Shooting Stars snatch stoppage-time win over Rivers United in rescheduled NPFL clash

Shooting Stars Sports Club secured a dramatic 2–1 victory over Rivers United in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League match at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex on Thursday. A late strike by Qamar Adegoke in stoppage time sealed the win for the Ibadan side in a tightly contested encounter. The fixture featured league leaders Rivers […]

Shooting Stars Sports Club secured a dramatic 2–1 victory over Rivers United in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League match at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex on Thursday.

A late strike by Qamar Adegoke in stoppage time sealed the win for the Ibadan side in a tightly contested encounter.

The fixture featured league leaders Rivers United, who were aiming to strengthen their position at the top of the table, against Shooting Stars, who were seeking to move closer to the continental qualification places.

Shooting Stars took the lead in the 34th minute when Sodiq Ibrahim rose highest to head home a cross from Ayobami Junior, giving the hosts a 1–0 advantage at halftime.

Rivers United responded in the 68th minute after a long throw-in disrupted the Shooting Stars defence, allowing Wasiu Falolu to guide a low finish into the far corner to level the score at 1–1.

With the visitors appearing satisfied with a draw, Shooting Stars pushed forward in search of a winner.

Their persistence paid off in the first minute of added time when Adegoke controlled a long ball from a deep free kick before calmly finishing at the near post to secure the decisive goal.

The result ended Rivers United’s unbeaten run against Shooting Stars in their previous four meetings, while the Ibadan club extended its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches.

Despite the defeat, Rivers United, coached by former Nigeria international Finidi George, remain top of the NPFL standings with 52 points, two points ahead of second-placed Enugu Rangers.

The victory lifts Shooting Stars to sixth place on the league table.