Shooting Stars Sports Club clinched a stunning 2–1 win over Rivers United in a rescheduled match of the Nigeria Premier Football League held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex on Thursday.
The decisive goal came from Qamar Adegoke in stoppage time, sealing the deal for the team from Ibadan in a fiercely contested match.
This encounter featured Rivers United, the league leaders, who were looking to assert their dominance at the top of the table, while Shooting Stars aimed to inch closer to the spots available for continental qualification.
Shooting Stars took the lead in the 34th minute, with Sodiq Ibrahim elevating to head in a precise cross from Ayobami Junior, handing the hosts a 1–0 advantage at halftime.
In the 68th minute, Rivers United equalized through Wasiu Falolu, who finished neatly into the far corner following a long throw-in that disrupted the Shooting Stars defense, leveling the score to 1–1.
As the game progressed, Rivers United seemed content to settle for a draw, prompting Shooting Stars to surge forward for a potential winning goal.
Their perseverance bore fruit in the first minute of added time when Adegoke skillfully controlled a long ball from a deep free kick and calmly slotted it past the goalkeeper at the near post, securing the critical goal.
This victory marked the end of Rivers United’s unbeaten record against Shooting Stars over their past four clashes, while the Ibadan club extended their unbeaten streak at home to 12 matches.
Despite the loss, Rivers United, under the guidance of former Nigerian international Finidi George, remain at the top of the NPFL standings with a total of 52 points, holding a two-point lead over second-placed Enugu Rangers.
With this victory, Shooting Stars ascend to the sixth position in the league standings.
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