Regin College produced a scintillating second-half performance to defeat Federal Technical College (FTC) Yaba 3-0 and emerge champions of the inaugural Sporting Lagos Secondary School Cup at the historic Elegbata Sports Complex on Lagos Island.
The convincing victory saw Reign College not only lift the competition’s first-ever trophy but also complete a remarkable clean sweep of the tournament’s major individual awards, underlining their dominance throughout the competition.
Reign College Shine in Historic Final
The eagerly anticipated final began with both schools locked in an evenly contested first half. FTC Yaba defended resolutely to frustrate Reign College, ensuring the teams went into the break goalless.
However, the contest changed dramatically after the restart as Reign College raised the tempo. Their slick passing, disciplined midfield play and clinical finishing overwhelmed FTC Yaba, with three unanswered goals sealing an emphatic 3-0 triumph and writing their name into the tournament’s history as its maiden champions.
Road to the Championship
The inaugural Sporting Lagos Secondary School Cup, organised by Sporting Lagos and sponsored by Selar and GoodTree Ag, featured eight secondary schools from across Lagos State:
* Regin College
* Federal Technical College (FTC), Yaba
* Gracewell Academy
* Anwar-Ul Islam
* King’s College
* CMS Grammar School
* Christ The Redeemer
* St. Michael Anglican College (SMAC)
The competition produced several surprises, with traditional football powerhouses King’s College, CMS Grammar School, Christ The Redeemer and SMAC bowing out in the quarter-finals.
Regin College secured their place in the final with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Gracewell Academy in the semi-finals.
FTC Yaba, meanwhile, survived a tense encounter against Anwar-Ul Islam. After both teams failed to find the breakthrough in regulation time, FTC triumphed 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shootout to book their place in the championship match.
Gracewell Academy Finish Third
Earlier on the final day, Gracewell Academy claimed the tournament’s third-place prize after edging Anwar-Ul Islam 5-3 on penalties.
Gracewell raced into a two-goal lead before Anwar-Ul Islam mounted an impressive comeback to level the score at 2-2. The contest was eventually decided from the penalty spot, where Gracewell held their nerve to secure the bronze medal.
Regin College Sweep Individual Awards
Regin College’s outstanding campaign was reflected in the individual honours.
Marvellous Amaechi, an SS2 student, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after delivering a series of commanding midfield performances, including an influential display in the final.
Goalkeeper David Azukwo received the GoodTree Golden Glove Award after recording three clean sheets during the tournament, playing a pivotal role in Reign College’s title-winning run.
Boost for Grassroots Football
The successful staging of the maiden Sporting Lagos Secondary School Cup represents another significant step in promoting grassroots football development in Lagos State.
With high-quality performances, competitive matches and emerging young talents on display throughout the tournament, the competition has laid a strong foundation for future editions while reinforcing the importance of school sports in nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of football stars.