Sporting Lagos FC’s left-side-winger, Seun Akanji put up another dazzling performance and netted a magical opening goal that helped his side defeat Doma United of Gombe 3-0 at the Nigerian National League (NNL) Super-4 in Ikenne.
Sports247 reports that a second goal came for the Lagos-based side early in the second half, when Shola Oladunjoye pounced on a loose ball, off a shot from Victor Samuel in the 47th minute, to stabilise the game for the Lagosians.
Skipper of the side, Solomon Uloko, who gains inspiration for each match by reading the Holy Bible, also hit target twice in spectacular style within the last six minutes, to put icing on the sweet cake that Akanji earlier set in motion.
Akanji took a waltzing run down the left flank in the 27th minute of play, then opted to dribble past an opposing defender on the line and, instead of crossing, calmly picked a tight angle to score wirh a low sizzler at the near post.
It was a magical goal that ignited the scanty stands in Ikenne and, while many mouths were left agape in recognition of Akanji’s artistry, alnost everyone on the bench of Sporting Lagos ran forward to celebrate the wonderful effort.
The thrills did not end there, as both sides went toe-to-toe in relentless efforts from post-to-post all through the pulsating encounter at Remo Stars Stadium.
Despite the huge scoreline, it was a feisty encounter that lived up to its billing as ‘final before the final,’ as both sides won their opening matches 1-0, and Wednesday’s second fixture of MatchDay 2 was a decisive encounter for top spot on the table.
It was virtually fireworks under floodlights till late at night in the serene community that is most popular with memories of two illustrious sons of the land – Obafemi Awolowo and Tai Solarin.
However, the name on all lips this time was that of Norway-bound Akanji, who continued from where he started on Monday, when he emerged as man of the match in his side’s first victory over Ranchers Bees of Kaduna, who lost 2-0 to Inter Lagos in Wednesday’s first match.
Sporting Lagos should have been two-up earlier on 32 minutes, but Aliyu Baba failed to connect what initially appeared to have been a very easy chance to score.
The last 15 minutes were one-sided, as the boys of Coach Buter Jeffrey took total control of the game and their complete domination of play, with excellent passing, speedy runs and confident marking, which brought about the third and fourth goals through the Uloko, who kept maurading from his right-back position.
In the end, it was 4-0 in favour of Sporting Lagos, who will now enter their potentially explosive derby against Inter Lagos on Friday in buoyant mood, knowing that they need only a draw to emerge 2026 NNL Super-4 champions and pocket the winning prize of N10m at stake.
It will also be a chance to get bragging rights back in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), where they will still lock horns with all the other three teams of the ongoing Super-4 in Ikenne.
