Sporting Lagos made a powerful statement on the opening day of the 2026 ValueJet Cup, cruising to a 3-1 victory over hosts Remo Stars at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Sunday.

Sporting Lagos players in action during their 3-1 victory over Remo Stars in the 2026 ValueJet Cup.

Haruna Hadi was the star of the show, striking twice in the first half before Olalekan Malik added a third after the break to put Sporting Lagos firmly in command.

Valentine Egwu pulled one back for Remo Stars in the second half, but the hosts could not complete the comeback after being reduced to 10 men early in the contest.

Sporting Lagos needed just five minutes to announce their intentions.

Hadi found the breakthrough with an early finish that immediately put the visitors in front and set the tone for what would become a difficult afternoon for the hosts.

Remo Stars’ task became even more challenging only two minutes later when Olisa Emmanuel was shown a red card in the seventh minute.

Forced to play almost the entire match a man down, the hosts struggled to contain a Sporting Lagos side that quickly took control of the game.

The numerical advantage allowed Sporting Lagos to dictate proceedings, and Hadi doubled the advantage in the 31st minute to complete his first-half brace.

Remo Stars went into the break trailing 2-0, with Sporting Lagos firmly in the driving seat.

There was little change in the second half as Sporting Lagos continued to exploit the extra man. Their dominance was rewarded again in the 53rd minute when Malik found the net to stretch the lead to 3-0.

With the hosts seemingly on the brink of a heavy defeat, Egwu offered Remo Stars a glimmer of hope when he pulled a goal back in the 71st minute.

But Sporting Lagos remained composed during the closing stages, refusing to allow the hosts back into the contest as they comfortably saw out the match to secure an impressive 3-1 victory.

The result gives Sporting Lagos an ideal start to a tournament that has steadily established itself as one of Nigeria’s most competitive pre-season competitions.

Launched in 2022, the ValueJet Cup provides clubs with an important platform to build match fitness, assess new signings and test tactical ideas before the start of the domestic season.

Its growing reputation has also seen established Nigerian clubs, including teams competing in the Nigeria Premier Football League and continental competitions, use the tournament as part of their preparations.

The 2026 edition runs from August 9 to August 16 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, and is being dedicated to the memory of Otunba Tade Azeez, the late chairman of the competition.

Last year’s tournament was won by Ikorodu City, who finished ahead of Kwara United, Shooting Stars, Abia Warriors, Rivers United and Remo Stars.

For Sporting Lagos, however, attention will now turn to building on an opening performance that delivered both goals and confidence.

Hadi’s early double gave them the perfect platform, Malik’s strike extended their control, and although Egwu’s response briefly raised hopes of a Remo Stars revival, Sporting Lagos never surrendered their grip on the contest.

With the 2026 ValueJet Cup only getting started, Sporting Lagos have already delivered one of the tournament’s early statements.

And if Hadi’s performance is anything to go by, the forward could be one of the players to watch as the competition unfolds.