Gothia Cup: Sporting Lagos thrash Japanese club to be crowned champions
Sporting Lagos Academy made history by becoming the first Nigerian club to win the Gothia Cup, following a 4-0 thrashing of FC Tokyo in the B17E championship final.
The Lagos-based Academy quickly established their dominance in the final match, and their efforts paid off in the ninth minute of the final when Yusuf Abdullahi capitalized on a defensive error to slot the ball past the helpless FC Tokyo goalkeeper.
Ten minutes later, Babatunde Akomolede doubled their lead with a stunning strike from outside the box, sending the ball into the top corner and leaving the Japanese goalkeeper with no chance. Sporting Lagos went into halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead.
Sporting Lagos Academy continued their dominance in the second half, maintaining their offensive pressure and solid defensive play. In the 55th minute, Lucky John sealed the victory by following up on a rebound and tapping the ball into the net for the third goal.
The team wasn’t done yet, as they added another goal to their tally, securing a comprehensive 4-0 victory and claiming the B17E championship title.
Babatunde Akomolede, who was awarded the Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding performance, expressed his delight: “The team’s performance was excellent, just perfect. I don’t know how to describe the joy I am feeling right now. It’s just too much.”
On their way to lifting the championship, Sporting Lagos Academy also defeated fellow Nigerian outfit Beyond Limits, showcasing their superiority and determination throughout the tournament.
