Sporting Lagos chairman, Godwin Enakhena has made the bold claim that his side will be gunning for the title when the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season kicks off.
The Lagos-based side will be competing in the top flight for the first time after gaining promotion from the Nigeria National League last season. But the veteran sports journalist cum administrator believes everything is in place for them to win the league or at least qualify for the continent.
“We want to win the league,” Godwin says in a bullish fashion while speaking to Felix Egbomuche on Sports Vibes on Lasgidi FM. “We want to play in the CAF Champions League, that’s our target for the season.”
An improved squad to help the charge?
Sporting have already made moves to try and fortify their team from last season by adding some experienced heads. 2018 NPFL top scorer Junior Lokosa has joined the team after his contract with Remo Stars elapsed. He will be expected to add more firepower to an attack that already has Saturday Okon and Jonathan Alukwu.
Former Ikorodu City forward, Godwin Odibo has been signed too, alongside Nnamdi Henry, Akpesiri Naibe, and Godwin Udoh to boost a squad that added Ekene Olisema, Isaac Annor, Chisom Ngomere, and Jonathan Alukwu before the NNL playoffs.
While they are decent in attack and midfield, defense is where they look light. Patrick Egeonu, Ekene Olisema, and Aliu Salawudeen are solid centre-backs but that’s it for that position. And it’s the same situation in full-back areas where they have just Abiodun Balogun, Emeka Nwokeji, and Isaac Annor as the established names.
Winning the league in their first season isn’t impossible but that might just be a stretch for Paul Offor’s side, although, they can take inspiration from Remo Stars who have qualified for both the CAF Confederations Cup and Champions League in back-to-back seasons since regaining promotion in 2021.
A new home in sight?
There have also been talks about Sporting Lagos moving away from the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, but Godwin confirmed that his team will start the season at the venue where they won the inaugural Naija Super 8.
“Our Stadium is over 80% complete at Landmark but in the meantime, we will play the first half of this season at Onikan.”
The NPFL board are yet to decide a new date for the start of the season after the indefinite postponement last week but Sporting are currently in camp and have been playing friendlies as they continue to prepare. They begin their campaign at home against Gombe United.
