2023 Naija Super 8 final: Remo Stars vs Sporting Lagos Preview

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The champions of the maiden Naija Super 8 will be crowned at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, with two private clubs set to set the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on fire, Remo Stars and Sporting Lagos squaring up on Sunday.

Basking in the euphoria of its first qualification to the CAF Champions League after its second-place finish at the end of the 2023 NPFL Super Six, the Sky Blue Stars started its Naija Super 8 campaign with a 3-0 win over Shooting Stars in South West Zonal Playoffs before being drawn alongside Katsina United, Enyimba, and wildcard Sporting Lagos in Group A.

A 2-1 win against NPFL champions, Enyimba was followed by a 1-1 draw with Katsina United before a 2-1 loss to Sporting Lagos, the last time both finalists met.

Goals from Dela Akoru and Nduka Junior in the semi-final lifted Daniel Ogunmodede’s side to the final, setting up a final date with Sporting Lagos.

The Ikenne-based side enjoyed a good run of form with a 17-match unbeaten run in the NPFL and Naija Super 8 combined before a 2-1 loss to Sporting Lagos.

Newly promoted NPFL side, Sporting Lagos earned a wildcard place in Group A of the maiden Naija Super 8.

The Lagos-based outfit played out a 0-0 draw with Enyimba and pipped Remo Stars 2-1 before booking a place in the semi-final with a 1-0 win against Katsina United.

A 2-1 win against fellow wildcard team Akwa United sealed a place in the final. Cyril Olisema’s 42nd-minute goal from the spot was canceled out by Saturday Okon’s 55th-minute strike – before Jonathan Alukwu secured victory for the newly promoted NPFL team in the 70th minute.

Sporting Lagos topped Group B2 in the second tier Nigeria National League (NNL) which qualified it for the Super 8 where it sealed a place in the NPFL.

Sporting won two of its three group games against FC ONE Rocket and Abeokuta Stormers before a 2-1 loss to Heartland FC in the last group game. The final match will serve as a curtain raiser ahead of an intended two-legged affair in the NPFL come the 2023/2024 season.