NPFL: Sporting Lagos search for first away win continues after 1-1 draw in Abia

Sporting Lagos travelled to Abia to take on Abia Warriors with both teams just one point apart and aiming to build on their separate weekend performances.

The spoils were shared at the Umahia Township Stadium in the clash between Abia Warriors and Sporting Lagos, with a goal apiece, Soccernet.ng reports.

Abia Warriors, winless in their last four games were desperate to get three points at home and were poised as Sporting’s highest goal scorer, Jonathan Alukwu missed yet another game.

With Alukwu out, Coach Paul Offor opted to change the entire frontline, with Naibe Akpesiri and Chisom Orji pairing in attack for the Noisy Lagosians.

Still without a win away from home since their promotion to the NPFL, Emmanuel Odafi’s pass sent Naibe through on goal, and he opened the scoring for the visitors, as they went hunting for all three points.

Before the end of the first half, Sporting were scrambling and barely hung on to their lead, but the antics of Christian Nwoke, yet again, kept them in the game as he made two diving saves to deny the home side.

Super Eagles striker, Junior Lokosa was introduced with twenty minutes left on the clock, as they hoped to extend their single-goal lead, with Chisom Orji making way for the 30-year-old.

Sporting retracted to defend for the final ten minutes, but couldn’t withstand the Abia Warriors pressure, as the host pulled back a goal through Nwabueze Paschal with six minutes left on the clock.

FT’| A point earned on the road

Abia Warriors🔴|1-1|Sporting Lagos 🟡#NPFL24 #SportingAway pic.twitter.com/5E2GbEVEWk

— Sporting Lagos (@SportingLagos) December 6, 2023

Probably a fair result given the performances of both teams, Abia Warriors and Sporting Lagos are now in 8th and 9th place respectively in the NPFL standings after twelve game weeks.