Sporting Lagos strengthened their position at the top of Conference B in the 2025/26 Nigeria National League (NNL) after an impressive 2–0 away victory over Godswill Akpabio FC in Calabar to start the New Year on a high note.
The win was highlighted by a goal from Akanji Seun, who found the back of the net to help the Lagos-based side maintain their lead in the league standings.
Sporting Lagos have been one of the standout teams in the division, topping Conference B as they push for promotion back to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after recent relegation.
The victory continues the club’s positive start to the season and keeps them well-placed as they target a strong second stanza of the campaign.
Editorial
In the nuanced theatre of the Nigeria National League, where momentum often eclipses mere formality, Sporting Lagos’ statement victory in Calabar punctuated by Akanji Seun’s decisive strike speaks to more than three well-earned points. It reveals a club reacquainting itself with conviction.
For Sporting Lagos, the campaign so far has been a delicate balance between expectation and execution. Having tasted the Premier League only to be cast back into the NNL’s unforgiving embrace, the Lagos outfit have responded not with hesitation but with measured, composed intent. Their ascent to the summit of Conference B underscores a culture taking shape where discipline, adaptability and belief converge.
Seun’s contribution, in particular, is emblematic of what the current Sporting Lagos side seeks precision when it matters and courage when it counts. Away victories in Nigeria’s lower leagues are never straightforward pitches, travel and local conditions test even the most prepared sides. Yet here, in the heat of a Calabar afternoon, Sporting Lagos found a rhythm that spoke of preparation and purpose.
But beyond the result lies a broader narrative one of resilience. Sporting Lagos have stitched together a campaign that so far combines tactical acuity with collective ambition. To lead at this stage is one thing to sustain it is another. The test ahead, as they look toward the second stanza and the heavier demands of promotion pressure, will be shaped by consistency and character.
For now, however, Calabar belongs to them and to Seun, who provided the spark. In the crucible of NNL competition, where every point feels weighted with consequence, Sporting Lagos’s performance was not just a victory but a declaration of intent.
Did You Know?
- Conference B Leaders Sporting Lagos currently lead Conference B of the NNL, positioned at the top of the table as they aim for promotion back to the NPFL.
- Recent Relegation The club were relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League at the end of the 2023–24 season and are now targeting an immediate return to the top flight.
- Top of the Table After Four Wins Early in the season Sporting Lagos posted a strong record of four wins, one draw and two defeats before the New Year restart.
- NNL Resumed Competitive Action After a festive break, the Nigeria National League returned with derby drama and intense fixtures across the Southern Conferences, setting the stage for promotion battles.
- Away Wins Rare in Lower Leagues In many Nigerian leagues, away victories are highly valued, as home advantage often plays a significant role — making Sporting Lagos’s Calabar win an important statement on the road.
