Bayelsa United struck a major blow to Shooting Stars’ hopes of securing a continental ticket with a dominant 3-0 victory in their NPFL Matchday 33 encounter on Friday at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
Still reeling from a ₦5 million fine and a fan ban imposed after crowd trouble in their draw against Ikorodu City, Shooting Stars endured a nightmare trip to Yenagoa. Bayelsa United wasted no time in capitalising on their visitors’ woes.
Ogba Ifeanyi and Magbisa Wisdom fired the hosts into a two-goal lead by halftime, before Kehinde Lawal sealed the win just a minute into the second half. The result stretched Bayelsa United’s unbeaten run to seven matches and saw them climb from 19th to 13th on the log with 45 points from 33 games.
Shooting Stars, despite remaining fifth on the table with 48 points, now face increasing pressure from the chasing pack as the race for continental qualification intensifies with just five matches left.
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Editorial
Shooting Stars are learning the hard way that ambition alone doesn’t earn you continental football consistency and composure do. After a turbulent week marked by disciplinary sanctions and a stadium ban, the Ibadan-based club stepped into Yenagoa looking vulnerable. Bayelsa United saw the cracks—and tore right through them.
Let’s be clear this was not just a win. This was a statement. Bayelsa United, once flirting with relegation, have found their rhythm at the perfect time. Seven matches unbeaten, and now sitting in 13th, they’ve turned their survival bid into a story of resurgence. They didn’t just beat Shooting Stars—they dismantled them.
As for 3SC, the red flags are impossible to ignore. Fan behaviour, loss of form, and now a bruising defeat that threatens their continental push—it’s a cocktail of chaos. With five games remaining, the question isn’t just whether they can secure a top-three finish. It’s whether they can steady themselves long enough to stop the slide.
We believe every season tells a story. Right now, Bayelsa’s narrative is one of redemption. Shooting Stars? A tale of self-inflicted wounds. Only time will reveal the ending.
Did You Know?
- The Samson Siasia Stadium, home of Bayelsa United, is named after former Super Eagles player and coach Samson Siasia.
- Bayelsa United were NPFL champions in 2009 and also reached the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup that year.
- Kehinde Lawal, who scored Bayelsa’s third goal, has now scored in back to back home games.
- Shooting Stars (3SC) are one of Nigeria’s most historic clubs, having won the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1976.
- Bayelsa United’s current seven-game unbeaten run is their longest streak of the season.
