Sporting Lagos head coach Jeffrey Buter has revealed how a strong half-time intervention helped his side overturn a two-goal deficit and defeat Enyimba 3-2 in Wednesday’s Nigeria Premier Football League encounter in Aba, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Lagos club produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the early NPFL season after falling 2-0 behind in the first half against the People’s Elephant.
Buter admitted that Sporting Lagos were below their best before the interval but challenged his players to respond after the break, insisting that the game was still within their reach.
“It was just for them to be better in the second half because in the first we were really poor. We should’ve scored goals, and I let them understand that the game was still there to be taken,” Buter explained.
“That it is still early for us to correct the mistakes of the first half, and I think we started very well.”
Sporting Lagos responded to the manager’s message with a much-improved display after the restart, reducing the deficit before completing the comeback with two further goals.
Buter also pointed to the mental strength of his players, particularly after Sporting Lagos conceded what he described as a “cheap penalty” following a brief lapse in concentration.
Despite the setback, the visitors maintained their composure and continued to push for the result.
“Also the mental strength to continue to play, especially the way we did it, finding the second goal and going on to find the winner and controlling the game. I think the half-time team talk really helped us. It was [about] come out and show what you are made of,” he added.
The victory gives Sporting Lagos a major boost as they continue their NPFL campaign, while Enyimba suffered their second consecutive league defeat.
For Buter, the comeback could also provide his players with renewed confidence after demonstrating that they can respond effectively even when faced with a difficult situation away from home.