Paul Offor Leads Akwa United to Face Former Club Sporting Lagos
Head coach of Akwa United FC, Paul Offor will return to familiar ground when he leads his team out to face Sporting Lagos FC in a Nigeria National League (NNL) Conference B clash at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.
Offor, who guided Sporting Lagos to NPFL promotion in 2023, is now chasing the same goal with Akwa United. This will be his first game against the Lagos boys since he left the club in 2024. Both sides are former NPFL clubs fighting to return to the top flight, and the stakes are high as they meet at 3pm today, Wednesday, 10 December 2025.
The NNL Conference B table is extremely tight, with six teams currently tied on seven points. Sporting Lagos sit third, while Akwa United are fourth, making today’s match a direct contest between two promotion hopefuls who were widely tipped as early favourites for the group’s sole promotion ticket.
Akwa United arrived in Lagos on Monday evening, airlifted by their sponsor Ibom Air, and trained on Tuesday to get a feel of the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium turf ahead of the big game.
The Promise Keepers come into the match on the back of a dramatic 1–1 draw in the Ibom Derby, where Ndifreke Etim scored a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point against Godswill Akpabio United. Although Akwa United showed strong character in that match, Offor was disappointed they dropped points at home, saying his team created enough chances to win.
“We are still on course for our target, which is promotion,” Offor said after the derby per Purity Okon of Caretaker News Now. “We have put that match behind us and our full focus is on Sporting Lagos. We hope to go there, give our best, and recover the points we dropped at home.”
Today’s encounter promises to be fast and attacking, with both sides known for their ambition and quality. Sporting Lagos will look to defend home turf, while Offor aims to secure a statement victory against the club where he achieved one of his biggest coaching successes.
With the table tight and the season heating up, all eyes will be on Lagos as Akwa United seek valuable points in their push to return to the NPFL.
