Sporting Lagos: A Rising Football Power in the Heart of Lagos
Sporting Lagos has emerged as a beacon of hope and excitement in Nigerian football. In a country known for its diversity and differences, football has always held a special place as a unifying force. At the heart of this football-loving nation lies the vibrant and bustling city that never sleeps — Lagos. Sporting Lagos, with its fresh energy and progressive approach, has injected new life into professional football in Nigeria, rekindling the passion that fans have longed for in recent years. This article delves into the journey of this dynamic football club, exploring its history, impact on the local community, and its promising future in the beautiful city of Lagos.
The Visionary Tech CEO and International Expansion: Sporting Lagos kicked off its journey with a bang, playing her inaugural official match in February 2022. Since that memorable day, the club has been making waves in the Nigerian football scene, capturing the hearts of fans and reinvigorating the spirit of the sport in Lagos. Behind this football renaissance is none other than Shola Akinlade, the visionary CEO of Paystack, a tech-savvy entrepreneur who has masterfully set up brilliant structures behind the scenes to propel Sporting Lagos to greatness. Akinlade’s unique blend of sports and tech brilliance has been the driving force behind the club’s rapid rise.
Expanding Horizons - Aarhus Fremad Partnership: In March 2023, Akinlade took an even bolder step in expanding his sports business empire by acquiring a 55% stake in the Danish 2nd division football club, Aarhus Fremad. This strategic move aims to further enhance the professionalization of Sporting Lagos F.C. While Sporting Lagos F.C. benefits from Aarhus Fremad’s experience and resources, the Danish club sees Sporting Lagos F.C. as a talent academy, cementing a mutually beneficial partnership that promises to shape the future of football not only in Lagos but on an international scale. And with the Danish club already reaping the rewards after signing a highly-rated defender in Segun Olalere via the partnership.
Quest for Promotion - Rising from the Abyss: The club embarked on an ambitious journey, coached initially by Uche Okagbue and later by Sanjo Olutayo, with the immediate footballing goal of securing promotion from Nigeria’s second division, the Nigerian National League (NNL), to the prestigious Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) in less than a year. However, that plan was elusive. In their debut season, Sporting Lagos faced the daunting prospect of relegation. The club narrowly escaped this fate by virtue of goal difference, enduring a turbulent period that saw three different coaches taking charge. During this tumultuous journey, the club worked tirelessly to forge a distinct style of play, this dramatic narrative crescendoed on the last day of the regular season, culminating in playoffs held in Asaba. In a story that could rival cinematic plots and twists, Sporting Lagos achieved the ultimate triumph, clinching promotion to the NPFL and marking an extraordinary turnaround in their fortunes.
Building a Community - The Birth of The Happy Corner: The club quickly endeared itself in the heart of Nigerian youths by building a passionate community, Sporting Lagos gave birth to its inaugural fan club, affectionately named “The Happy Corner.” This fan club sprang to life, driven by the sheer enthusiasm of supporters, and blossomed with a partnership with “Home of The Sports Lounge,” commonly referred to as TSL. The synergy between the Happy Corner and TSL created a space where fans could congregate, sharing their unwavering devotion to the club and fostering a profound sense of belonging. The official affiliation between Sporting Lagos and TSL served as the cornerstone of this burgeoning community, forging a formidable partnership that harmonizes fans, players, and the wider community in their collective adoration for the beautiful game.
Youth Development and Leadership Transition: In 2023, Sporting Lagos achieved significant milestones that further solidified its place in Nigerian football. The establishment of the Youth Academy provided former head coach Sanjo Olutayo with the opportunity to excel in his speciality of nurturing young talent, exemplifying the club’s commitment to player development. However, Sanjo Olutayo was swiftly replaced by Shola Adegun, a UEFA C Licensed coach. Coach Shola began his coaching career in 2014 as an assistant coach at Clique Sports Academy. He later worked as a youth coach at Barça Academy, Lagos, and as an assistant technical director at AS Roma Academy, Abuja. He now leads Sporting Lagos, joining from Mees Palace Football Academy, where he served as a technical director. Sporting Lagos Football Academy made their debut in the 2023/24 The Creative Championship (TCC) against Dannaz FC on October 7th. Head coach Shola Adegun expressed his excitement and acknowledged the competitive spirit this league would bring for the boys, emphasizing individual player development as a key goal for the season. Odinaka Okoro, known for his competitiveness and commitment to personal growth, has been named as the team’s captain.
Jersey Sponsorship and Historic Home Ground: One of the pivotal moments in Sporting Lagos’ journey was the securing of their first-ever headline sponsor, the cross-border payments solution company, Klasha. This collaboration marked a historic achievement for the club, as Klasha became its very first headline sponsor. As a result, the club proudly displayed “Klasha” on its first-ever home and away jerseys, which were created by the renowned kit makers Umbro and unveiled at the beginning of the NNL abridged season. Another significant feat in the rapid rise of the club is the privilege of calling the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Stadium, also known as Onikan Stadium, its home. This historic stadium, originally built in 1930 and initially named after King George V, is the oldest in Nigeria. The fact that a relatively new club like Sporting Lagos can boast such an iconic stadium as its home is undoubtedly an impressive feat, underscoring the club’s rapid rise and deepening roots in Lagos’ rich sporting heritage.
Tactical Brilliance and Player Spotlight: Former Warri Wolves Assistant Coach, Paul Offor took the reins of the first team as head coach, showcasing the club’s visionary approach to leadership transitions. Under Coach Paul Offor’s tactical guidance, Sporting Lagos adopted a dynamic style of football, characterized by gegenpressing and possession-based play. He has made it no secret that he is a follower of the Great Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola, and Jurgen Klopp as the big influencers to his style. This approach saw the team dominate their group during the season, clinching an impressive record of five wins, three draws, and only two losses in the NNL campaign. During this period, they netted an impressive 16 goals. This exceptional form led them to finish at the top of their group, securing a spot in the promotion playoffs. Notably, it wasn’t just the team’s success that garnered attention; individual players made names for themselves with stellar performances, becoming fan favourites for various reasons. Kalu Chukwuemeka, Jonathan Alukwu aka Pink Barbie, and Chisom Orji left spectators awestruck with their beautiful goals. Patrick Egeonu and Emeka Nwokeji stood as pillars in defence, while Christian Nwoke exhibited exceptional goalkeeping skills, making game-preserving saves and displaying composure when playing out from the back. In the midfield, the duo of Emmanuel Odafi and Henry Ndedi orchestrated the game with finesse, further solidifying Sporting Lagos’ reputation as a team to watch in Nigerian football.
Promotion to the NPFL and Naija Super 8 Victory: Winning the first two games of the playoffs against F.C. One Rocket and Abeokuta Stormers meant automatic promotion to the NPFL just eighteen months after conception. It also meant Sporting Lagos was the only Lagos team to feature in the NPFL for the next season and the first Lagos team in the NPFL in two years. The team also went on to win the 2023 Naija Super 8 trophy against all the odds, gaining a tag as the “giant killers” as they won Remo Stars on penalties.
A Bright Kickoff in the NPFL: After a semi-squad overhaul aimed at blending youthful exuberance with seasoned experience and recruiting quality players from across the country to prepare the team for the task ahead in the NPFL, the season kicked off with a resounding 2–0 win against Gombe United followed up with a goalless draw against Akwa United at their illustrious stadium, The Nest of Champions. This leaves Sporting Lagos sitting third in the league. Exciting times ahead, no doubt.
The Promise of Tomorrow: In just a short period, Sporting Lagos has risen from its humble beginnings in 2022 to become a formidable force in Nigerian football. With a remarkable journey from the Nigeria National League to the Nigeria Professional Football League, Sporting Lagos has proven its mettle on the pitch and established itself as a symbol of hope and progress in the world of Nigerian football. As they continue to evolve and embrace new challenges, the future looks bright for this exciting club, promising thrilling matches, captivating talent, and a united football community in Lagos that will forever cheer for Sporting Lagos. The rise of this club serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Lagos and its enduring love for the beautiful game. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the exciting chapters yet to be written in the captivating story of Sporting Lagos. THIS IS SPORTING, THIS IS LAGOS!!!
