Lagos, the city of firsts, has done it again!
From being the first to embrace innovation and technology to pioneering breakthroughs in entertainment, business, and sports, Lagos has consistently set the pace for the rest of Nigeria.
And now, the city has added another feather to its cap, as Sporting Lagos makes history by becoming the first Nigerian team to win the prestigious Gothia Puma Trophy in Sweden.
On Saturday, July 20, Sporting Lagos made history by emerging victorious in the Gothia Cup, held in Sweden.
Emphatic Victory
Their impressive 4-0 win over FC Tokyo in the B17E category sealed their place in the annals of history.
The Gothia Cup is more than just a football tournament – it’s a celebration of cultures and passion for the beautiful game.
The tournament brings together people from all over the world, united by their love of football.
In the vibrant city of Gothenburg, Sporting Lagos wrote their own chapter in the history books.
On a thrilling final match day, in front of a packed crowd of over 9,000 spectators at Gamla Ullevi, Sporting Lagos faced off against FC Tokyo.
The Nigerian team dominated the match from the outset, with Yusuf Abdullahi scoring the opening goal in the ninth minute.
Babatunde Akomolede, nicknamed the Nigerian Roy Delap due to his impressive long throws, doubled the lead with a stunning rocket from outside the penalty area.
This set the tone for a convincing win. The second half saw Sporting Lagos continue to dazzle in attack and impress in defense, with Lucky John sealing the deal in the 55th minute.
The final score read 4-0, a testament to the team’s excellence.
Babatunde Akomolede, the MVP of the tournament, was overwhelmed with emotion, stating, “I don’t know how to describe the joy I’m feeling right now. It’s just too much.”
The 17-year-old MVP remarkably provided four assists from long throws and scored a goal.
With this historic win, Sporting Lagos has proven that Nigerian football remains a force to be reckoned with.
They have made their mark on the world stage, and their legacy will inspire generations to come.
The Origins of Sporting Lagos
Founded by tech entrepreneur Shola Akinlade in 2022, Sporting Lagos was established to serve as a platform for communal development and social change in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
From the outset, the club has placed its fans at the center of its ambition to build a multigenerational football club.
This decision has been rewarded with an unprecedented level of loyalty and camaraderie among its followers in contemporary Nigerian football.
“We are building a legacy,” David Odunlami, the head of brand storytelling at Sporting Lagos, tells OkayAfrica. “Sporting Lagos is for Lagos and Nigeria. We serve the people, everybody interested in football. Men, women, old, young. I always see it from the point of what we are trying to achieve, and what we are trying to achieve is a multi-generational club as we always say. A club that’ll outlive us.”
