Sporting Lagos head coach, Jeffery Buter, says his team is ready for the much-anticipated Lagos derby against Ikorodu City despite the demanding schedule.
The two sides were set to face each other at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture.
Sporting Lagos went into the match looking to respond after being held to a 1-1 draw by Barau FC in their previous league outing.
Buter acknowledged that the tight schedule had placed additional physical demands on his players. However, he said the team was focused on managing fatigue and ensuring that the players were prepared for the derby.
“There are a lot of games, there is fatigue. We are trying to rest players to keep them fresh for the next game,” Buter said.
He added that the coaching staff would carefully manage the workload of players who featured against Barau while also considering those who did not play.
The clash was another chapter in the growing football rivalry between two Lagos-based clubs competing in the NPFL.
Derby ends goalless
The match has since been played, with Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City settling for a 0-0 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Sporting Lagos created opportunities but failed to convert them, while Ikorodu City held firm defensively.
Buter later acknowledged that Sporting Lagos needed to improve their finishing after the goalless result.
The 2026/27 NPFL season continues to bring increased attention to Lagos football, with Sporting Lagos, Ikorodu City and Inter Lagos all featuring in the top flight.
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