Sporting Lagos win 2-1 as coach urges NPFL fans to dream big this season

Sporting Lagos have retained the ValueJet Pre-Season Championship after defeating hosts Remo Stars 2-1 on Sunday, giving coach Jeffrey Buter reason to raise expectations before their return to the NPFL.

The Lagos club fell behind to neither an early setback nor the pressure of playing the competition hosts. Aliyu Baba and Sodiq Ayoade scored after the break to put Sporting Lagos in control, while Taiwo Oyetunde’s goal for Remo Stars was not enough to change the outcome.

The victory also strengthened the momentum built during the tournament. Sporting Lagos had earlier beaten Abia Warriors and Shooting Stars, then played out a goalless draw with Rivers United to secure their place in the final. Remo Stars pushed them hard in the deciding match, but Buter’s changes after half-time helped his team respond and disrupt the hosts’ approach.

The title is another success for Sporting Lagos at the same venue where they won the NNL Super-4 in May. It comes after two seasons in Nigeria’s second tier and offers an encouraging start to their first campaign back among the country’s top-flight clubs.

Buter believes the team can compete strongly in the NPFL and has pointed to the possibility of challenging for the title. He wants the players to carry their current confidence into the league, which will run over 38 matches, while also telling supporters that bigger ambitions are justified.

The coach will have former England-based youngster Jamiu Isa among his assistants as Sporting Lagos prepare for the new season. For the club, the pre-season trophy is both a retained title and evidence of a side seeking to make an immediate impression after promotion from the NNL.