Enyimba End Year on High with 3–0 Derby Win Over Shooting Stars

Enyimba FC wrapped up the first half of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season in commanding fashion, cruising to a 3–0 victory over Shooting Stars SC at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Matchday 19.

Goals from Chinedu Ufere, Adelowo Gbolagade, and Eddidiong Ezekiel either side of halftime secured all three points for the People’s Elephant, rounding off the year with one of their most convincing performances of the campaign.

With this derby win, Enyimba not only asserted local bragging rights but also injected momentum into their season as they head into the mid-season break a statement result against a historic rival that again showcased their attacking depth and cohesion.

Editorial

In the shifting sands of the NPFL, where fortunes oscillate week by week, Enyimba’s 3–0 triumph over Shooting Stars was more than a scoreline it was a narrative reset. After intermittent spells of inconsistency earlier in the season, this performance stood out for its clarity of purpose and clinical execution against a rival with its own proud pedigree.

From the opening whistle, Enyimba played with maturity and intent. Chinedu Ufere’s early breakthrough set a tone of control, which Adelowo Gbolagade and Eddidiong Ezekiel then amplified with their own decisive finishes. There was cohesion in their build-up play and sharpness in the final third, a combination that had occasionally eluded them in tighter contests earlier this season.

But it’s more than just tangible goals that matter here it’s the momentum that Enyimba have generated at a crucial juncture. Football is a psychological sport as much as it is physical and tactical confidence gained from a comprehensive win before a break can be the springboard teams need to elevate the second leg of their campaign. In this derby, Enyimba did more than beat an opponent they rekindled a sense of direction.

Shooting Stars, historically another heavyweight of the Nigerian game, were left chasing shadows for large portions of the match. The margin of victory reflects not just scoring efficiency but defensive organisation a hallmark of sides that push for consistency in the NPFL’s unforgiving environment.

As the league pauses, Enyimba will reflect on this result as evidence that their best football is emerging when it matters most. In a league marked by parity and unpredictability, finding form late in the first half can have ripple effects deep into the title race or continental qualification hunt.

Did You Know?

1. Bagging a Derby This 3–0 win over Shooting Stars continues a recent trend in which Enyimba have frequently had the upper hand in head-to-head NPFL encounters, with Enyimba historically winning more of their past meetings.
2. Goal Spread Enyimba’s three goals in this match came from different types of play — early opener, composed midfield strike and late finish showcasing scoring variety.
3. Momentum Builder The victory helped Enyimba close the first half of the season on a high ahead of the NPFL mid-season break, giving them confidence going into crucial January fixtures.
4. Shooting Stars Struggles Despite their long history in Nigerian top-flight football, Shooting Stars have found consistent goal production difficult this season before this heavy defeat.
5. Derby Significance Matches between Enyimba and Shooting Stars are considered one of the key encounters in the NPFL due to both clubs’ histories and fan support across different regions.