Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) returned to winning ways on Wednesday with a convincing 2-0 victory over Katsina United in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday Five encounter at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan.
The Oluyole Warriors produced a dominant display in front of their home supporters, controlling the tempo of the game from the opening whistle and punishing a Katsina United side that struggled to cope with their relentless attacking pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when striker Ridwan Olanrewaju found space inside the visitors’ defence and calmly slotted home, sending the packed stadium into celebration as 3SC took an early lead.
Despite falling behind, Katsina United attempted to respond and enjoyed brief spells of possession later in the first half. However, the visitors found it difficult to penetrate a disciplined Shooting Stars backline, allowing the hosts to head into the break with their slender advantage intact.
The contest tilted further in favour of the Ibadan-based side shortly after the restart when Katsina United were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute. The dismissal followed a foul on Olanrewaju as the forward surged toward goal in what appeared to be a dangerous attacking move.
With a numerical advantage on their side, 3SC intensified the pressure and made a series of tactical changes to maintain their momentum. Head coach Salisu Yusuf introduced Akintola Damilola, Qamar Adegoke and Aule John in a triple substitution that injected fresh energy into the attack.
The move paid off handsomely.
In the 71st minute, substitute Qamar Adegoke put the result beyond doubt, finishing off a well-worked attacking move to double Shooting Stars’ lead and effectively end Katsina United’s hopes of a comeback.
The second goal sparked loud celebrations among the home faithful, who filled the stadium with chants and drumming as their team marched confidently toward all three points.
Speaking after the match, Shooting Stars coach Salisu Yusuf expressed satisfaction with his players’ response following their defeat to Plateau United in the previous round.
He said the victory reflected the progress his team was making as they continued to improve and address mistakes identified in recent matches.
According to Yusuf, the club remains focused on securing a continental ticket at the end of the season.
He expressed confidence in the quality of his squad, insisting that the team possesses the talent and determination needed to achieve its ambition if the players maintain their commitment throughout the campaign.
For Katsina United, head coach Azeez Mohammed admitted that conceding an early goal and losing a player significantly affected his team's performance.
The coach described the defeat as a difficult setback but noted that such challenges are part of football. He assured supporters that the team would analyse its mistakes, regroup and focus on securing a positive result in its next home fixture.
The victory lifts Shooting Stars' morale after their recent disappointment on the road, while Katsina United will be left searching for answers after another frustrating outing away from home.
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