NAIJA Super 8: Semi-finals preview
The semi-finals of the 2023 Naija Super 8 tournament ongoing in Lagos State will take place today Friday July 14, 2023. SprotsRation presents a preview of the games.
LOBI STARS FC VS REMO STARS SPORTS CLUB
The first semi-final will pitch Nigeria Premier League clubs Lobi Stars FC Vs Remo Stars Sports Club by 2pm at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
To reach this stage, Lobi Stars FC edged City FC of Abuja at the playoff to take the North Central slot for the National finals. In Lagos, the Benue State Government owned club won two games and drew one to finish top of group B with seven points.
For Remo Stars Sports Club, a playoff win against Shooting Stars Sports Club at the playoff round handed them the South-west slot for the tournament proper. In group A at the National Finals, the Sky Blues finished in second place with four points.
The most recent meeting between Lobi Stars FC and Remo Stars on June 9, 2023 ended in a 0-2 victory for the Sky Blues at the Nigeria Premier Football League Super 8 playoffs at the same venue of todays match.
A lot has changed in the past month at both clubs, with Lobi Stars welcoming a new coach who is yet to taste defeat in this tournament while Remo Stars have a lost and welcomed several players to their squad.
PREDICTION: A thrilling game expected, with goals at both ends, we will say 1-1, winner to be decided on penalties.
AKWA UNITED FC VS SPORTING LAGOS FC
A game between the two wild cards of the 2023 Naija Super 8 tournament.
Akwa United FC and Sporting Lagos FC will go head to head in the second semi-final game of the Naija Super 8 tournament with kick-off billed for 4:30pm of Friday July 14.
A tricky fixture, considering it will be a first ever meeting between 2021 Nigerian champions Akwa United FC and newly promoted Nigeria Premier League boys, Sporting Lagos FC.
As already stated, both teams entered for this tournament as wild cards. Akwa United FC were drawn in group B and after a perfect start with victories over Yobe Desert Stars and Rivers United FC were the first to reach the last-4 before falling 0-2 to Lobi Stars FC in their last group game.
Sporting Lagos FC on their part, one of two unbeaten teams at this tournament [alongside Lobi Stars FC], started their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Nigerian Champions Enyimba FC. A 1-2 win over south-west rivals Remo Stars FC plus a 1-0 victory over Katsina United FC in the last group game ensured they finished top of group A with seven points.
Coach Paul Offor and his giant killers will enjoy the support of home fans at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos but their opposition Akwa United FC under new head coach Fatai Osho, will definitely be a tough nut to crack.
Akwa United FC Head Coach Fatai Osho will welcome back bulk of his starting XI after ringing changes for the loss to Lobi Stars FC. Youngster Wisdom Ndon who earned praise for a brilliant outing vs Rivers United FC, will hopefully get his fourth start of the tournament this time alongside former Enugu Rangers defender Chukwuebuka Anthony, after the latter was rested for the last group game.
PREDICTION: Sporting Lagos FC have been fantastic up to this point, but for a team that has played six very tough games in the last three weeks, we expect some tired legs against a more experienced Akwa United FC team. We say Akwa United FC 2-1 Sporting Lagos FC.
