Sporting Lagos have sealed a sensational promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following a 2-0 win over Stormers SC at the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 Playoffs, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Lagos side backed their opening day win over FC ONE Rocket up with a gritty win over Stormers at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Rivio Ayemwenre and Saturday Okon scored the goals in the second half to secure one of the promotion tickets in the Southern Conference with just a game to spare. Heartland also claimed a 1-0 win over FC ONE Rocket to get their aspirations back on track.
In the Northern Conference, Kano Pillars took a huge step towards promotion following a 2-0 win over DMD after Katsina United surprisingly lost to EFCC 2-1.
THE DAY AS IT HAPPENED!
NORTHERN CONFERENCE
Kastina United missed the chance to book their place in the NPFL next season following a shock 2-1 loss at the hands of EFCC. The “Eagles Eyes Boys” took a two-goal lead through Abdulkarim Amar’s brace but Victor Mbaoma halved the deficit before the break to take his tally to three goals from two games. Goalkeeper Utum Godswill denied the Changi Boys from the spot in the second half to ensure his side take all three points.
In the other game, Kano Pillars made light work of DMD, as Mubarak Sanni and Abdullahi Haruna scored in either half to inch close to sealing promotion to the NPFL for next season just like Sporting Lagos.
Consequently, Pillars need just a point against Katsina United in the final group game on Wednesday to seal their return, while EFCC could gain promotion if they beat DMD and Katsina United fail to beat Pillars by a wide margin.
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Sporting Lagos booked their place in next season’s NPFL following a nervy 2-0 win over Stormers SC. After a goalless first half, Rivio Ayemwenre handed Paul Offor’s side the lead shortly after the interval, as Stormers kept pushing for a goal of their own.
Sporting’s goalkeeper Christian Nwoke made some stunning stops during the onslaught including a penalty save in the dying embers of the game. Deep into stoppage time, Okon raced through on goal following a swift counter-attack and kept his composure before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper to secure the win.
aErlier, Heartland defeated FC ONE Rocket 1-0 to get their first win of the playoffs. Olasunkanmi Quadri’s goal in the first half sent the Akwa Ibom side out of the tournament.
Action will resume at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Wednesday with three more NPFL tickets to be taken.
Matchday Three: Wednesday, July 5
Northern Conference
DMD FC Vs EFCC (9am)
Katsina United Vs Kano Pillars (11am)
Southern Conference
Stormers SC Vs FC ONE Rocket (2pm)
Heartland FC Vs Sporting Lagos (4pm)
