Sporting Lagos emerged champions of the maiden version of the Naija Tremendous 8 after their 4-2 penalty shootout win over Remo Stars within the last on the Mobolaji Johnson Area in Lagos on Sunday.
With the stadium packed to its rafters, the followers had been handled to a second match between Sporting Lagos and Remo Stars, who had met within the group stage, with Sporting Lagos rising with the win in that conflict.
The match began with Remo Stars dominating the opening proceedings, and solely the woodwork prevented Isaac James from opening the scoring as he headed the ball goalwards following a cross into the field.
Clear-cut probabilities had been few and much between within the first half as either side performed cautiously to try to reduce out errors. Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Christian Nwoke was stored busy as he helped his facet keep within the recreation.
The beginning of the second half sparked life into the sport as Sporting Lagos opened the scoring after simply eight minutes. A cross into the field was met by the pinnacle of Jonathan Alukwu following an enormous leap, and his effort got here again off the woodwork however fell to centre-back Aliu Salawudeen, who promptly smashed the ball in from shut vary, sparking wild celebrations.
Remo Stars tried to search out an immediate equaliser, however Sikiru Alimi noticed his shot from the sting of the field go vast, as did Dayo Ojo.
Sporting Lagos continued to check the Sky Blue Stars, and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole needed to pull off a terrific save to disclaim Alukwu, who had arrowed a half-volley goalwards.
Remo Stars supervisor Daniel Ogunmodede turned to his bench, sending on ahead Adams Olamilekan instead of left-back Seun Ogunribide because the clock ticked on. The previous Flying Eagles star was an immediate menace as he confirmed good ft and nice mixture play.
With three minutes left of the 90, controversy struck within the recreation. Olamilekan fired dwelling following a cross from Sodiq Ismail, however the assistant referee dominated out the trouble for offside. On viewing the replay, it was clear that there was no offside within the build-up, however with a scarcity of VAR, the aim was chalked off.
Remo Stars continued to pile on the strain and had been ultimately rewarded as their opponents lastly cracked in added time. A cross-shot from Alimi was touched dwelling by Olamilekan as two substitutes mixed to ship the sport to a penalty shootout.
Sporting Lagos scored all 4 kicks of theirs whereas their goalkeeper Nwoke saved from Remo Stars captain Junior Nduka and Sodiq Ismail to crown his facet the Naija Tremendous 8 champions.
