Shooting Stars Still Winless After Narrow Loss to Rivers United

Shooting Stars’ search for a first victory of the 2025/26 NPFL season continued after they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Rivers United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The Oluyole Warriors went into the clash without a win from three games, and though they held firm in the first half, their resistance was broken in the 72nd minute. Ubong Friday fired home a stunning volley inside the box after latching onto a corner, sealing the win for last season’s second runners-up.

Head coach Nurudeen Aweroro, still moulding his squad, has been gradually settling on consistent starters and instilling a high-intensity approach. However, results have yet to reflect his efforts, and pressure is beginning to mount among fans, management, and players alike.

Earlier in Matchday 3, Shooting Stars held Ikorodu City to a 1-1 draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium in a pulsating South West Derby, following a loss to Bayelsa United and a draw away to Bendel Insurance.

Shooting Stars remain winless after four matches and find themselves sliding down the NPFL table. They now turn their attention to a crucial home fixture against newly promoted Kun Khalifat FC on September 21, where they will hope to finally kick-start their season.

Editorial

We view Shooting Stars’ ongoing struggles as both a test of character and a test of planning. Four games without a win is not catastrophic at this stage, but it risks setting a negative rhythm for the season. What stands out most is not just the results, but the sense that Aweroro’s high-intensity system has yet to deliver sustained dividends. There are moments of promise, but moments do not win campaigns.

Ubong Friday’s decisive volley for Rivers United exemplifies the thin margins that define NPFL fixtures. Shooting Stars contained their hosts for over an hour but switched off when it mattered most. Such lapses in concentration are not just technical they speak to discipline, organisation, and leadership. Until these qualities are sharpened, the team will remain vulnerable, no matter the style they try to impose.

The frustration of supporters is understandable. Shooting Stars are a proud club with history and expectation, yet they now find themselves struggling against newly promoted sides and mid-table teams. Faith in Aweroro’s long-term vision must be balanced with the urgency of immediate results. NPFL seasons are unforgiving; allowing too many points to slip early often leaves teams scrambling in the second half of the campaign.

Still, we believe this is a squad with potential. The resilience they showed against Ikorodu City and Bendel Insurance suggests they are not entirely out of depth, but resilience must be paired with killer instinct. To recover momentum, Shooting Stars must begin turning draws into wins and close, narrow defeats into hard-fought victories. That means sharper finishing, better decision-making in transitions, and greater defensive discipline late in games.

We believe that if Aweroro and his men can make their home clash against Kun Khalifat FC the turning point, their season could still be salvaged. It is time for actions, not just intent, to define their campaign.

Did You Know?

1. Shooting Stars are one of only two Nigerian clubs to have reached the final of the CAF Champions League, losing to Zamalek in 1996.
2. The club was founded in 1950 and is officially known as Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).
3. The Lekan Salami Stadium, their home ground, was renovated and reopened in 2021 with a 10,000 capacity.<
4. Rivers United won the 2021/22 NPFL title, becoming the first Port Harcourt-based side to lift the league crown.
5. Ubong Friday, Rivers United’s match-winner, previously played for Akwa United and is known for his ability to score spectacular goals from open play.