Shooting Stars triumph in five-goal thriller as Remo Stars, Enyimba ease relegation fears

Tijani Al-Ameen scored an 89th-minute winner as Shooting Stars secured a dramatic 3–2 victory over Wikki Tourists on Sunday. The NPFL clash at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan produced a five-goal thriller, with the hosts claiming all three points to strengthen their push for a continental spot. Wikki Tourists fought back twice to level […]

Tijani Al-Ameen scored an 89th-minute winner as Shooting Stars secured a dramatic 3–2 victory over Wikki Tourists on Sunday.

The NPFL clash at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan produced a five-goal thriller, with the hosts claiming all three points to strengthen their push for a continental spot.

Wikki Tourists fought back twice to level the score, but the Oluyole Warriors delivered the decisive blow late in the game.

Sodiq Ibrahim gave Shooting Stars the lead in the 17th minute with a stunning strike. The forward controlled a pass before unleashing a 30-yard pile driver that flew past the goalkeeper to make it 1–0.

Wikki Tourists squandered a couple of clear chances before Abba Musa restored parity in the 35th minute. However, the hosts ensured they went into the break ahead as Emmanuel Lucky finished clinically a minute before halftime to make it 2–1.

The visitors continued to threaten after the restart and were rewarded in the 53rd minute when John Taiwo finished off a swift counterattack to level the score at 2–2.

But, just as they did against Rivers United in midweek, Nurudeen Aweroro’s side dug deep to snatch a late winner. Tijani Al-Ameen powered home a bullet header from a corner kick in the 89th minute to seal their ninth consecutive home victory.

The result moved Shooting Stars up to fourth position on the NPFL table with 47 points, level with third-placed Nasarawa United, who lost 2–1 to Remo Stars.

The victory lifted the Ikenne-based Remo Stars off the bottom of the table to 19th position, three points away from the relegation zone.

Relegation-threatened Enyimba also boosted their survival hopes, climbing to 15th place after a 2–0 win over Plateau United in Aba.

Meanwhile, second-placed Enugu Rangers earned a point in a goalless draw away to Kwara United, reducing Rivers United’s lead at the top of the table to one point.

RESULTS

Barau 2–0 Abia Warriors

Bayelsa United 2–1 Warri Wolves

Enyimba 2–0 Plateau United

Kwara United 0–0 Enugu Rangers

Niger Tornadoes 0–0 Kano Pillars

Remo Stars 2–1 Nasarawa United

Shooting Stars 3–2 Wikki Tourists