Wildcards to champions: Sporting Lagos win the Naija Super 8

The Grand Final of the Naija Super 8 Pre-Season Tournament lived up to its pre-game hype and in breathtaking fashion.

He saw wildcard entrant Sporting Lagos beat last season's Nigeria Premier Football League runners-up Remo Stars of Ikenne in a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 after the full time, at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

How did it happen

FIRST HALF

The first 15 minutes of the South West Derby final saw an end to end encounter in which both teams attempted to grab the game by neck rubbing.

Saturday Okon linked up nicely with Jonathan Alukwu in the 11th minute, seeing his ferocious shot to the face of the deflected goal for a corner which the Sky Blue stars tamed.

It was the best effort of the first 20 minutes of the half.

Remo Stars dominate

Ikenne's boys picked up the tempo right after that but were lavish in front of goal.

The NPFL finalists continued to look for the opener in the next 20 minutes, but it didn't happen as Isaac James and Junior Nduka missed great chances.

Sporting Lagos also had their highlights as Odafi Emmanuel struck an audacious volley from outside the box that narrowly missed in the 24th minute.

The odds multiplied for the remainder of the half, but neither Remo Stars nor Sporting Lagos could convert their chances when the chance presented itself.

An entertaining first half in front of a packed crowd at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan finished scoreless.

Despite the best efforts of Ikenne's men, the owners of Lagos held on.

SECOND HALF

The action resumed in the second 45, the same way it ended, with Boniface Nwaeze rising high to connect a Seun Ogunribide delivery from a corner, but sending his header wide.< /p>

NPFL newcomers Sporting Lagos took the lead against the run of play just under 10 minutes into the half as Aliu Salawudeen fired a close-range shot in the 54th minute , after Nwokeji's free kick, met by a Jonathan Alukwu header, was parried in his way.

The goal sent fans into ecstasy, as the crowded MBJ Arena shook to its foundations.

Lagos had found a beloved new team, and it was time to induct them on the first try, as the fans had turned out in droves.

Galvanized after the breakthrough, Sporting Lagos insisted on more. Jonathan Alukwu forced Kayode Bankole into a great save with a volley on the hour mark, and the resulting corner was cleared.

A few substitutions were made in the following 10 minutes by both sides as Ayemwenre came off for Chisom Ngomere on Sporting's first substitution.

Sikiru Alimi replaced Franck Mawuena for Remo Stars a few minutes earlier while Seun Ogunribide also left for Adams Olamilekan.

Remo everything for a leveler

The Skyblue stars picked up the tempo for an elusive equalizer in the final 10 minutes of regulation time that paid off albeit for a short time.

After a long period of pressure from the side led by coach Daniel Ogunmodede, Adams Olamilekan, crossover replacement for Sodiq Ismail, fired home in the 87th minute, sending star fans into the crowd in seventh heaven.

However, the celebration was cut short because the flag was raised, albeit incorrectly. As the big-screen reruns show, Ola...