Coach Paul: Sporting Lagos came to play football, to test ourselves against the big boys

Manager of Sporting Lagos Paul Offor has explained what his team came for at the just concluded Naija Super 8.

Sporting Lagos became the first team to lift the Naija Super 8 following a dramatic win through a penalty shootout against Remo Stars in the final on Sunday.

The game ended 1-1 in regulation time but Sporting went on to seal the deal 4-2 on penalties with goalkeeper Christian Nwoke the hero after he saved two spot kicks.

Following their win, Sporting Lagos, who came into the competition as one of two wildcards, exceeded expectations at the tournament.

The Lagos side finished the competition unbeaten despite facing NPFL giants like Enyimba, the Nigerian champions, Remo Stars (twice) and Akwa United.

Sporting won three matches in normal time and drew two others but according to a proud Offor, his team only came to the competition to test themselves against the big boys ahead of their journey in the NPFL.

“We wanted to come and play our football, to test ourselves,” the coach stated after the dramatic final.

“There was no pressure about winning, the most important thing is that we wanted to have a good preseason to see what our boys can do against the big boys.”

“And they did it, they showed us that they can live up to expectations and we are so proud of them,” he added.