Sporting Lagos gain promotion to NPFL — one year after creation

Sporting Lagos FC have gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the 2023/24 season.

The club secured its promotion after a 2-0 victory over Abeokuta Stormers in their second game of the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Eight playoff.

Goals from Rivio Ayemwenre and Saturday Okon were the difference in the epoch-making encounter at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Monday.

Guys, we’re going up! 💙💛#LetsGoSporting pic.twitter.com/kQuKVKFdsT

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— Sporting Lagos (@SportingLagos) July 3, 2023

The team had won their first game of the playoff on Sunday, defeating One Rocket with a late goal by Emannuel Odafi.

The two victories take Sporting Lagos FC’s cumulation to six points as the club sits top of the playoff’s southern conference table with one game left. Heartland are second with four points while Abeokuta Stormers took the third spot with one point. Rocket FC remain at the bottom of the log.

Only the top two teams from the conference would gain promotion to the NPFL.

Sporting Lagos FC were founded by Shola Akinlade, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Paystack, in February 2022.

Earlier this year, he also purchased 55 percent ownership shares in Aarhus Fremad, a Danish third-tier division club.

The agreement saw Aarhus Fremad become a sister club to Sporting Lagos FC.

Meanwhile, in the northern conference, Kano Pillars are edging towards a quick return to the NPFL with a 2-0 win over DMD FC.

In the second game of the group, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) FC defeated Kastina United 2-1.