July 11, (THEWILL) – Sporting Lagos staged a remarkable comeback, to defeat Remo Stars 2-1 in their Naija Super8 Group A clash, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Franck Mawuena put Remo Stars ahead in the 18th minute, heading the ball home after a pass from Isaac James. However, Sporting Lagos showed great resilience and equalised through Saturday Okon in the 27th minute. The winning goal came in the dying moments of the game when Chiemeka Nwokeji tapped in the rebound after Demola Bankole saved Emeka Offor’s penalty kick.
With this victory, Paul Offor’s side now leads Group A with four points, edging out their Western Nigeria rivals Remo Stars on goal difference. It is a truly redemptive Naija Super 8 Group A story for the very young team. Sporting Lagos showcased their fighting spirit to overcome that early setback and did not let up until they emerged triumphant against Remo Stars.
After Mawuena’s 18th-minute opener for Remo Stars, Sporting Lagos did not let their heads drop but responded swiftly, with Okon finding the back of the net in the 27th minute to level the scores. When the match seemed destined for a draw, Nwokeji’s 90th minute rebound after Bankole’s saved Offor’s penalty, was enough to earn Sporting a dramatic victory.
With four points from two games, Paul Offor’s side incredibly holds the top spot in Group A, narrowly ahead of Remo Stars due to their superior goal difference. In a group with champions Enyimba and hard-to-beat Remo Stars, no one could have given new boys, Sporting, a chance but they have taken the chances themselves and are making a mark in the Naija Super8 competition.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
