NPFL: Sporting thrash Inter 3-0 in Lagos derby

Sporting Lagos claimed bragging rights in the first Lagos derby in the Nigeria Premier Football League since 2016 after they thrashed Inter Lagos 3-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports

Sodiq Ayoade, Aliyu Baba and Valentine Ogwu were on target as Sporting secured their first victory of the season in their second game of the campaign.

Ayoade opened the scoring in the seventh minute, heading home from a free-kick to give Sporting an early advantage in the away fixture.

Aliyu doubled the lead in the 59th minute after a fine exchange of passes created the opening for the midfielder to finish off a well-worked move.

Ogwu completed the rout in stoppage time, producing a sublime finish in the 92nd minute to seal a memorable derby victory for Sporting.

The result marked the return of the Lagos derby to the NPFL after a 10-year absence, with Sporting making the occasion count in emphatic fashion.

Elsewhere, Barau FC moved up to second in the standings after extending their unbeaten start with a 3-1 victory over Ranchers Bees.

Ahmadu Liman put Barau ahead in the 29th minute before Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu equalised for Ranchers Bees in the 80th minute.

Kennedy Otunuya restored Barau’s lead in the third minute of added time before Sugau Aliyu converted a penalty moments later to complete the victory.

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Barau now have two wins from their opening three matches and remain unbeaten.

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Bendel Insurance produced a six-goal thriller to beat Kun Khalifat 4-2.

Alex Oweilayefa and Suraju Lawal gave Insurance a 2-0 lead inside the opening 19 minutes before Chinedu Nwosu added a third two minutes into the second half.

Uchechukwu Onuoha pulled one back for Kun Khalifat from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, but Nwosu completed his brace three minutes later to restore Insurance’s three-goal advantage.

Oghenetega Ebetomame scored a second for the visitors in the 85th minute, but Insurance held on for the victory.

In Umuahia, Abia Warriors and Ikorodu City played out a 2-2 draw, with veteran striker Emeka Obioma rescuing a point for the hosts with his second goal of the game in the 83rd minute.

Obioma had earlier opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Ikorodu City responded with goals from Ilechukwu Junior and Akorede Adeoye in the 22nd and 31st minutes respectively.

The former league top scorer with former champions Enyimba completed his brace late in the game to earn Abia Warriors a point, although they are still searching for their first victory of the season.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Doma United remain top of the table after making it three wins from three matches.

Doma defeated former champions Enyimba 2-0 in Gombe on Saturday to move to nine points, maintaining their perfect start to life in the NPFL.