NPFL: Sporting Lagos drop three points against Mikel Obi’s former club

Sporting Lagos last won a game at the start of December when they welcomed Kano Pillars to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos State.

Sporting Lagos ended the year with a loss to Mikel Obi’s former club, Plateau United at the New Jos Stadium, as a lone goal from Albert Hilary helped the host secure all three points, Soccernet.ng reports.

2023 has been a year of highs and lows for the Noisy Lagosians. Under Coach Paul Offor, they gained promotion from the NNL to the Nigerian top-flight League, and won the maiden edition of the Naija Super 8 tournament, defeating Remo Stars.

However, their journey at the highest level of Nigerian football hasn’t been a smooth one, as they’ve won just four games out of fifteen in the NPFL.

Hoping to end the year on a high, Sporting travelled to Plateau state, desperate for their first-ever away win in the league. Jonathan Alukwu was reinstated into the starting eleven, as Junior Lokosa was dropped to the bench after a poor run of form.

The first meaningful chance of the game came just after the twenty-minute mark. A long-range shot from the opposition on Sporting’s goal, but Christian Nwoke was equal to it.

Chisom Orji and Emmanuel Odibo were denied twice by the woodwork as Coach Offor’s men came close to breaking the deadlock twice before the end of the first half.

The second half saw fewer goal attempts, but Albert Hilary, who had scored five goals in his last three games came close for the hosts.

Hilary scored his sixth goal in four games with thirteen minutes on the clock. The Sporting defence switched off and the striker capitalized, sweeping in a thunderbolt to score the only goal of the game.

Full time in Jos.

Plateau UTD🔰|1-0| Sporting Lagos 🟡#NPFL24 #SportingAway pic.twitter.com/Zy4UoIP5eZ

— Sporting Lagos (@SportingLagos) December 28, 2023

Sporting Lagos have now lost six games in the NPFL, and are just a point above the relegation spots. The noisy Lagosians have scored thirteen goals and conceded thirteen in fifteen games.