NNL: It's time to be Smart, Sporting Lagos

Sporting Lagos go into the final game of the regular season in the Nigeria National League, NNL, with all to play for.

Sporting sit at the top of their group table but are yet to seal a place in the all-important Super 8 Playoffs.

12 months after the club was almost relegated from the NNL, Sporting has the chance to make history.

The Tech Boys, as I like to call them, will face Smart City in their final game of the first phase with a chance to make it into the playoffs.

A ticket to the Super 8 will see the Sporting Boys rake a giant step closer to the ultimate dream - securing a spot in the elite division - the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, next season.

Sporting currently sit at the top of the table but they are not alone, with two other teams breathing heavily down on them.

The Tech Boys are locked on 15 points with the duo of Ijebu United and Crown FC heading into the final game of the season and only one of them will qualify for the Super 8.

Sporting seems to have the easiest game on paper as they take on the bottom of the table side, Smart City.

While City are rooted at the foot of the table which could be seen as an easy ride for Sporting, this is the time that the Tech Boys must get Smart.

Their opponents are not just coming to play for pride but also fighting for their NNL status as they need a win to avoid dropping to the NLO.

Also, when these two met in the reverse fixture, it ended in a Sporting win and City will be looking for revenge and to be the ultimate party spoilers for the Tech side and their fans.

Now, for Sporting fans, two players have emerged this season as the club’s fan favourites.

Chukwuemeka Kalu: The impressive forward, who plays like Nigeria Super Eagles legend Kanu Nwankwo, is one player who can fire Sporting to glory.

Kalu has netted some Pukas-worthy goals this season and has the chance to further write his name in gold with another solid outing on Wednesday.

He has scored three goals this season and what better time and game to get a fourth or fifth?

Chisom Orji: The Sporting wing-back has easily been top of the pack in terms of performances in the NNL this season.

Orji’s impressive displays this season have caught the eyes on the left-hand side for the Tech Boys.

This is also underlined by his one goal, a contender for goal of the season, and two assists.