Inter Lagos commonly referred to as The Pride of Lagos,[1] is a Nigerian professional football club based in Lagos, and plays in the Nigeria National League. Inter Lagos home games are played at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan Stadium, one of Nigeria's oldest stadiums in Lagos,[2] Inter Lagos is regarded as Sporting Lagos revival in the Lagos State Football Association since its debut in 2023.
The club was founded in 2023 by Lanre Vigo, Olumide Fayankin, and Gatumi Aliyu.[3][4] On 18 November 2023, Inter Lagos made its first debut at the 2023-24 Nigeria National League. The team started well in the league but lost its first few games. On 6 January 2024, it recorded its first home win against Gateway United by 1 goal. In the group stage of the NNL, Inter Lagos climbed to the top of its group. On 8 March 2024, the club marked International Women's Day with a special edition jersey featuring the faces of inspirational African women.[5] On 13 March 2024, it made its first debut in the State FA Cup. The team played well in the knockout round of the Lagos State FA Cup and qualified for the 2024 Nigeria Federation Cup in its first attempt in the State FA Cup.[citation needed]
On 2 May 2024, Inter Lagos debuted at 2024 Nigeria Federation Cup, and won by 6 goals against May & Frank F.C. in the first round. On 22 May 2024, Inter Lagos defeated Hammola FC On 12 May 2024, it qualified for the Nigeria National League Super 8 promotional stage, competing against 7 clubs for the champion of the Nigeria National League after winning its last group-stage match against Ijebu United by 2 goals.[6] On 22 May 2024, it defeated Hammola FC after playing penalties in the second round, and the match finished 0–0 in regulation time.[7] On 24 May 2024, Nigeria Federation Cup released its 16 fixture in the final round with Inter Lagos competing against 15 teams.[8] On 29 May 2024, it defeated Ikorodu City FC after playing penalties in the third round, and the match finished 1–1 in regulation time, and qualified for the quarter-final for the Federation Cup.[9]
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In the 2023–24 season of the Nigeria National League, Inter Lagos made its first debut on 18 November 2023 in the promotional group stage of the league. On 6 January 2024, the club recorded its first home win and climbed to the top of the table in Group B stage.[12] On 12 May 2024, it qualifies for the Nigeria National League Super 8, competing against 7 clubs for the champion of the Nigeria National League to be held in Enugu from 7 June to 14 June 2024 after winning its last group-stage match against Ijebu United by 2 goals.[6]
On 10 June 2024, Inter Lagos debuted at the Nigeria National League Super 8 playoff and lost by 1 goal to Madiba FC in its first appearance, and the match finished 2–1 in regulation time. Inter Lagos midfielder Uchenna Njoku was honored with the Man of the Match award by the Nigeria National League after the game. On 12 June 2024, Inter Lagos lost its second game by 1 goal to Beyond Limits FC, and the match finished 1-0 in regulation time. The 2023-24 Nigeria National League was won by Beyond Limits FC.
On 24 October 2023, Nigeria Football Federation announced dates for the state federation cup, to pick 2 clubs to represent each state, including FCT at Nigeria Federation Cup. Inter Lagos debuted on 13 March 2024 at the Lagos State FA Cup and went to the semi-finals, winning 2 - 0 against its rival Sporting Lagos F.C. on 28 March,[13] and lost to Ikorodu City F.C. at the final by 2 goals on 31 March.[14] On 27 March 2024, the Nigeria National League confirmed its weekend fixtures for the last week of March to resume on Tuesday, 2 April 2024, in line with the NFF’s directive to conclude the 2024 Federation Cup matches on March 30th and 31st, as NNL club's like Inter Lagos will participate in the finals.[15][16]
On 7 April 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation announced the Federation Cup play-off to begin in five cities on 11 April 2024 with Inter Lagos F.C., and Ikorodu City F.C. representing Lagos State.[17] On 2 May 2024, Inter made its first appearance at the Nigerian Federation Cup, playing against May & Frank FC, and winning by 6 goals.[18] On 22 May 2024, Inter Lagos defeated Hammola FC after playing penalties in the second round, and the match finished 0–0 in regulation time.
