Ekiti United Rue Narrow Loss to Sporting Lagos, Vow Stronger Response in NNL Campaign
Ekiti United have expressed disappointment following their 2–1 defeat to Sporting Lagos in their Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday Seven encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on Monday.
The side, coached by Bolarinwa Idris, put in a spirited performance but ultimately fell short against the Lagos-based club. Despite the result, Ekiti United believe their display deserved a better outcome, citing the level of effort and commitment shown by the players throughout the game.
In a statement released after the match, the club also took time to appreciate their supporters, both at the stadium and those who followed the game remotely.
“Not the result we deserved despite all the hard work put into the match, as we suffered a 2–1 defeat against Sporting Lagos,” the club stated.
“We extend our special appreciation to all our fans around the globe — those who travelled with us to Lagos and those who supported us via the streaming platforms.”
The defeat sees Ekiti United drop to fourth position on the Conference B table with 12 points after seven matches, slightly denting their push for a stronger league standing.
Opinion: A Loss That Shows Promise, Not Panic
While the scoreline may hurt, this is one of those defeats that speaks more of promise than failure. Ekiti United’s reaction — calm, appreciative, and focused — reflects a club that understands the long journey of the NNL season. Losing away to a side like Sporting Lagos is never easy, and the fact that Ekiti United felt they deserved more suggests they were competitive, brave, and tactically present.
More importantly, the bond between the team and its supporters continues to stand out. In a league where morale often determines momentum, Ekiti United’s acknowledgment of their fans sends a powerful message: this is a club building something together.
If they can turn performances into points in the coming fixtures, this setback may well be remembered as a minor stumble rather than a turning point. For Ekiti United, the season is still very much alive — and so is belief.
