No Victor, No Victor as Real Sapphire and Sporting Lagos Share Spoils

A stoppage goal came timely for Sporting Lagos as they snatched a point at Real Sapphire.

The Lagosians found themselves behind in the second minute as Ayodele Olawale opened the scoring for Real Sapphire. But Coach Caleb’s men shook off the dust, pressed for their equalizer, and drew level in the 8th minute.

There was nothing Demehimin Remilekun could do about Yusuf Abubakar’s bullet header, as the ball glided past him and another defender into the net.

The game would go quiet again until the 34th minute when the hosts raced into the lead again. Ibrahim Joshua was perfectly poised to pounce after the keeper failed to deal with a shot from outside the area. The striker’s goal was plenty enough to put the hosts in front going into the break.

For all of their efforts in the second, the visitors’ energy was well matched by the Real Sapphire defense. The hosts seemed on their way to yet another win. But the Lagosians had other ideas.

Unable to keep up with the sustained attacks by the visitors, the hosts caved in when it mattered the most, conceding a penalty with only seconds to go. Naziru Ishaq stepped up to the spot, and sending the keeper the wrong way, pulled Sporting Lagos level.

For Real Sapphire, the one point earned was enough to push them into top spot, thus dethroning Broad City.

MAN OF THE MATCH