Newly-promoted Nigeria Premier Football League side, Sporting Lagos defeated 2023 NPFL runners-up Remo Stars 4-2 on penalties to emerge champions of the maiden edition of the Naija Super 8 on Sunday and also bag the ₦25 million prize money.
Both sides were evenly matched in the first half of the exhilarating encounter at the fully-packed Mobolaji Johnson Arena during which an early effort from Saturday Okon of Sporting Lagos was denied by Remo Stars shot stopper Kayode Bankole before Isaac James’ header which hit the crossbar prevented an early Remo Stars lead.
The second period showed more promise as Sporting Lagos was rewarded for a better start with the opening goal of the game scored by defender Aliu Salaudeen from a rebound from close range.
Remo Stars soon threatened to level matters through substitute Sikiru Alimi whose shot sailed into the stands after a quick counter attack broke loose in the 58th minute.
Though they lacked cutting edge for the most part, Remo Stars continued to knock on the door and were denied controversially in the 88th minute when a well-worked team goal was cancelled due to the linesman deeming the scorer, Adams Olamilekan to be offside while replays showed that the call was incorrect.
This led to a pause in the game for a few moments during which Remo players protested to the referee about the decision which could not be rescinded.
Play resumed moments later with eight minutes allotted for stoppage time, during which Olamilekan continued his inspirational performance from the bench by scoring the equaliser off an assist by fellow substitute Alimi.
The game then went down to penalties after finishing 1-1 in normal time, during which Sporting Lagos goalie Kayode Bankole made two crucial saves to earn himself a hero status and help his team to the win.
SPORTING LAGOS.
NAIJA SUPER 8 WINNERS. pic.twitter.com/H6DKllLP2C
— Sporting Lagos (@SportingLagos) July 16, 2023
The victory marks the second time Sporting Lagos won against Remo Stars in the tournament after their 2-1 triumph in the group stage.
Remo on their part, walk home with a ₦9 million prize money for finishing as runners-up.
