Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) on Sunday rolled out their drums to celebrate the qualification of three teams under their jurisdiction for the Nigerian National League (NNL) promotion play-offs.
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A 2-0 victory for Inter Lagos FC over Ijebu United of Ogun State confirmed their ticket to the NNL Super-8, alongside Ikorodu City from the same group, while Madiba United also made it through the other section.
Although two other Lagos teams, Trade Safe and 1472 FC, were relegated as last placed in both groups of the NNL southern zone, LSFA vice-chairman, Mr Dotun Coker enthused that having three teams in the promotion class doused what would have been disappointment in The Centre of Excellence.
The soft-spoken football zealot and administrator added that he was personally thrilled by the development, which he believes means at least one or two other LSFA outfits would join Sporting Lagos in the top-flight Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
“Corporately, as vice-chairman of the FA, we are very, very excited that we have three teams in the play-offs,” Coker eulogized.
“That shows that we have a guarantee of one team that will play in the NPFL next season, but we have to fight for the second slot as well.
“It’s a pleasure, and I’m so excited. I’m so excited.”
He then spoke about the role that will be played by LSFA towards ensuring that the three teams prepare well for the play-offs, while also serving a strong hint that Lagos State Sports Commission will be contacted to lend a helping hand.
Coker stated further: “We are going to meet with the teams to see their level of preparations. We have to offer them technical advice.
“Of course, we are going to push to see how the sports commission can come in to aid them with financial support as well.”
He concluded by parrying effects of the unfortunate story of 1472 FC and Trade Safe, choosing a bitter-sweet philosophical response to the development.
“It’s unfortunate that we have two teams going on relegation as well, but the consolation is that, at the NLO level, we are going to have two teams coming up to replace the relegated ones. So, we are on course,” Coker posited.
