NPFL:​‌‍​‌‍⁠⁠‌‍​‌‍​‌‍‍‌​ 3SC defeat Inter Lagos FC 2-1 in league opener

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

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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.

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The News Agency of Nigeria 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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, Enyimba, and runners-up Rivers United.

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

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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.

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