Former Nigeria Premier Football League campaigners, Sporting Lagos over the weekend emerged champions of the 2025 Gold Cup. The victory came after a 4-3 penalty shootout over FC Ebedei in the final on Saturday.
It is an extraordinary way for Sporting Lagos who were up 2-0 scoring in both halves but let the lead slip in the final quarter of the game, as FC Ebedei forced the game into the lotteries of spot kicks.
Sporting Lagos took the lead via an unfortunate own-goal by Joseph Okuaghaare in the 8th minute, after diverting the ball into his net.
Seven minutes later, Olanshile Lawal had the chance to square the game up, on one-on-one with Clinton Lawani in goal for Sporting Lagos, but the FC Ebedei striker was poor with his finish.
The half ended with Sporting Lagos taking the advantage into the dressing room, with the final 45 minutes a determining factor for both teams.
With just two minutes into the second half, Sporting Lagos found themselves ahead, with Lasisi Alabi scoring from a quick attacking break in the 47th minute.
One minute after the hour mark, FC Ebedei got the lifeline via a strike from Miracle Osakene.
The game proceeded to penalties, after the Oliseh Boys made it 2-2 in extra time from a goalmouth scramble.
It was soaked tense shootout, as despite the advantage, FC Ebedei’s Fanen Terkula fluffs the chance to seal it for his team, with a poor miss, leaving Sporting Lagos to take the evening, converting their last kick.
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