NPFL: Clement Naantaum kicks-off Sporting Lagos festive celebrations after defeating Katsina United

Sporting Lagos gained promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League just over a year after they were founded in 2022, writing a fairytale story.

A Clement Naantaum goal was enough to return Sporting Lagos to winning ways at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, as they were winless in their last three games, Soccernet.ng reports.

The noisy Lagosians last tasted a win in their home game against Kano Pillars, defeating them 3-0 in the first week of November. Since then, the Lagosians have only gotten a point from their last three games.

Sporting’s top scorer, Jonathan Alukwu missed the team’s trip to Ondo State due to personal issues, as the team lost to Sunshine Stars by a lone goal. The striker missed today’s game as well.

Super Eagles striker, Junior Lokosa was partnered up-front alongside Naibe Akpesiri, as Coach Paul’s side aimed to bring their poor run of form to an end.

The home side started the game on the front, as Emmanuel Odafi dazzled through the Katsina United defence, and shot at goal, but the Katsina goalkeeper came up trumps.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Naantaum broke the deadlock. The winger showed quick feet and danced past the opposition defenders before slotting the ball home for the opener.

The goalscorer had to be replaced twenty-five minutes into the game by Saturday Okon after he picked up an injury in a clash with a defender.

The home side went into the half-time break a goal up and continued the second half on the front foot as they pressed on to score more goals, but it just wouldn’t happen, as Katsina’s defence stood still.

Starting December off with three points 🤩

FT’| Sporting Lagos🔵|1-0|Katsina United 🟡#LetsGoSporting #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/lL3DKgWUxm

— Sporting Lagos (@SportingLagos) December 3, 2023

Sporting’s win today sees them move into the top ten of the NPFL table, with fifteen points in the bag, seven behind league leaders, Remo Stars.