Newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sides, Sporting Lagos and Katsina United held the reigning champions, Enyimba International FC and league runner-up, Remo Stars FC to draws in their Naija Super 8 group A encounters, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, on Sunday.

The first game between Remo Stars and Katsina United ended in a 1-1 draw. The close contest produced two first half goals, which proved decisive. Remo Stars took the lead through Fabian Iworie in the 21st minute. Katsina United responded with an equaliser five minutes later, after Somson Olasupo, beat the offside trap to tap home his own rebound shot.

The two teams canceled each other out in the second half, with chances few and far between. The Ikenne boys desperately pushed for the winner late in the game, but were denied by a resolute Katsina United defense. Fabian Nworie emerged Hero of The Match for his impressive display in the game,

Reacting to the result, Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, said his team played a side who had a point to prove. “Katsina United are no underdogs in this match. This is a team that just got promoted to the NPFL. They had a point to prove. They wanted to show that their promotion is not a fluke and they did the job well.”

The second game between Enyimba International and Sporting Lagos ended in goalless draw. The two sides went close to breaking the deadlock in the first half, but lacked the clinical ability to finish chances they created.

In the second half, after dominating for a large period of the game, Sporting Lagos were awarded a penalty, but Enyimba’s goalkeeper, Noble John, stepped up to the occasion and saved Zulkifiliu Rabiu weak attempt at a match winner. His heroic save earned him the Hero of The Match prize.

Reacting to the result, Sporting Lagos coach commended his players for securing a draw against the champions. “Enyimba is the best team in Nigeria, they are the current champions, I am happy with the performance of the players, unfortunately we could not convert our chances. I am impressed to see that we can come off promotion games to draw the champions of the Premier League.”

Nwoye, who took responsibility for assigning penalty duties to new recruit, Zulkifiliu Rabiu, said he has no regret for making the decision. “I don’t regret my decision, Rabiu is a goal scorer and big players all across the world miss penalties. So I have no regret,” he stated.

Even though the result dims Enyimba’s qualification chances, coach Finidi George remains upbeat about his team’s ability to make the semifinals. “I see us going all the way, we still have one more match to play and the group may still be decided on goal difference, it is not over yet. Unfortunately, we didn’t take our chances today. We always play to win, it is football, sometime you don’t win, but we will find a way to win our last game.”

Meanwhile, Flykite Productions, Naija Super 8 organisers, have announced free entry for fans into the regular sections of the Mobolaji Johnson Arena venue of the competition, for games slated for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

This was disclosed in a statement by Flykite Productions on Sunday. According to the statement, there will also be free buses at the National Stadium to convey fans to the match venue.

Matches scheduled for the free entry into the regular section are Yobe Desert Stars vs Lobi Stars at 2pm, Akwa United vs Rivers United at 4:30pm on Monday. On Tuesday, Sporting Lagos will face Remo Stars in a South-West derby at 2pm, while Katsina United will battle Enyimba International at 4:30pm. Lobi Stars will take on Akwa United on Wednesday, at 2pm, followed by Yobe Desert Stars vs Rivers United at 4:30pm

Naija Super 8 is organised by Flykite Productions in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsors, MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance.(Daily Sun)

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