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By Ojeikere Aikhoje
The South West Derby in the Nigeria Premier Football League between Sporting Lagos and Remo Stars is less than a year old, but fast becoming the most talked about derby in the land.
Before Sporting Lagos’ promotion to the top flight the duo of Shooting Stars and Sunshine Stas have been involved in derbies with Remo Stars, but the latest serving of the South West Derby has reached an all-time high.
In terms of attendance in derbies, it might not be the highest as the Katsina United v Kano Pillars clash decided recently was played in a bigger facility with more fans on match day.
Just like the Katsina/Pillars clash, the Gombe Derby between Gombe United vs Doma United equally had lots of fans, but this South West Derby remains a spectacle to behold.
Truth be told… everyone is talking about the Sporting Lagos vs Remo Stars fixture!
What’s special about this South West Derby:
It is the real definition of a derby.
Innovative campaigns, unforgettable moments and fireworks. It is the ultimate football rivalry as there will be football and lot of entertainment on and off the pitch.
Innovative Campaign (Brand Awareness)
Innovative social media campaign by the Lagos side has taken this derby to new heights.
Since Tuesday, Sporting Lagos’ X Handle, @SportingLagos has been busy with interesting stories about the fixture.
In addition, it has promoted the game with links on how to purchase match day tickets.
It served as an opportunity to create brand awareness about the derby backed by an emotional appeal which underlined the desire to attend a legendary match. It also had a call to action for ticket purchase.
Spaces on X
To enhance the profile of Sunday’s derby, the club hosted Spaces on X which featured Coaches of both teams: Paul Offor and Daniel Ogunmodede as well as fans of the teams.
Box Tickets Sold Out
Expectedly, Box Tickets for this game has been sold out!
It’s not just about the quality of fans with box tickets, but the fact that it is the most expensive derby from a ticketing point of view.
A box ticket sells for N25,000 and by Thursday box tickets were no longer available for fans.
The box ticket provides the perfect view for a different class of fans who also get to enjoy the best match day hospitality package in the county: food and drinks served by beautiful hostesses.
Happy Corner
For the Happy Corner guys, this is the game to see!
A road trip was organised for the reverse fixture so expect a lot of noise during this special game.
The atmosphere will be nothing short of electrifying. Trust the Happy Corner to produce chants reverberating through the stadium and beyond as the 12th Man.
Expect faces painted in club colors, flags waving frantically and vuvuzelas.
Each pass, tackle, and goal is felt personally, from the Happy Corner battling for the pride of Lagos.
Then, songs for the players. The only team in the NPFL with special songs for players.
Stars On Parade
Former Esperance striker and NPFL top scorer, Junior Lokosa and goalkeeper, Christian Nwoke are stars Sporting Lagos fans already love.
Add three-goal hero, Tochukwu Michael, already nominated for the Player of the Month of February, Wisdom Fernando and defender David Adeleke, you have new stars that have wormed their way into the hearts of the fans.
Remo Stars have league joint-top scorer, Sikiru Alimi, assist star, Sodiq Ismail as well as goalkeeper and captain, Bankole Kayode, as stars to watch out for.
It is a parade of the stars.
History & Bragging Rights
Both sides met for the first time in July 2023, shortly after the Lagos side gained promotion to the top flight and earned a wild card to feature at the NaijaSuper 8 tournament.
Against all expectations, the Lagos side not only reached the final, but defeated the more successful Remo Stars to emerge inaugural champions of NaijaSuper 8.
That victory set the stage for the latest South West Derby which is now the biggest derby in the region.
Although Remo Stars has since earned their revenge in two successive matches, this game presents another opportunity to claim bragging rights.
And don’t forget … three important points at stake.
Sunday’s meeting will be the fourth between both sides and it promises to be explosive.
- July 2023: NaijaSuper8: (Lagos) Sporting Lagos 2-1 Remo Stars
- August 2023: Pre-Season: (Ikenne) Remo Stars 2-0 Sporting Lagos
- October 2023: NPFL 2023/24: Remo Stars 2-1 Sporting Lagos
- March 2024: NPFL 2023/24: Sporting Lagos v Remo Stars
The Future of this South West Derby
As Sporting Lagos FC continues to build its brand in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos, this derby will clearly help shape its future commercially.
No doubt, with investments pouring into new talent and infrastructural advancements, the stage is set for a heightened level of competition and spectacle.
Just be ready to be served another package of this derby at the Sporting Lagos home ground in Lekki soon.
Let’s Go Sporting, Let’s Go!
Images: @SportingLagos
