPFL: Akpipki sees red as Sporting Lagos draw Shooting Stars in first South-West derby of the year

Sporting Lagos found themselves in the relegation spot for the first time this season last weekend after they fell to defeat against Enyimba.

Sporting Lagos kicked off their new year at home in a thrilling encounter, drawing 2-2 against Shooting stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Soccernet.ng reports.

The noisy Lagosians lost to defending NPFL Champions, Enyimba, last weekend, conceding two goals, and were optimistic about their first home outing of the year.

Coach Paul Offor was enthusiastic about the first South-West derby of the year, claiming the support in front of the noisy Lagosians and the Happy corner should cheer his team on and provide enough motivation for them to right their wrongs.

Jonathan Alukwu and Junior Lokosa started up front for the Lagos faithful, and had the chance to break the deadlock fifteen minutes into the game, but Jonathan’s header was just wide.

Chinedu Ufere opened the scoring for the home side with five minutes left to go to half time. The referee added eight additional minutes which saw two more goals scored in the game.

Just on the 45th minute mark,  Ademola equalized for the away side, before the referee pointed to the spot two minutes later, awarding a penalty to the home side.

Jonathan Alukwu remained calm and sent his penalty into the top corner, before hitting Cristiano Ronaldo’s Siuuuuuuu celebration in front of the Happy Corner.

Monday scored the equalizer for Shooting Stars five minutes into the second half, before Vincent Akpipki was given his marching orders after collecting his second yellow card in the late minutes of the game.

Today’s draw was the sixth of the season for Paul Offor’s men, putting them in the 16th position on the league table, a point above the relegation spots.