Nigeria Professional Football League newcomers Sporting Lagos came from a goal down to pip Southwest rivals Remo Stars 2-1 in their second game of the ongoing Naija 8 tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Onikan on Tuesday.

The highly anticipated Southwest derby saw CAF Champions League-bound Remo take the lead in the 18th minute after Franck Mawuena headed home Isaac James flicked cross. The lead didn’t last long as Spotting Lagos grabbed the equalizer in the 27th minute through Saturday Okon as both sides headed into the half-time break level on 1-1.

The second half was as engaging as the first as both sides searched for the winning goal which will help place them in good standing for a semi-final berth but it was Sporting who got the breakthrough in the 89th minute from the penalty spot.

Chiemeka Nwokeji tapped the ball in from close range after Emeka Ofor’s penalty was saved by Remo’s Demola Bankole. Jonathan Alukwu had been fouled inside the 18-yard box after his impressive run.

The victory has moved Sporting closer to the semi-finals as they currently lead Group A with four points after one win (vs Remo) and a draw (vs Enyimba). Their final group game will be against Katsina United on Thursday.

Naija Super 8 is an off-season football competition conceived as an intervention to bring excitement back to the domestic game and engender fresh emotional investments by fans to propel the sport to higher heights in the country. Naija Super 8 will feature some of the biggest names on the domestic football landscape aiming for glory.