TEAM NEWS

Coach Jeff made no changes to the 11 that started last weekend’s victory at Solution FC. With Akwa United dropping points, a victory is all we needed to go top of the group. 

STARTING XI

GK: Ebenezar Harcourt

Defence: Solomon Uloko, Abraham Idakwo, Sodiq Yusuf, Hilary Zion

Midfield: Jacob Aondona, Victor Samuel, Abdulraheem Suleiman

Attack: Seun Akanji, Aliyu Baba, Shola Oladunjoye

Bench: Clinton Lawani, Abdullahi Abdulraqeeb, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Abdullahi Musa, Iweswem Oryiman, Abdulganiyu Ibrahim, John Lucky, Lasisi Alabi, Sanusi Maleek.

HARCOURT IN ACTON

The game got off to a good start for Sporting Lagos. We dominated possession and showed intent from the first minute. Ebenezar was called into action early in the first half when he had to react fast to make a claim from an opposition set-piece. 

CHANCES GO BEGGING

As the game progressed, our confidence grew, and we started opening up GAU. Shola Oladunjoye dribbled past two before laying off to Victor Samuel, whose shot on goal was remarkably saved by GAU’s goalkeeper. Victor Samuel saw another chance in the 25th minute after good link-up play between Aondona and Shola, but the goalkeeper smothered before he could shoot.

STALEMATE AT HALFTIME

We remained in control throughout the half, but we couldn’t translate our chances into goals. Ebenezar made great saves to keep us in the game, but we struggled to make it click at the other end. 

We went into the break, unable to get a goal despite multiple chances to do so, but you could sense the opener was coming. 

AONDONA MAGIC

In the 65th minute, we took the lead through a wonderful free kick from Jacob Aondona. Shola Oladunjoye again dribbled past multiple players before he was fouled on the edge of the box. Aondona slotted home the resulting free kick in wonderful fashion when he placed the ball between the legs of a GAU player in the wall —Messi Style — blindsiding the goalkeeper to give us the lead.

1-0.

RED CARD & CONTROVERSY

GAU were reduced to ten men in the 71st minute when their defender got a second yellow for stopping the ball with his hands. GAU players, led by their captain, subsequently decided to protest the call by walking off the pitch and halting play for a few minutes.

THE HEARTBREAK

GAU piled on pressure, taking advantage of the break in rhythm after the theatrics. They got an equaliser in the 78th minute after a cross into the box wasn’t cleared, and they made us pay. 

Coach Jeff responded to the equaliser by bringing on Lasisi Alabi to inject pace into our attack. The substitute came close to getting the winner minutes later, but his shot couldn’t get past the goalkeeper. 

We spent the final 15 minutes of the game creating chances, but between brilliant saves from the opposition goalkeeper and overcooked moves, we couldn’t make it click. 

The game ended in a stalemate.

1-1.

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

Shola Oladunjoye: The midfielder was involved in attacking action from start to finish, taking on players and creating chances. His audacious drive from the wing led to the free kick that gave us the goal. He also won the Man of the Match Award.

Jacob Aondona: The goalscorer was in good form as he dictated play and created multiple chances. His wonderful free kick gave us the lead in the game.

WHAT'S NEXT?

After the draw, we are now one point behind league leaders Akwa United. We travel to Ekiti next to face Ekiti United in a South-West derby.