Sporting Fc Lagos Back in the NPFL after beating Osun United
By Sunday Osunkwo
Sporting Lagos on Thursday secured the sole ticket to the Nigeria Premier Football League ahead of close rivals Akwa United after they defeated Osun United 1-0 in the Nigeria National League Conference B final match day at the Lanre Leke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo in Osun State.
Kudos to the magic wand of ace Radio Sports Presenter Godwin Enakhena.
The Lagos-based club who had 33 points from 17 matches knew anything short of victory in the Conference B last group game would turn their dream of promotion to reality as Akwa United with 32 points travelled to Solution FC of Anambra State.
There was palpable tension as both matches were expected to Kickoff simultaneously at 3pm.
In the 17th minute, Sporting Lagos took the initiative after Alex Leme headed in a cross from Aliyu Baba to put the Lagosians ahead.
Tricky winger Shola Oladunjoye had earlier picked the ball from the midfield after he intercepted an attack from Osun United before he fed Aliyu.
The first -half ended 1-0 as tension built up at the venue.
Meanwhile, there was a delayed kickoff in Awka.
Solution FC player had initially refused to proceed with the game before the issue was resolved.
When it eventually kicked off, Akwa United pushed and searched for a goal as they failed to convert their chances before the first half ended 0-0.
For fair play, the match restart at the Osun venue was delayed to align with the resumption in Awka.
Osun United began the second half on a high tempo as they pilled pressure on Sporting Lagos' defense in search for an equaliser.
As the game wore on, there was another delay in the restart between Solution FC and Akwa United.
However, intervention from top officials ensured it's resumption.
In the 50th minute, Aniebiet Sunday put the visitors ahead as he finished well from inside the box.
Michael Okenwa would doubled the lead with a powerful strike from outside the box to put the Promise Keeper firmly in charge. Solution FC got a consolatory goal as the match ended 2-1.
Meanwhile, the "Noisy Lagosians" endured a barrage of attacks as their hosts kept them largely in their half.
They however, remained resolute as they deflected all arsenal deployed by Osun United before the centre referee blew his final whistle and confirmed their new status as the winner of Conference B.
This also meant the Lagos-based club will campaign in the Premier League next season after finishing with 36 points from 18 matches ahead of Akwa United who garnered 35 points from the same number of matches.
Sporting Lagos have now joined Doma United and Inter Lagos for the NNL Super 4 contest in Ikenne next month as they await the last team from Conference D.
Results of NNL26 MD18
Conference B
Solution FC 1-2 Akwa United 0-1
Osun United 0-1 Sporting Lagos
Rovers FC 1-0 Abakaliki FC
FirstBank FC 3-3 Godswill Akpabio United
Stormers SC 0-2 Ekiti United
Email sundayonuchukwu1@gmail.com
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