NPFL: Sporting Lagos Claims Lagos Derby Bragging Rights

Sporting Lagos earned their first points of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, after a commanding 3-0 win over city rivals Inter Lagos in the Lagos Derby at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

The match was the first Lagos derby in 10 years, two months and 11 days, with Sporting Lagos taking the lead after just seven minutes through Sodiq Ayoade’s header.

Inter Lagos had a chance to equalise in the 21st minute when Kevwe Iyede won a penalty after being brought down by Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt. However, Uchenna Njoku’s spot-kick struck the outside of the post.

Sporting Lagos doubled their lead 14 minutes into the second half when Aliyu Baba finished after combining with Victor Samuel.

Valentine Ugwu completed the scoring in stoppage time as Sporting Lagos claimed the bragging rights in the first Lagos derby of the season.

Barau FC maintained the pressure on leaders Doma United with a 3-1 victory over Ranchers Bees.

Ahmadu Liman put Barau FC ahead in the 29th minute before Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu equalised for Ranchers Bees 10 minutes from time.

Barau FC then scored twice in stoppage time through Kennedy Energy Otunuya and Sugau Aliyu to move into second place with seven points, two behind Doma United.

Bendel Insurance defeated Kun Khalifat 4-2 in a six-goal thriller at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Alex Oweilayefa opened the scoring after five minutes before Suraju Lawal doubled the lead in the 19th minute. Chinedu Nwosu added a third just two minutes into the second half.

Kun Khalifat missed a penalty before Uchechukwu Onuoha converted their second spot-kick in the 68th minute.

Nwosu scored his second goal to restore Bendel Insurance’s three-goal advantage, while Oghenetega Ebetomame added a late consolation for Kun Khalifat.

Kwara United secured their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Katsina United.

Ali Ferinyaro’s cross-cum-shot was turned into his own net by Katsina United goalkeeper Francis Koroma in the 35th minute.

Tosin Olawale and Issa Adeshina Gata added goals in the 53rd and 64th minutes, respectively, to seal the win for the Harmony Boys.

The match between Niger Tornadoes and Plateau United was temporarily abandoned after heavy rain disrupted play with six minutes remaining.

Plateau United led through Jibrin Ibrahim’s first-half stoppage-time goal before Bashir Musa equalised in the 84th minute.

‎The remaining minutes was concluded on Monday morning. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.