By OLATUNDE AJAYI

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan began their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign on an encouraging note, defeating newly promoted Inter Lagos FC 2-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Friday.

Shooting Stars thrilled their home fans, who turned out in large numbers to cheer the team to victory in their opening fixture, with their performance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 3SC took the lead in the 15th minute when Lucky Emmanuel struck a powerful shot from inside the six-yard box to put the hosts ahead.

Inter Lagos responded in the 33rd minute as Uchenna Njoku capitalised on an error by Shooting Stars captain, Gbolagade Adelowo, to convert a pass from his teammate, Iyede Kewe, to make it 1-1.

3SC eventually regained the lead on the stroke of half-time after Inter Lagos defender Jamiu Arowolo was penalised for fouling Shooting Stars’ Lucky Emmanuel in the box.

Sodiq Ibrahim stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 45th minute to give the Oluyole Warriors a 2-1 lead at the break.

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

The victory serves as a morale booster for 3SC, who are returning to continental football this season, after a strong finish in the 2025/26 NPFL campaign.

Shooting Stars secured a return to continental football after 27 years at the end of the 2025/26 campaign when it placed third on the league table behind champions, Rangers International, Enough and runners-up Rivers United.

It marked their highest league finish in over a decade and signaled a major turnaround for one of Nigeria’s most historic clubs.

For Shooting Stars, the 2025/26 campaign was built on defensive solidity and home dominance at the Lekan Salami Stadium, a foundation the team will hope to build on as they juggle domestic and continental engagements in the new season. (NAN)