Sporting Lagos head coach Jeffery Buter has declared that his team's unbeaten campaign to win the ValueJet Pre-Season Cup in Ikenne demonstrates they are prepared for the challenges of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The Lagos-based club defeated reigning champions Remo Stars 2-1 in the final, with second-half goals from Aliyu Baba and Sodiq Ayoade securing the trophy. Taiwo Oyetunde scored Remo Stars' only goal of the match.
Unbeaten Run Through the Tournament
Sporting Lagos went through the entire ValueJet Cup without a single defeat, recording victories over Abia Warriors, Shooting Stars, and Remo Stars, while also playing out a goalless draw against Rivers United. The impressive run provided Buter with the kind of competitive test he wanted as Sporting Lagos prepare for their return to the top flight after two seasons away.
“It was the test we were looking for. We just got promoted to the NPFL after two seasons away,” Buter said. “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.”
Mentality and Winning Habits
Buter was particularly pleased with his players' mentality after being pegged back to 1-1 before defeating Remo Stars in the final. He described the victory as another indication that Sporting Lagos are developing the ability to win difficult matches. “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. For the boys, it's a really good test for them to keep their mentality even after we conceded,” the coach added.
Sporting Lagos, nicknamed the Noisy Lagosians, 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 after two seasons in the lower league. Their promotion was confirmed in May following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Osun United in Ilogbo on the final day of the regular season.
No Fear Ahead of 38-Game Campaign
With the ValueJet Cup now secured, Buter insists Sporting Lagos will approach their return to the NPFL without fear, despite the demands of competing across a 38-game league campaign. “It's a league, it's 38 games, we are going to compete, and I think the fans can dream this season,” he added.
The ValueJet Cup success has now given Sporting Lagos another boost as they prepare for their second appearance in the NPFL. The Tech boys will officially begin their new campaign on 30 August when they travel to Gombe to face Doma United. For Buter and his players, the challenge now is to ensure their impressive pre-season form translates into points when the real battle begins.
