Registration problems cost Inter Lagos 3SC match – Coach

Inter Lagos coach Shakiru Giwa has blamed registration problems for his side’s 2-1 defeat to Shooting Stars in their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League game, while promising an improved performance in subsequent matches, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Giwa, who was appointed last year, guided Inter Lagos to promotion from the Nigeria National League and is now leading the club through its maiden NPFL campaign.

Inter Lagos showed flashes of quality in their historic top-flight debut at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Friday, but it was not enough to earn them a positive result as Shooting Stars secured a 2-1 victory.

Shooting Stars made a winning start to the new campaign, edging the newly promoted side in a first half that produced three goals and two penalties.

Lucky Emmanuel gave the hosts the lead in the 11th minute before captain Uchenna Njoku equalised midway through the first half, scoring Inter Lagos’ first-ever NPFL goal with a simple finish into an empty net after a fine run and pinpoint pass across the face of goal by Adigun Damilare.

However, the visitors’ joy was short-lived as they conceded a penalty on the stroke of half-time, with Sodiq Ibrahim converting to restore Shooting Stars’ lead.

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Giwa said registration issues forced him to make changes to his squad just two hours before kick-off, disrupting his plans for the game.

“These are young players coming from the NNL to the top division for the first time. They have not played at this level before, and we had some problems. Two hours before the game, I had to make changes because we could not complete our registration,” the coach said after the game.

“I don’t like to give excuses. It was not a bad game. We have learnt a lot and will take a lot of corrections. We will go back and work on certain things. I believe that in subsequent matches, we will get a lot of things right.”

Inter Lagos CEO, Lanre Vigo, was also pleased with the team’s performance despite the defeat, particularly their display in the first half.

“I am very proud of the boys. This is our first-ever NPFL game. I am sure we won over some new fans today, and there is a lot more to come from us,” Vigo said.

Inter Lagos will now turn their attention to their first home NPFL fixture against Doma United next weekend.