Shooting Stars coach Salisu Yusuf believes his team will keep getting better after squeezing out a 2-1 victory against Inter Lagos in their first match of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season. The match took place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Friday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Shooting Stars began the new season on a positive note, narrowly defeating Inter Lagos in a first half that saw three goals and two penalties.
Lucky Emmanuel opened the scoring for the hosts in the 11th minute. He ran into the box to connect with a flick from a throw-in and then placed a low shot into the goalkeeper’s right corner.
Captain Uchenna Njoku brought Inter Lagos level midway through the first half. He scored their first-ever NPFL goal with a simple finish into an empty net. This came after a great run and a precise pass from Adigun Damilare.
The visitors' excitement was short-lived. They gave away a penalty just before half-time, and Sodiq Ibrahim converted it to put Shooting Stars back in the lead.
In the second half, scoring chances were hard to come by. Substitute Qamar Adejoke added some energy for the hosts and won another penalty late in the game. Unfortunately, fellow substitute Adams Mustapha hit the post and missed the chance to score.
Shooting Stars managed to hold on for the win, collecting all three points and starting the new NPFL season on a high note, which pleased their new coach.
“It’s step by step. I think we will play better than this with every match. We’ve been together for a short time, and we have this result. If we have one month, you can imagine what to expect,” Salisu said after the game.
“They will continue to improve. That is my belief.”
Now, Shooting Stars will focus on their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round match against Tunisian team CS Sfaxien next week in Abeokuta.
For Inter Lagos, their attention will turn to their first home NPFL match against Doma United next weekend.
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