Sporting Lagos beat Gombe to earn first NPFL win

Sporting Lagos’ first game in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) ended in a comfortable 2-0 win over Gombe United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Monday, www.aclsports.com reports.

Rivio Ayemwenre and substitute Clement Naantaum scored in either half to hand the noisy Lagosians a win in their first-ever top-flight match.

The Lagos side, who got promoted via the Nigeria National League (NNL) playoffs alongside Heartland, Kano Pillars and Katsina United, showed no signs accustomed to newly promoted teams to get off on a winning start.

Sporting coach Paul Offor kept faith with most of the players that helped the side win the inaugural Super 8 competition in July for his first match as a top-flight coach, against Gombe United.

Forwards Jonathan Alukwu and Saturday Okon were lively from the get go as well as midfielder Rivio, however, they lacked the right connection in the final third to breach the backline of the visitors.

At the other end, former FC Ifeanyi Ubah striker Chijioke Alakwe raced through on goal, left Sporting defender Aliu Salawudeen for dead, but his effort lacked the necessary power to beat goalkeeper Christian Nwoke who claimed the ball gracefully.

Sporting Lagos kept pushing and Rivio was at the heart of everything. Gombe goalkeeper Itodo Akor’s loose service was intercepted by Alukwu and the forward then raced to the byline before crossing for Rivio to head home from inside the area three minutes before the break.

After the interval, the home side emerged trying to extend their lead as the visitors were looking for an equaliser.

Sporting Lagos and Gombe United coaches – Offor and his counterpart Mohammed Baba Ganaru – made changes in a bid to change the dynamics of the game and it was the former’s new entrants that combined for the game’s second goal.

Clement Naantaum and Junior Lokosa, who came in for Rivio and Okon moments earlier, connected at the right side of the box after a long ball from Patrick Nwokeji was misjudged by Gombe goalie Itodo and his backline. Lokosa’s attempted acrobatic effort wrong-footed the Scorpions backline gifting Clement the chance to finish calmly.

With the game entering its end, the visitors got a penalty after goalkeeper Nwoke clattered into Mojeeb Odufeso in the area. The forward stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his effort went off target via the upright as the game came to an end.

The fans and players were pleased with the outcome and they will hope to build on that performance when they travel to face Akwa United this weekend in Uyo. On the other hand, Gombe United will host Enyimba at the Patanmi Stadium in Gombe.