Shooting Stars defeat Inter Lagos 2-1 in NPFL season opener

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) secured a 2-1 victory over newly promoted Inter Lagos in the opening match of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

Lucky Emmanuel opened the scoring for the Oluyole Warriors in the 14th minute. Inter Lagos responded quickly, with Adigun Damilare equalizing in the 22nd minute to score the club's first-ever goal in the top flight. Shooting Stars regained the lead just before halftime when Sodiq Ibrahim converted a penalty in stoppage time.

Despite a late opportunity for 3SC to extend their lead via a penalty by substitute Mustapha Adams, which hit the upright, the home side held on for the win. This victory marks the first opening-day win for Shooting Stars in four seasons.

Following the match, 3SC head coach Salisu Yusuf expressed confidence that the team will continue to improve as the campaign progresses. Separately, the Nigeria Football Federation announced the appointment of Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new NPFL Chief Operating Officer.