Inter Lagos FC are facing an unusual dilemma of choosing between sportsmanship and rivalry, as they are staying in the same hotel with their first opponent at the 2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super-4.
Sports247 gathered that, in an uncanny coincidence of fate, a decision by the club’s management to book the squad into a hotel several kilometres away at Ijebu Ode saw them end up in the same abode with Doma United of Gombe.
However, while Doma United were able to get a feel of the match venue’s pitch at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Sunday evening, less than 24 hours to kick-off, Inter Lagos did not turn up at the arena.
It was gathered that the club’s management felt it would be better to keep the team away from prying eyes of their opponents and excesses of exuberant fans, hence the decision to lodge them outside Ikenne.
Though it meant the team will have to face a drive of over 30 minutes on each match day, the club’s management felt the decision to stay outside Ikenne was justified, based on the need for total focus and full concentration.
That was until they found out that Doma United were lodged at the same hotel in Ogun State’s second largest city, following which an air of unease and uncertainty descended on Inter’s camp.
However, an assistant coach with the team, Seun Savage downplayed the situation, as he pointed out that football is about sportsmanship and cited that rival teams usually stay in the same hotel during the FIFA World Cup.
“It’s something we didn’t plan,” Savage told Sports247, “So, we just have to take it in good fate. It’s true that we are going to clash in our first match, but we must also adopt sportsmanship, on and off the pitch.”
