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Olasunkanmi Oduntan, LAGOS –
In a riveting encounter at Onikan Stadium on Thursday, December 21, 2023, Sporting Lagos faced off against Bayelsa United, delivering a spectacle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The first-half action heated up when Bayelsa United’s Robert Christian Mizo netted an impressive goal in the 23rd minute, skillfully assisted by Mustapha Jawad. The early lead set the stage for a fiercely contested match.
However, the plot thickened in the 63rd minute when Bayelsa United’s Kehinde Lawal received a red card and was subsequently sent off, leaving his team with ten men on the field.
With a numerical advantage, Sporting Lagos seized the opportunity, and in the 94th minute, substitute Aliu Salawudeen emerged as the hero. Introduced to the game in the 60th minute, Salawudeen’s late equalizer sent waves of excitement through the crowd, salvaging a point for Sporting Lagos.
As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard reflected a 1-1 draw, showcasing the resilience and determination of both teams.
In the broader context of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), the draw leaves Sporting Lagos clinging to 14th place in the NPFL table with 17 points from 14 games. Bayelsa United remains in the relegation zone, occupying 19th place with 14 points from 15 games..
The thrilling encounter at Onikan Stadium not only showcased the talents of the players but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of football, leaving fans eagerly anticipating future clashes in the NPFL.