Ikorodu City moved up to third place in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings after a narrow 1–0 win against Shooting Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. The lone goal came early in the contest when Joseph Arumala netted in the second minute, capitalising on a rebound after the Shooting Stars goalkeeper saved a long-range effort
Both teams went into the match level on 35 points after 22 games, knowing that a victory would propel the winner into the upper reaches of the table. Ikorodu City created several opportunities throughout the game but were unable to extend their lead, while Shooting Stars struggled to break down their defence.
The result marked Ikorodu City’s 10th win of the season, helping them leapfrog their rivals in a closely contested league race. Elsewhere on Matchday 23, Warri Wolves defeated defending champions Remo Stars 1–0 in Ozoro, while Kun Khalifat also secured a narrow 1–0 win over Kwara United.
Matches between Bendel Insurance and Barau FC and Bayelsa United versus Niger Tornadoes both ended in stalemates.
Editorial
In the tapestry of the NPFL season, matches like Ikorodu City versus Shooting Stars may not command the global spotlight, yet they speak volumes about the evolving narrative of Nigerian football a league increasingly defined by strategic nuance, razor-thin margins and quiet, uncelebrated mastery.
This South-West derby a clash steeped in regional pride and historical rivalry delivered neither spectacle nor scoreline laden with goals, but it offered something arguably rarer context. From the early minutes, Joseph Arumala’s instinctive finish set the tone for a fixture that would hinge not on flair, but on resolve. A strike in the second minute is not merely a statistic, it is a psychological assertion a statement that Ikorodu City intended to seize momentum and impose their rhythm.
Yet football, even at domestic level, is rarely so linear. Shooting Stars, a club whose rich legacy in Nigerian football is intertwined with the dreams of generations, have stumbled in recent campaigns. Their inability to unlock this Ikorodu defence spoke to deeper fissures tactical indecision, perhaps, or the lingering weight of expectation that comes with wearing the famous blue and white. And so late into this January afternoon, the match’s significance lay not in its solitary goal, but in what it represented two clubs at crossroads, daring to redefine themselves in a league where every point exacts its price.
For Ikorodu City, the ascent into third place is more than a momentary table position it is affirmation of a project taking shape, of collective belief that consistency can occasionally eclipse pedigree. Their fans, long accustomed to relegation battles and mid-table obscurity, now dare to dream of continental horizons. This is the NPFL’s sinew — where narratives of resurgence can germinate on any given Thursday, under floodlights that have witnessed both jubilation and heartache in equal measure.
Did You Know?
- Ikorodu City FC only gained promotion to the NPFL in 2024, making their rise into the top three particularly rapid for a newly promoted side.
- Shooting Stars SC, based in Ibadan, is one of Nigeria’s oldest football clubs, originally founded in 1950 as WNDC Rangers.
- The Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos was named after the first military Governor of Lagos State and has hosted several memorable NPFL encounters.
- Warri Wolves’ win over Remo Stars on Matchday 23 continued a worrying trend for the reigning champions, who have struggled to defend their title this season.
- Kun Khalifat’s victory over Kwara United marked a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the club, breaking a long winless run.
