One defeat can’t define our season – Sporting Lagos coach

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Sporting Lagos coach Jeffery Buter remains confident his side will improve despite their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Abia Warriors on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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Sporting went into the game on the back of a 3-0 win over Inter Lagos at the Onikan Stadium on matchday three but failed to build on that result as they suffered their first home defeat of the campaign.

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The hosts held out until the closing stages before Ikoi Etta put Abia Warriors ahead in the 88th minute.

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Former NPFL top scorer Emeka Obioma then doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 90th minute to condemn Sporting to defeat in their first home game since returning to the NPFL.

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The result leaves Sporting with three points and 15th on the table after one win and two defeats from their opening three matches.

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“It’s a long season. One defeat doesn’t define our season. We won away from home and we lost at home; it tells you that anything can happen.

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“This is gone and we’ll put it behind us as quickly as possible and focus on Enyimba.”

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Sporting face a battle-hardened Enyimba side in Aba on Wednesday, with the hosts also searching for their first points of the season after losing all three of their opening matches.

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Sunday’s defeat was Sporting’s first home game in the NPFL since their relegation in 2024, but they were unable to mark their return in front of their home fans with a victory.

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Buter, however, was pleased with the reception from the supporters despite the disappointing result.

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“It’s good to see them; you could feel the energy. It’s disappointing; the result is not what we wanted for them, but it’s always nice to have them back.

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“It’s going to be a long season and I’m very optimistic about it and, like I said, this defeat doesn’t define our season. We will get better as the season goes on.”

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