NPFL:Sporting Lagos Return To Winning Ways, Pip Niger Tornadoes In Lagos

By Sedara Philip

A game of two halves ended in a win for the hosts, at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos, despite an effort by red hot Yahuza Bala who produced a superb second half display as he combined well with Bashir Usman to torment the opposition defenders.

Sporting Lagos got into the gear, as they dominated proceedings and were later rewarded with two clinical goals in the first half through Jonathan Alukwu 27th minute and Junior Lokosa just before the half time whistle.

Second half kick started and Tornadoes technical bench made three tactical changes all in a bid to get back into the game. Last weekend’s goal scorer Yahuza Bala came on alongside Clinton Jephta and Adewale Lasisi, the changes however proved effective as the Ikon Allah Boys instantly took over control of the game with a dominant display.

Midway through the half Tornadoes got a life line when Usman Bashir was left unmarked and picked out Yahuza Bala with a decent pass and the striker made no mistake in striking home to reduce the deficit in the 67th minute.

The goal proved quite the tonic Tornadoes needed for a potential come back as they continue to torment their hosts with forays into the area, all in search of much needed equalizer.

It was 74th minute on the clock and Tornadoes lunched an attack from the rear, as Yahuza Bala capitalized on a failed clearance by Sporting defender, he picked the ball, drived forward and beautifully chipped the ball into the net, for what could have been the lever, but alas, the linesman flag goes up for an offside and the referee succumbed by canceling what ought to have been a legitimate goal as Tornadoes technical bench and some fans watched in disbelieve.

Any further attempts from both teams to either increase the tally or levelled things up proved abortive as the game ended in favor of the hosts.