Salawudeen strikes late to secure Sporting Lagos a draw against Bayelsa United
Sporting Lagos FC central defender, Aliu Salawudeen, struck a last-minute equalizing goal to salvage a 1-1 draw at home against Bayelsa United.
The keenly contested match unfolded as Sporting Lagos sought redemption following a disappointing 2-0 loss to Enugu Rangers in the previous weekend.
Sporting Lagos, in their debut NPFL season, were out to end the year on a positive note, but the visiting Bayelsa United who arrived as the league bottom side were ready for a fight on Thursday, December 21, 2023 in the NPFL week 15 fixture.
Despite enduring a challenging season, marked by only four home wins, the Lagosians were determined to please their enthusiastic fans who gathered in good number as usual.
Former NPFL top-scorer, Junior Lokosa made a return to the starting lineup, while Jonathan Alukwu, recovering from an injury, found himself on the bench.
The match began with Sporting Lagos taking the initiative, eager to rectify their recent setbacks. Lokosa had an early chance to break the deadlock, but the Bayelsa United goalkeeper thwarted his attempt.
In the 23rd minute, Robert Mizo of Bayelsa United calmly slotted the ball past the Sporting Lagos goalkeeper, scoring his tenth goal of the season and giving the visitors the lead.
As the game progressed, Junior Lokosa made way for Aliu Salawudeen in the 60th minute, as Sporting Lagos intensified their efforts to avoid dropping further points.
The balance shifted when Bayelsa’s Kehinde Lawal received a red card in the 63rd minute, granting Sporting Lagos a numerical advantage.
Despite the away side’s resilient defense, former Nigeria U-20 star, Aliu Salawudeen’s stunning strike in the dying moments of the game leveled the scores.
With this draw, Sporting Lagos will hit the road for their final game of the year, facing Plateau United in Jos next week Thursday hoping to get a positive result from their in-form hosts who allowed a 0-1 lead slip to lose 2-1 vs Kwara United on Thursday evening in Ilorin.
