Sporting defeated league leaders Ikorodu United 1-0 last Sunday to seal that important first win in the Nigeria National League, NNL.
Fleet-footed playmaker, Gbolahan Mustapha, netted the decisive goal for the Sporting Boys to claim their first points in the 2022 campaign.
But what else do you know about the match-winner. Mustapha?
Here are 3 interesting things you need to know about the Sporting Lagos hero;
1. He won’t be alive without football
We are going to simply quote him here, in his words, Gbolahan says he is nothing without the beautiful game. “I don’t know who I am without football, and while others may think that’s a bad thing, I think it’s great to have something I’m so passionate about that it consumes me,” Gbolahan stated. “I owe a lot of that passion to my family. As a child, my dad and brother saw that I loved football and gave me all their moral support.” “I didn’t realise it until recently, but throughout my football career, I’ve been asked one question repeatedly — “What will you do if football doesn’t work out?” My answer is the same every time. Nothing.”
2. He is left-footed and called ‘Messi’
Of course, this does not come to us as a surprise considering that Mustapha is easily identifiable on the pitch. His left foot and style of play set him apart from his teammates and it’s no coincidence that he netted that crucial winner against Ikorodu with that same foot.
“I’m one of the two people called Messi on this team. I find it hilarious. ‘Two Messis on one team?’ That means we have to win everything!
Because I’m left-footed and similarly statured, Messi is my idol. I watch his videos every day and hope I can bring some of the magic he brings to his teams to mine.”
3. His mother became a football fan the day he came back with money at 6
For Gbolahan, one moment will always standout in his life as a football lover – the day his mother became a football fan. “One day when I was six, I skipped school to play football and found myself in a 5-aside competition. The organisers grouped us into teams and had us play against each other for a few days until one team came out on top. It was my team.
As a prize, they gave everyone on the team ₦20,000. That’s the first time I made money in my life. When I gave my mum the money and told her I got it from winning a football competition, she was shocked. Pleasantly shocked. That day, she became my number one fan, and she still is today.”
This Sunday…
Gbolahan will be looking to help Sporting Lagos win back-to-back games for the first time ever. Sporting host Nnewi United in what is expected to be a very exciting and entertaining encounter.
With Big Brother winner and Super rapper, Laycon, set to be the special guest, you can’t afford to be anywhere else.
Grab a ticket here to join your favourite entertainment brand, SociaLiga, and others this Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium at 4 pm for another SUPER FOOTBALL PARTY!