In a commanding display of football prowess, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) roared back to form, defeating El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri with an emphatic 3-0 win at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex. The Ibadan-based side, led by Coach Gbenga Ogunbote, rebounded from their previous loss to Niger Tornadoes, delivering a thrilling performance that halted the unbeaten run of their northern rivals.
The Oluyole Warriors seized control early, with Samuel Ayanrinde opening the scoring in the 26th minute. Rising to meet a precise cross from Gideon Monday, Ayanrinde’s header sailed past the Warriors’ keeper, igniting the crowd. Just 11 minutes later, Aliyu Abubakar doubled the lead with a stunning strike from a challenging angle, sending 3SC into halftime with a solid 2-0 advantage.
Determined to maintain their momentum, Coach Ogunbote made a strategic substitution in the second half, introducing Mustapha Adams for Ayanrinde. Adams wasted no time, capitalizing in the 62nd minute with a well-placed shot that left El-Kanemi’s goalkeeper helpless, sealing the victory with a third goal.
El-Kanemi Warriors attempted to respond through controlled ball distribution, but Shooting Stars’ defense, anchored by Gali Falke, Muritala Taiye, Desmond Ojietefian, and Alex Aghahowa, held firm. Goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal confidently commanded the backline, keeping a clean sheet and denying the visitors any chance of a comeback.
With this victory, Shooting Stars now hold 15 points from 11 matches, climbing to 10th place on the league table. Next, they face a crucial South West derby against league newcomers Ikorodu City in Lagos this weekend.
