NPFL: Tochukwu Udeh’s brace secure all three points for Sporting Lagos against Akwa United

Sporting Lagos gained promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League in 2023 and made an instant statement by winning the Naija Super 8 tournament.

A brace from box-to-box midfielder, Tochukwu Udeh, completed a late comeback for Sporting Lagos against Akwa United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Soccernet.ng reports.

The noisy Lagosians were beaten on the road by Gombe United last weekend after winning back-to-back games at home and took all three points in front of the happy corner today.

The hosts were without their top scorer, Jonathan Alukwu as the striker is rumoured to leave the club to join Austrian side, Linzer ASK.

Super Eagles striker, Junior Lokosa returned to the starting lineup, partnered alongside Clement Naantaum who nearly broke the deadlock after fifteen minutes, with his volley just wide off the mark.

The first half was mostly quiet, but the game sprung into life six minutes into the second half with Sani Suleiman scoring the opener for the the away side.

In search of a response, Coach Paul Offor made a triple change, with Phillip Kehinde, Henry Ndedi and Vincent Akpikpi coming in to replace Junior Lokosa, Jamil Muhammad and Isaac Annor.

A free kick on the edge of the box in the 84th minute gave Sporting the equalizer. A decoy run from Chinedu Ufere allowed Tochukwu to hit a curler with his left foot into the top corner, just like he did in their win over Bendel Insurance.

The game went a gear up as Sporting pressed for a winner, and Tochukwu struck again, sweeping the ball beyond the goalkeeper’s reach as the crowd at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium went wild.

Sporting Lagos have now won three home games in a row and are 13th on the NPFL table, four points above the relegation places.