Shooting Stars beat Inter Lagos in NPFL opener

… as Remi Oseni doles out free tickets

Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan began their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign on a winning note, defeating newly promoted Inter Lagos 2-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Friday.

The Oluyole Warriors produced a determined performance in front of their home fans, who turned out in large numbers to cheer the team to victory in their opening fixture of the new season.

Shooting Stars took the lead in the 15th minute when Lucky Emmanuel fired a powerful effort from inside the six-yard box to put the home side ahead.

Tosin Oshomo was booked in the 20th minute, while Inter Lagos restored parity two minutes later through Uchenna Njoku.

Njoku capitalised on an error by Shooting Stars captain, Gbolagade Adelowo, to convert a pass from his teammate, Iyede Kewe, and make it 1-1.

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The visitors’ goalkeeper, Favour Bala, was kept busy as Shooting Stars pushed for another goal. He produced a fine save in the 29th minute to deny Jobi from close range before again using his reflexes to keep out another effort from Lucky Emmanuel in the 39th minute.

Shooting Stars eventually regained the lead on the stroke of half-time after Jamiu Arowolo was adjudged to have fouled Lucky Emmanuel in the box.

Sodiq Ibrahim stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 46th minute to give the Oluyole Warriors a 2-1 lead at the break.

The second half was largely cagey, with both sides unable to find the back of the net despite efforts to create openings.

Shooting Stars had an opportunity to extend their advantage from the penalty spot but failed to convert the second spot-kick, leaving the scoreline at 2-1 until the final whistle.

The victory provided an encouraging start for Shooting Stars as they begin their campaign with three points in front of their home supporters.

Meanwhile, Oyo South Senatorial District APC candidate, Engineer Remi Oseni, mobilised hundreds of supporters to cheer the Oluyole Warriors to victory.

Oseni’s youth wing led a large contingent of supporters to the stadium, with free tickets distributed to fans as part of efforts to boost home support for the Ibadan-based club.

Speaking with Sporting Tribune, Oseni’s Personal Assistant, Mr Alabi Ibrahim, popularly known as Otunba, who spoke on behalf of the politician’s youth wing, said the initiative was aimed at rallying support for Shooting Stars.

“Engineer Remi Oseni is a lover of sports and passionate about Shooting Stars. This is one of the ways we can support the team and encourage them in their quest for victory,” Alabi said.

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