NNL Playoffs: Coach Victor Okwologu upbeats about Inter Lagos' promotion chances

 

Assistant Coach of Inter Lagos FC, Victor Okwologu, expressed strong confidence that the club will secure a spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) next season.

Inter Lagos clinched a place in the promotion playoffs after a successful debut campaign in the Nigeria National League (NNL). 

The Lagos-based team confirmed their playoff berth with a decisive 2-0 victory over Ijebu United at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

As the NNL Super 8 approaches, Okwologu stated, "We are fully prepared and confident in our abilities. The club will be ready for the challenge."

Highlighting the team's ambitions, he added, "Inter Lagos is aiming to play at the highest level. Our goal is clear: we want to compete in the NPFL and make our mark."

Okwologu, who holds a UEFA B License with the Scottish Football Association, noted the club's preparation and determination. "We have worked hard all season, and our focus and ambition remain unwavering. This is a significant opportunity for us, and we intend to seize it," he said.

Joining Inter Lagos in the Southern Conference for the playoffs are Ikorodu City, Madiba FC, and Beyond Limits FC. In the Northern Conference, Sporting Supreme of Abuja, Sokoto United, El Kanemi Warriors, and Nasarawa United have all qualified, having completed their matches weeks earlier.

The NNL Super 8, which will see four teams gain promotion to the NPFL, is scheduled to take place in Enugu from May 23 to 30.

Lanre Vigo reveals future plans on Inter Lagos FC project

 

Lanre Vigo, the co-founder and CEO of Inter Lagos, has stated that the club's primary objective is to become the best team in Africa. 

Vigo, who used to be a semi-professional footballer in England, revealed this after Inter Lagos lost to Osun United by a line goal in a Nigerian National League fixture. 

Although the defeat was disappointing, Vigo expressed confidence in his team and stated that they would bounce back in their next match. 

He also discussed how Inter Lagos managed to go unbeaten for seven matches after a shaky start to the season. 

According to Vigo, "Inter Lagos is a new team that needed time to find its rhythm. However, once the team started winning, their critics began to take them seriously."

Vigo and the other co-founders have invested heavily in the club, and they have received support from a few investors who believe in their vision. 

"The club's long-term goal is to become the number one team in Africa, and they have a 10-year plan to achieve this. 

"As part of this plan, they intend to build their stadium, which will help them settle down better."

He summed up how their player recruitment works, which adds up to why an average Inter Lagos player has a physical presence on the pitch. 

"When you watch a football game, it's about 11 versus 11 regardless of the sizes of the players, for Inter Lagos, is more of the ability.  It just so happened that our players are of certain sizes,  so when scouting if any player is good enough, he can play for the club."

Vigo also believes that there is a lack of connection between clubs and fans in Nigeria, which is why Inter Lagos is focusing on engagement to attract more fans to their matches. 

He draws from his experience playing semi-professional football in England, where he was part of a team that attracted over a thousand fans to every home game.

"We felt that there was no connection between clubs and fans in Nigeria, as nothing was attracting them to games. So we thought using the media/social media in engaging with the fans, which has also helped our marketing."