Clifford, Aondona, Baba and Olaniyan are up for the club’s award after a month of two wins and a draw, with the winner due before Saturday’s Matchday 12 game.
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Sporting Lagos have named a four-man shortlist for their October Player of the Month award. The club announced the nominees on its official X account on Tuesday, November 3.
The contenders are Victor Clifford, Jacob Aondona, Aliyu Baba and Gafar Olaniyan. All four played a big part in a month that saw the Tech Boys record two wins and a draw in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
That run mattered because Sporting Lagos had a mixed September. October gave them the stability they needed and helped them climb the table.
The Four Nominees
Clifford has been the engine in midfield. He dictates the tempo for the team, and he provided the assist for the winning goal against Plateau United.
Aondona has been the sharpest finisher of the four. He scored twice in October, including a crucial equaliser against Kano Pillars, and he also struck the 82nd-minute winner in the 3-2 victory at Plateau United on October 18. Fans who follow the NPFL’s goalscorers can check the Bet9ja promotion for NPFL fans before the weekend.
Baba has caused problems down the flank all month. Sporting Lagos say he created more chances than any other player in the squad in October.
Olaniyan is the defensive rock of the group, and he also chipped in at the other end of the pitch. His 22nd-minute goal on October 11 sealed a 2-1 win over Bendel Insurance after Victor Samuel and Kayode Oke had traded goals.
Voting And Context
Supporters can vote for their favourite through the club’s official X poll and its website. The winner will be announced before Sporting Lagos’ Matchday 12 game this weekend, and defender Sodiq Ayoade Yusuf won the September award after playing in every match. New Bet9ja users can look at the YOHAIG sign-up bonus while they wait for the result.
The month did not start quietly for the club. The NPFL fined head coach Jeffrey Buter ₦500,000 on October 7 over comments about the referee after the goalless draw with Ikorodu City on September 30, and Buter admitted he had erred.
The football then did the talking. The win over Plateau United lifted Sporting Lagos to third place on 15 points after Matchday 9, one point ahead of the hosts.
Sporting Lagos face Rivers United on Saturday, November 7, at 4pm. Anyone who likes to forecast NPFL results can play Bet9ja’s free Super9ja game alongside that fixture.
Whoever wins the award, the shortlist shows how deep the squad is. The Tech Boys have goals, creativity and defensive strength, and they will need all three against the league leaders.
📌 Did You Know?
- Kayode Oke equalised for Bendel Insurance in the 18th minute on October 11, four minutes after Victor Samuel opened the scoring, before Olaniyan scored the winner.
- Plateau United had won their previous four home games before losing 3-2 to Sporting Lagos, and they were down to 10 men for the last 10 minutes.
- Sodiq Ayoade Yusuf won the September award after appearing in every match.
- Sporting Lagos coach Jeffrey Buter admitted to the NPFL panel that he erred in his post-match interview.
- Sporting Lagos’ goalless draw with Ikorodu City on September 30 was a Lagos derby.
