"
Resilient Shooting Stars Down Abia Warriors to Stretch Unbeaten Run to Five
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan continued their fine form in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a convincing 2–0 victory over Abia Warriors on Sunday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
The victory — their fourth in five matches — extended the Oluyole Warriors’ unbeaten streak to five games and further cemented their place among the early-season title contenders under Head Coach Nurudeen Aweroro.
From the blast of the whistle, 3SC showed intent, dictating play and keeping Abia Warriors pinned in their half. The hosts’ early pressure nearly paid off when Promise Awosanmi was fouled just outside the box in the 7th minute, setting the tone for an attacking display. Two minutes later, Adegoke Abiodun forced a fine save from the Abia Warriors goalkeeper with a powerful strike.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Ayobami Junior finished off a flowing team move to hand 3SC a well-deserved lead, sending the home fans into wild celebration. The in-form forward almost doubled the advantage nine minutes later, but his low effort was again parried away.
Abia Warriors, in search of a response, struggled to find rhythm as the defensive duo of Tijani Al-Ameen and Adelowo Gbolagade stood firm to thwart their attacks. Before halftime, Tijani Kabir came close with a curling freekick that went narrowly wide, ensuring the Oluyole Warriors went into the break with a slender but comfortable lead.
The second half saw Coach Aweroro make smart tactical adjustments, introducing Qamar Adegoke for Sodiq Ibrahim to inject fresh energy into the attack. Later, Ayodele Ismail and Adams Mustapha were brought on in the 61st minute to maintain tempo and control in midfield.
Abia Warriors struggled to get past a resolute 3SC defense, with Adelowo’s superb tackle in the 72nd minute earning loud applause from the stands. The hosts continued to press, and in the 78th minute, Adams Mustapha’s freekick and a rebound effort from Tunde Azeez came agonizingly close to extending the lead.
The decisive moment came four minutes from time when substitute Qamar Adegoke coolly finished off a brilliant attacking sequence, slotting past the goalkeeper to make it 2–0 and put the game beyond reach.
At full-time, the stadium erupted in celebration as Shooting Stars secured yet another vital win — their third straight victory at home. The result lifts the Oluyole Warriors to second place on the NPFL table, underlining their steady progress, confidence, and growing belief under Aweroro’s leadership.
With momentum firmly on their side, 3SC will now turn their attention to a tricky away fixture against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi next weekend, as they aim to sustain their impressive unbeaten run and continue their push toward the summit of the league.