Tag: Sporting Lagos

Sporting Lagos Football Club has made a groundbreaking move, securing a landmark partnership with renowned Premier League strategist Luke Dowling. This collaboration is set to redefine talent development and global pathways within Nigerian football.

Dowling brings with him a wealth of experience and a track record of decisive leadership in high-pressure roles, including key tenures as Sporting Director for top English clubs like West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, and Watford, along with strategic consulting for Leeds United. His proven ability to navigate the complex landscape of international football will be instrumental in elevating Sporting Lagos to new heights.

This strategic alliance is more than just a partnership; it’s a statement of intent. It signals Sporting Lagos’s commitment to building a world-class football ecosystem and connecting raw Nigerian talent with structured pathways to the global stage.

In this interview with  THE NATION’S MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN, Dowling explains why he was drawn to the ambitious Nigerian side, his plans to make Sporting Lagos the country’s go-to destination for top young players, and how the club is laying the foundation for its athletes to compete at the highest international levels.

You must be a highly sought-after football executive, judging by your resume, working with strings of clubs in the EPL. What’s the attraction for you to consider working with Sporting Lagos, who are currently not in the elite Nigerian Premier League?

It comes down to the ambition of the project. Shola Akinlade, the owner, reached out and laid out his vision, and frankly, it was compelling. He’s not just looking to run a football club; he wants to change the landscape of how a club operates in Nigeria. When you meet someone with that level of drive and a clear plan to reach those heights, it’s easy to get on board. I’m able to bring my experience here while maintaining my network and other professional commitments in Europe, so it works perfectly.

This is probably your first  big assignment working with  a club  in Nigeria  and Africa in general. What’s your  impression about Sporting Lagos, especially based on your interactions  with the owners of the club? 

For me, it’s the attention to detail. I’ve been here a week and I’m seeing things done properly standards you’d expect at a high level in Europe. There’s a genuine commitment to professionalizing the environment, not just on the pitch but behind the scenes. That kind of long-term planning is rare.

Given  your experiences over the years, how  prepared are you for this ‘challenging’  job especially given the peculiar  Nigerian football system?

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I am very ready to take on this challenge. It is my first time working on the continent, yes. But the fundamentals of football, spotting elite talent, setting professional standards, and building a winning culture, are universal. The context is different, of course, which is why I’m not doing this alone; I’m leaning heavily on the team here in Nigeria who understand the local nuances. I’m adapting quickly, but the goal remains the same: elite performance.

How would you explain  your vision and mission to the ordinary fans of Sporting Lagos ?

The mission is to make Sporting Lagos the go-to club in terms of talent in Nigeria.

Looking at the present  position of Sporting Lagos, what are your immediate as well as short and long term targets for the club?

Short term, we want Sporting to be the destination for the best talent in Nigeria. If you’re a top young player, this is where you should want to be. Long term, it’s about that global pathway. We’re building relationships to ensure Sporting Lagos is a trusted partner for European clubs, establishing a credible pipeline for our players to transition to the elite level.

Are you coming with a retinue of  assistants in your drive to turnaround Sporting Lagos?

No, the quality of the team here is very high, and I’ll be working with them all through my period of stay.

What is your general impression  about Nigerian  football and footballers  based on your long  attachments with clubs in the EPL?

 It’s the hunger. There is a resilience in Nigerian players that is very special. I worked with Odion Ighalo, for example, and his determination to succeed was incredible. I think because many players here have faced harsher conditions on their way up, they have a mental toughness that some lads in the UK, who come through very comfortable academy systems, simply don’t have. That grit allows them to thrive in any situation.

Sporting Lagos are through to the final of the 13th Gold Cup pre-season tournament after a close 1-0 victory over former champions, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and will face FC Ebedei on Saturday in the grand finale.

The star semi-final game was a true test of tactical maturity and attacking depth, as both teams fought hard to get the opening goal.

It was a goalless first 45 minutes, with no clear-cut chance at scoring, but the play was an entertaining one, as they kept fans spellbound.

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The second half was as entertaining as the first, but the tactical genius of Coach Jeffrey Buter was the tonic for Sporting Lagos.

The introduction of the duo of Shola Oladunjoye and Ibrahim Abdulganniyu in the 70^th  minute was the game-changer for Sporting Lagos, as they increased the intensity of the game with their high pressing.

No sooner had Shola Oladunjoiye come in, the first real chance for Sporting Lagos came. Abdulganniyu dazzled into the Lobi Stars box to set up an inviting assist for Oladunjoye to slice into the net for the only goal.

The win ensured Sporting Lagos their first final, and will now slug it out with Ebedei FC who eliminated Crown FC 4-2 on penalties after a goalless full time.

The stage is set for a blockbuster semi-final, as Sporting Lagos, Crown FC, Lobi Stars, and FC Ebedei have confidently secured their spots in the semi-finals of the 13^th edition of the Gold Cup.

In the final Group A and B fixtures held simultaneously at the FC Ebedei Stadium in Apele-Sagamu, Sunshine Stars and Ekiti United faced elimination, falling short despite their desperate need for a favourable outcome to continue in the tournament.

In Group A, GreenLock FC struck early, taking the lead in the seventh   minute with Aminu Abdullah’s impressive half-volley that left Abdulgani Ishola helpless in goal for FC Ebedei. However, Oliseh Boys rallied back, snatching a 2-1 victory with two expertly taken second-half penalties by tournament top scorer Kennedy John, who rightfully earned the Player of the Match award.

Sunshine Stars, who were in a prime position to qualify ahead of FC Ebedei, had their hopes dashed in a hard-fought match against Abakaliki FC.

They took the lead with a goal from Chuks Adoha in the 48^th  minute, but saw their advantage slip away just 11 minutes later when Jude Aleke struck a stunning free kick to equalize, sending both teams out of the tournament, as they respectively finished on  seven points and  four points respectively.

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Sporting Lagos and FC Ebedei progressed from Group A on  nine points each  but the former, an NNL team, tops the group on head-to-head, having defeated the Oliseh Boys 2-1..

In Group B, Lobi Stars dominated Seamoriow FC with a commanding 5-1 victory, finishing second on seven points and plus six  goals difference. The top-of-the-table clash between seven points Ekiti United and six points Crown FC proved to be an unmissable encounter.

A crucial substitution by Coach Deji Ayeni for Crown FC saw Fabode Olaitan beat his marker and delivered a decisive shot into the top left corner for the winning goal in the 84^th  minute.

Crown FC finished the group top with nine points, followed by Lobi Stars (seven points +6), Ekiti United (seven points +2).

With yesterday observed  as a rest day, anticipation builds as semi-final action is set to resume today, promising intense competition among the four qualifying teams.

The upcoming NPFL match between Sporting Lagos and Shooting Stars is set to be a high-stakes encounter with both teams having much to fight for.

Sporting Lagos, the league’s newcomers, are in the relegation zone and desperately need an away win to secure their place in the NPFL. On the other hand, Shooting Stars are eyeing a win in hopes that Enyimba falters, which could open up a chance for them to qualify for a continental ticket next season.

In a bid to turn up the volume on their fight against relegation, Sporting Lagos are firing up the fan bus! To add a sea of blue and yellow to the stands at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, the club’s organised transport will ferry supporters to the crucial match against Shooting Stars. The hype starts early, with the bus pulling out of the Onikan Police Station Parking Lot in Lagos at noon.

Meanwhile, Enugu Rangers will be crowned champions when they meet relegated Gombe United on Sunday at 3pm in a neutral ground in Jos. The match will be televised live on StarTimes Beta Sports Channel 244.

Despite staring down the relegation barrel, Sporting Lagos are refusing to go down without a fight. They’ve shown flickers of hope in recent games, finding the net in their last three outings resulting in a win, a draw, and a loss.

Their away form has been a concern, with no wins on the road this season, which they must overturn to avoid relegation.

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Shooting Stars are positioned for a continental ticket but need a win and hope that Enyimba will drop points at home.

They have been formidable at home, winning their last nine home games and not conceding in those matches.

Sporting Lagos are expected to shed their skin and strike like a cobra – all fangs out and on the attack in their desperate bid for three points.

Shooting Stars are likely to capitalise on their strong home form and will aim to keep a tight defence while exploiting Sporting Lagos’ vulnerabilities.

The match is predicted to be tense, with Shooting Stars favoured to win. However, the pressure of relegation may galvanise Sporting Lagos to put up a formidable fight.

Bayelsa Utd claim crucial win against Rivers Utd

Head coach of Sporting Lagos, Abdullahi Biffo,  is certain the  self-styled Noisy Lagosians will  stay  in the topflight beyond the current season. 

The Lagos-based side secured promotion to the elite division last season and they started life in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL)  like a house on fire before they started faltering.

They defeated Abia Warrior 4-2 on Sunday and moved up the ladder to the 11th spot with 41 points from 32 games.

“The task is not that too difficult because if you look at the log, our destiny is still in our hands,” Biffo told Journalists shortly after the tie. “We just need to win our home matches and forget about all these problems and maybe next season we can now strategies and plan better.”

Meanwhile, Bayelsa United secured an impressive home win against Rivers United in a rescheduled game played yesterday in Yenagoa to ease off relegation worries.

The game was suspended on Monday evening due to heavy rain and it was the host that was leading the game before the suspension.

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Ekeson Okorie had put Bayelsa United  ahead in the fourth minute before Kazie Ezinnayal equalised to level the game for the Pride of Rivers later on.

Muniru Abdulrahman netted the winning goal to hand Bayelsa United a well-deserved point.

It was a league win that lifted the Prosperity Boys to the 15th spot with 39 points from 32 games.

The NPFL season continues on May 26th with Matchday 33 after Rivers United had finished their outstanding games and some rounds of the President’s Cup have been played.

Former Head Coach of Sporting Lagos, Paul Offor has written an emotional message gratifying those he worked with at the club following his departure from the Noisy Lagosians on Wednesday. 

In a tweet on his official handle, Offor thanked all the players, management, and everyone who contributed to his 15 months stay at the club. 

He wrote: “After 15 months spent together, I thought long and hard on the best way to say goodbye to this amazing football club Sporting Lagos. It felt like home since the first time I arrived. I owe my gratitude to the players and staff who welcomed me right from the start.

“More specifically, I want to thank all the players who worked under me from the national league to NPFL. Together, we made magic!

“Special thanks to Mr Godwin Enakhena, Coach Paul Aigbogun, Ayobami Animasahun, Yemisi Cole, and Nneoma Ukandu for their support. To the Sporting Lagos media team led by David Odunlami, I love you guys.

“Together, we brought Premier League football back to Lagos. We made Lagos a fortress. Thank you for the constant 12th-man support. I am forever grateful. I love you.

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“Finally, to the amazing Sporting Lagos fans, thank you for rooting for me and the boys. Thank you for always speaking to us. Thank you for creating a special atmosphere for us to fight for the badge.

“Thank you to Shola Akinlade, Ekene Agu, and Fola Olatunji-David for the faith and trust you placed in me; owning an institution like Sporting Lagos brings a lot of responsibility but you constantly showed interest in the wellbeing of everyone in the club.

“I can’t mention all the amazing people in this amazing club but I specifically thank Mr Vincent Enakhena (kits and equipment manager), John Olowookere (masseur), Mr Sunday (Mobolaji Johnson Stadium), and Mr. Ola (Legacy Pitch) for their unconditional support.”

• Remo Stars hold  Gombe United

Lagos-based side Sporting Lagos have sacked  head coach Paul Offor and his technical crew  with  coach Abdullahi Biffo  being rumoured as a replacement.

Former Kwara United boss,  Biffo who just returned from his trip to the United States of America is expected to tinker the team with just eight games to the end of the season.

Offor who led the team to their maiden appearance in the topflight has endured a difficult time as the head coach of the club after the club’s form dipped towards the end of the first round.  But despite their improved performance in the second stanza, the club’s management still chose to ask him to leave the team.

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“Coach Paul brought top-flight football back to our city and gave us the first piece of silverware in our history,” the club announced on their social media X handle.

“Thank you for everything, Coach Paul. We wish you the very best in your future endeavours.”

Elsewhere, Remo Stars moved to fourth on the league table following their 1-1 draw away to Doma United in the rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 30 tie played in Gombe yesterday.

The Savannah Tigers scored first through Andrew Majalisa in the 45th minute but the Sky Blue Stars managed to even the scoreline in the 90^th  minute through Nduka Junior.

Remo Stars thus displaced Shooting Stars to the fourth spot with 50 points from 29 games. They are still with a game at hand over the top three teams

Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) side Sporting Lagos has sacked its coach Paul Offor over poor perf performance in the ongoing football season.

This was disclosed by a statement on their official X page. 

The statement reads: “ Sporting Lagos announces the departure of Head Coach Paul Offor. 

“Coach Paul brought top-flight football back to our city and gave us the first piece of silverware in our history. 

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“Thank you for everything, Coach Paul. We wish you the very best in your future endeavours.“ 

Coach Paul is expected to leave with his assistant coaches, Coach Micah Bello and Coach Edward Green. 

The team will hope to focus on remaining in the top flight with the final eight matches left in the season and get maximum points.