The Nation Newspaper

Tag: shooting stars

  • NPFL: Shooting Stars, Enyimba wallop opponents as Rangers keep top spot  

    NPFL: Shooting Stars, Enyimba wallop opponents as Rangers keep top spot  

    Enyimba FC recorded a first league win over Rivers United since 2019 following their 4-1 comprehensive defeat of the Pride of Rivers in Aba while Enugu Rangers endured a difficult afternoon to earn a draw away to Sporting Lagos as NPFL Matchday 34 fixtures were played out.

    The People’s Elephant have moved to the second spot with 59 points following the dramatic comeback victory. Rivers United  Andy Okpe scored the game’s opening goal in the 14th  minute but Chijioke Mbaoma’s brace helped Enyimba to turn the table. A further brace from Elijah Akanni made it an emphatic finish for the league’s reigning champs who cut Rangers gap at the top to two points.

    Rangers retained top spot after a tough goalless draw against Sporting Lagos who wanted to win the game at all costs to leave the drop zone. Sporting Lagos are 16th  on the log with 42 points but only out of the drop zone by goals difference.

    Read Also: Enyimba, Remo Stars, Shooting Stars face tricky NPFL home ties

    Remo Stars had beaten Kano Pillars, a day earlier to stay in the third spot with 59 points but they must be wary of Shooting Stars who are fourth with 56 points after they lashed Abia Warriors 4-0 in Ibadan.

    Lobi Stars dampened their league aspiration further with a 1-0 loss to Doma United in Gombe while Plateau United woke up late to lose to Bayelsa United 3-2 in Yenagoa.

    In Kaduna, Niger Tornadoes were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Kwara United. Dehinde Ibrahim had given the Harmony Boys the lead in the 63rd minute but Bashir Usman equalised for Ikon Allah Boys in the 90th minute.

    Gombe United didn’t do their home game with Sunshine Stars anything good after they were beaten 2-0 at home by the Owena Whales. Promise Awosanmi and Lucky Nwafor’s goals in the ninth and 28th minutes did the magic and the win has helped to zoom to the 14th  spot with 43 points.

    The weekend’s last fixture holds today in Uyo between Akwa United and Heartland FC. It is a must win for both teams.

  • NPFL: Shooting Stars win in Kano to boost top three prospects

    NPFL: Shooting Stars win in Kano to boost top three prospects

    Shooting Stars pulled off a sensational 2-1 away victory against Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium,.Kano yesterday to boost their chances of finishing the 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League season in the top three. It was a Matchday 29 tie and it was Sai Masu Gida that started the game with more urgency probably to atone for their 5-0 disgrace in the hands of Enyimba in Aba on Wednesday. It was no surprise they took the lead through their legendary Rabiu Ali in the second minute of the game following a frenetic start and it was how the first half finished.

    Shooting Stars came out smoking in the second half and we’re rewarded with the equaliser in the 48th minute through Taye Muritala before Christian Pyagbara managed to get the match-winning goal fourth minutes into the added time.

    The win has taken the Oluyole Warriors to the sixth spot with 46 points from 29 games while Kano Pillars who remain winless after games have slipped to the ninth spot with 41 points.

    In other games played over the weekend, Plateau United thrashed Doma United 4-0  to move to fifth spot with 47 points while Remo Stars pipped Akwa United 2-1 in Ikenne to occupy the third spot with 49 points and with a game at hand over other two before them.

    In Aba, Heartland FC returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Lagos through Stephen Chukwude’s double and another from Chukwudi Esobe while Junior Lokosa got the Noisy Lagosians’ solitary goal.

    Read Also: Tornadoes fight-back to  stun Shooting Stars

    It was a seven goal thriller in Katsina between Katsina United and Enugu Rangers but it was the former that captured the three points by edging the Flying Antelopes 4-3. The Chanji Boys are now seventh on the log with 44 points while Rangers gap at the top has been closed by Lobi Stars who beat Enyimba 1-0 in Lafia to ascend to 51 points but are second on goals difference. Rangers remain on top with 51 points.

    Kwara United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Bendel Insurance who recovered from a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Niger Tornadoes on Wednesday while Niger Tornadoes walloped Gombe United 5-0 to continue their recent resurgence. The Ikon Allah Boys are now in 10th  position with 39 points and are gradually leaving the drop zone for good.

    Also at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure, Sunshine Stars had to come from behind before getting a 1-1 draw at home to Bayelsa United.

    NPFL Matchday 29 Results

    Plateau United 4-0 Doma United

    Remo Stars 2-1 Akwa United

    Heartland 3-1 Sporting Lagos

    Kano Pillars 1-2 Shooting Stars

    Katsina United 4-3 Enugu Rangers

    Kwara United 1-1 Bendel Insurance

    Lobi Stars 1-0 Enyimba

    Niger Tornadoes 5-0 Gombe United

    Sunshine Stars 1-1 Bayelsa United

  • Ishaq back for 3SC after NPFL All Stars exploits

    Ishaq back for 3SC after NPFL All Stars exploits

    Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) forward, Rafiu Kayode Ishaq has returned to the Oluyole Warriors after his experience with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Under-17 All-Stars team at the just concluded Future Champions Gaunteng International Tournament in South Africa.

    The 16 year old played all the games except final where the Coach Austin Eguavoen-led team were beaten 2-1 by Spanish club Atletico Madrid, having received a red card in the 3-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi final.

    The highly rated player who featured six times for the Ibadan-based clubside before being called to the All Stars team is now expected to feature in the NPFL matchday 17 fixture away to Akwa United on Sunday.

    The Abraysports Academy player, who is on loan to Shooting Stars and has been courted by European clubs, said his main focus is helping 3SC secure a comfortable finish this season.

    “All glory belongs to Almighty God for the journey mercies and injury-free tournament. Also I have to thank the League Management Company ( LMC) for giving us the opportunity to showcase our talents outside the country, it was a huge experience for me in particular.

    “Right now I only want to concentrate on my football at Shooting Stars. We are not in good position and the team is worried about that. My focus now is to help the team secure a top place finish at the end of the season. I’m not in a rush for any foreign deal now, Europe move will come later,” Ishaq said.

  • NPFL week 16 result: MFM back on top

    NPFL week 16 result: MFM back on top

    The week 16 round of matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League saw Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Football Club (MFMFC) move back to the top of the league.

    MFMFC defeated Abia Warriors after goals from wonder boy, Sikiru Olatunbosun and star striker Stephen Odey gave them a 2-1 victory at Agege on Wednesday. 

    Odey scored in the 4th minute for the “Olukoya boys” while Olatunbosun doubled the lead in the 31 minute.

    84 minutes into the match, Sunday Adetunji returned a goal for the visitors, but it was too late.NPFL result

    Similarly, Plateau United got a draw away against Rivers United to maintain present strength this season while Rangers United’s poor performance continued with a draw at home to Remo Stars.

    Wikki Tourists, Shooting Stars, Ifeanyi Ubah and Sunshine Stars all got home victories. Lobi Stars tackles Akwa United FC tomorrow in Makurdi.

    MFMFC’s striker, Odey remains the current highest goal scorer in the league with 13 goals.

  • ‘Shooting Stars not under pressure’

    ‘Shooting Stars not under pressure’

    Ahead of Shooting Stars’ trip to Katsina United, Bode Daniel insists the club is not under pressure despite sitting in the relegation zone.

    The Oluyole Warriors have two outstanding games, but they have played a couple of friendly games to prepare for Sunday’s trip to Katsina United.

    “We have played two friendly games against Osun United on Sunday which we won 3-2 and another one against an amateur team, Wonder Boys which we also won,” Daniel told Goal.

    “All these moves are to keep us in the right shape and frame of mind as we prepare to visit Katsina United this weekend.

    “We are condemned to seek away points,  this is one of the chances we have. It’s going to be a tough game but we shall give our best.

    “We aren’t under pressure, the mood in camp is very motivating and the feeling to conquer is rocket high.”

  • Gata: Shooting Stars won’t escape ABS’ wrath

    Gata: Shooting Stars won’t escape ABS’ wrath

    ABS FC forward Adeshina Gata has insisted that the squad will do all that they can to get back to winning ways following Wednesday’s defeat to Lobi Stars.

    “We were very disappointed with the performance and the result,” Gata told Goal.

    “The coaches are going to sort it out and make sure it never happens again and get back to winning ways.

    “Shooting Stars will pay for it when we play against them in our next league match. We won’t spare them at all.”

  • Nigeria League match results

    The following are the results of Match Day 1 fixtures in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), played on Sunday:

    Shooting Stars 2-0 Lobi Stars

    MFM FC 3-0 Niger Tornadoes

    Enyimba International 1-0 Sunshine Stars

    ABS FC 3-1 Akwa United

    Rivers United 2-1 El-Kanemi Warriors FC

    Rangers International 1-2 Abia Warriors

    Katsina United 2-1 Gombe United

    Remo Stars 1-2 Plateau United

    Wikki Tourists 0-0 Nasarawa United(NAN)

    Played on Saturday:

    Kano Pillars 1-0 FC IfeanyiUbah

    (abandoned after 50 minutes)(NAN)

  • Fatai Amoo returns as Shooting Stars coach

    Fatai Amoo returns as Shooting Stars coach

    Nigeria Olympic team assistant coach, Fatai Amoo is set to be announced as the new boss of Nigeria premier league side, Shooting Stars.

    It will be his second spell at ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ after he first took charge of the Ibadan club between 2009 and 2011.

    Top officials disclosed that Amoo’s appointment will be made public this week.

    He will replace Gbenga Ogunbote, who is on his way to securing a top post after Abdu Maikaba was considered ahead of him for the Akwa United top job.

    His contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ended with the recent Rio Olympics in Brazil.

    Former Nigeria midfielder Amoo has previously handled Julius Berger, Sunshine Stars and Enyimba.

  • Shooting Stars stay away from training

    Shooting Stars stay away from training

    Shooting Stars have said they will continue their pay strike today until their various demands are met by the management.

    ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ are owed five months’ pay and 10 match bonuses and they insist they should be paid a lump sum before they will return to training ahead of their next match against relegation-threatened Warri Wolves.

    “The players will continue with their pay strike today,” a source disclosed.

    “They have now demanded that they be paid at least a million Naira each before they will consider calling off this strike.

    “They also wish to see the contracts they have with Shooting Stars.”

    The work-to-rule started Tuesday evening when the players stayed away from training, leaving the coaches to later also leave the training ground.

    Shooting Stars are 14th on the table with 44 points from 33 matches.

  • Shooting Stars stay away from training

    Shooting Stars stay away from training

    Shooting Stars have said they will continue their pay strike today until their various demands are met by the management.

    ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ are owed five months’ pay and 10 match bonuses and they insist they should be paid a lump sum before they will return to training ahead of their next match against relegation-threatened Warri Wolves.

    “The players will continue with their pay strike today,” a source disclosed.

    “They have now demanded that they be paid at least a million Naira each before they will consider calling off this strike.

    “They also wish to see the contracts they have with Shooting Stars.”

    The work-to-rule started Tuesday evening when the players stayed away from training, leaving the coaches to later also leave the training ground.

    Shooting Stars are 14th on the table with 44 points from 33 matches.