Shooting Stars Sports Club finally got back to winning ways in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Matchday 22, sealing a narrow 1–0 home victory over Bendel Insurance at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Sunday.
In a tense encounter, both sides battled for control in a largely tactical first half. The breakthrough came in the 71st minute when substitute Qamar Adegoke rose to the occasion, calmly finishing to give the Oluyole Warriors maximum points. Adegoke’s strike ended Shooting Stars’ recent slump, following a 2–0 loss to Bayelsa United and sparked jubilant celebrations among the home fans.
The victory moved Shooting Stars up the NPFL table, reflecting renewed energy and patience in their play after a period without wins earlier in the season. Adegoke’s crucial contribution highlighted his growing importance for the club, especially as an impact substitute in key moments.
EDITORIAL
In the often unpredictable theatre of the NPFL, where tactical discipline and psychological resilience matter as much as flair, Shooting Stars’ 1–0 win over Bendel Insurance was a telling moment of character and patience. It was a fixture not defined by a late flurry of goals but by sustained determination and the capacity to seize opportunity when it arrived.
The breakthrough, Qamar Adegoke’s composed finish after rising from the bench was more than just a goal. It was a statement about timing and readiness how the touch of a substitute can recalibrate the balance of a contest that hung evenly for much of the afternoon. In leagues as competitive as Nigeria’s top flight, such contributions often distinguish those who scrape points from those who muster momentum.
For Shooting Stars, suffering a recent defeat could easily have deflated confidence. But the response sustained possession, tactical patience and clinical execution spoke to a group intent on rebuilding belief. In a season where every point carries weight, and where victories are both a relief and a revival, this win represented more than three points it was a reminder that resilience and readiness can yield reward.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Qamar Adegoke scored the only goal of the game in the 71st minute, coming off the bench to decide the clash.
- Shooting Stars’ win moved them up to sixth place on the NPFL table, earning a valuable 3 points.
- The match was played at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, the home ground of Shooting Stars SC.
- Bendel Insurance’s unbeaten run was ended by this result, with the visitors losing 1–0 in a closely fought contest.
- Earlier this season, Adegoke also scored as a substitute in Shooting Stars’ 3–0 win over Enyimba, showing his knack for key moments.
