By Dorcas Francis Koji
Sporting Lagos head coach Jeffery Buter believes his side are ready to compete at the highest level as they prepare for their return to the Nigeria Premier Football League after two seasons in the lower division.
Buter’s confidence was boosted after Sporting Lagos defeated Remo Stars 2-1 to win the ValueJet Pre-Season Tournament in Ikenne on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Aliyu Baba and Sodiq Ayoade secured the victory for the Lagos-based club, while Taiwo Oyetunde scored Remo Stars’ only goal.
Sporting Lagos went through the tournament unbeaten, recording victories over Abia Warriors, Shooting Stars and Remo Stars, while also playing out a goalless draw against Rivers United.
For Buter, the tournament provided an important test against some of the country’s strongest sides and offered an encouraging indication of what Sporting Lagos can achieve in the new NPFL campaign.
“It was the test we were looking for. We just got promoted to the NPFL after two seasons away. Competing against the best teams in the country, three teams on the continent and a very good Remo team shows the level that we are at, and I think we can even get better,” Buter said.
The coach was particularly pleased with his players’ ability to respond to difficult situations and maintain their winning mentality.
“We are beginning to pick up the habit of winning in difficult places. The whole of last season, we won five away games, and we have won the championship on the grounds of the opponents,” he added.
Buter believes the experience will help his players develop the mentality required to survive and compete in the NPFL.
“For the boys, it’s a really good test for them to keep their mentality even after we conceded. It’s a league, it’s 38 games, we are going to compete, and I think the fans can dream this season.”
Sporting Lagos were relegated from the NPFL in 2024 after just one season in the top flight.
Buter took charge in 2025 and guided the club back to the elite division, securing promotion in May after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Osun United on the final day of the regular season.
The ValueJet Cup triumph has now provided the club with further momentum ahead of their return to Nigeria’s top-flight football.
Sporting Lagos will begin their NPFL campaign on August 30, when they travel to Gombe to face Doma United.
With the club determined to avoid a repeat of their previous top-flight experience, Buter will hope the confidence gained from their impressive pre-season run can translate into a successful NPFL campaign.
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