Why Sporting Lagos are happy to sacrifice style in pursuit of points in the NPFL

Sporting Lagos manager Paul Offer explains the idea behind shelving philosophy to grind out results in the NPFL.

Sporting Lagos manager Paul Offor has explained the reasons his team took a pragmatic approach in their last match against Rivers United. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that the Tech Boys returned to winning ways after a narrow 1-0 victory against former champions Rivers United at Onikan, Lagos. 

Sporting Lagos become pragmatic

Clement was the hero for the Tech Boys after he netted the winner against the Pride of Rivers in a rescheduled NPFL match in midweek. 

Known for their possession style of play, Sporting resorted to long balls against the visitors while leading 1-0.

When asked about the change in style from his team, Offor explained it was about game management with three points at stake.

"We were ahead and two times they pegged us back. So, the pressure is normal, i don’t want to tell them to do what they are not comfortable doing yet," he said.

"The most important thing was that we were able to get the three points because if at the end you ask them to keep the ball and we concede, we are back to where we started from."

Offor felt adapting their method was vital to see out the win before reverting to their principles given the addition of new players during the break. 

"At that point the most important thing was the players to do what they were comfortable to do and we see out the game and review those situations and see what we can do better and how we can improve it - it’s a gradual process," he added.

The win ended Sporting’s run of seven matches without a win, but the Tech Boys remain in relegation zone despite the win. They are tied on 21 points with Akwa United and Niger Tornadoes, who sit 16th and 17th respectively.

 Offor and his Sporting side will return to the Onikan Stadium on Sunday when they face FA winners, Bendel Insurance, in the start of the second stanza. 

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