Nigerian Club Owned by African Fintech Mogul Edges Closer to NPFL Debut A Year After Being Founded

• Sporting Lagos will trade tackles with Smart City in their final league game of the abridged NNL season
• Victory over their visitors will take the club to the playoffs of the Nigeria Professional Football League
• This comes one year after the club was established by fintech guru Shola Akinade, founder of Paystack

In what could be described as the biggest game of the 2022/2023 Nigeria National League season, Sporting Lagos will host Smart City this Saturday, May 27.

The encounter is slated for the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Lagos Island as the host continue their chase for a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) ticket.

Founded in 2022, Sporting Lagos - owned by PayStack founder, Shola Akinade - could be featuring in the Nigerian top flight next season, CNN reports.

But first, the outfit must defeat fellow Lagos team, Smart City in a bid to edge out Ijebu United and Crown FC to the NPFL playoffs.

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Football

Back in March, Sporting Lagos defeated Smart City 2-1, with the visitors aiming for revenge.

After nine matches each in the abridged season, Akinade's team top Group B standings with 15 points, on goals difference ahead of Ijebu United and Crown FC, who also have 15 points.

Sporting Lagos take on Smart City on Saturday and victory will take the club to the playoffs, where they will have a chance of qualifying for the NPFL.

Enyimba wins Abia FA Cup

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George led Enyimba to victory in the final of the 2023 Abia State FA Cup, beating Ahudiya 4-1.

En route to the final, Ahudiya defeated Abia Warriors in the semi-final, with fans expecting another major upset against Enyimba.

However, even though they are a non-league side, Finidi lined up his first team players and this paid off with four goals and the win.

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Football

Super Eagles returning to NPFL

Sports Brief also reported on the Super Eagles superstars who returned to the country to feature in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Although the target destination for footballers from the country is often abroad, some have decided to return home to play in the local league.

Many players started their respective careers in the NPFL before moving abroad, but it is courageous to leave a club abroad to return to local teams.