NNL: Sporting Lagos Beat Awka United To NPFL Promotion Race

NNL: Sporting Lagos Beat Awka United To NPFL Promotion Race

By Tayo Ogunseye

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.

The Lagos-based club who had 33 points from 17 matches knew anything short of victory in the Conference B last group game would truncate their dream of promotion 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.

NNL26 MD18 Results Conference B

Solution FC 1-2 Akwa United

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