Paul Offor upbeat about Sporting Lagos promotion bid in NNL Super 8

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head coach of Sporting Lagos, Paul Offor expects his side to fight for a promotion ticket into the top-flight Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) when the 2023 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 get underway at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Sunday.

The Lagos-based side surprisingly qualified for the 2023 NNL Super 8 against all odds, finishing top of Group B2 ahead of Ijebu United, Crown FC, Gateway United, Smart City, and Joy Cometh.

“I consider all the eight teams here in the NPFL. Foit will remain in the NNL. We have to fight hard if we want to be in the NPFL to ensure that we conquer and emerge as one of the two teams that will make it from our zone,” Offor told NNLTV.

“We worked very hard during the season and didn’t have much time to prepare because I joined the team in January. The management were very supportive because there are players on ground before I joined. They were also very supportive in terms of the recruitment of players I want which made us play the way we want to play.

“In recruiting players, it is important to put into consideration the attributes you are looking for technically and physically. The Chairman also gave me the free hand to operate which gave us the opportunity to qualify for the Super 8.

“This season is one of the best we have seen in the league in terms of officiating and organisation and it was a brilliant idea to operate a zonal league. It gave the teams the opportunity not to travel to far distances which is good for the players.”

Only four of the eight teams at the NNL Super 8 will gain promotion to the NPFL at the end of the season-ending tournament in Asaba.