NPFL: Shooting Stars open NPFL season with victory over Inter Lagos
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season got off to an entertaining start as Shooting Stars defeated newly promoted Inter Lagos 2-1 in a keenly contested South-West derby.
Shooting Stars made a bright start to the encounter, with Lucky Emmanuel breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute. The forward capitalised on the opportunity to put the Oluyole Warriors ahead and give the home side an early advantage.
Inter Lagos responded just seven minutes later, drawing level in the 21st minute to ensure the visitors remained firmly in the contest. The newly promoted side showed composure after falling behind and quickly restored parity against their more experienced opponents.
The game remained evenly contested as both sides looked for another breakthrough before the interval.
Shooting Stars were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute, providing the hosts with an opportunity to regain their lead just before half-time. They converted from the spot to make it 2-1 and head into the break with the advantage.
Inter Lagos returned for the second half determined to find another equaliser, but Shooting Stars managed to withstand the pressure and protect their lead.
Despite efforts from the visitors to level the score, the Oluyole Warriors held firm until the final whistle, with the referee bringing the contest to an end after four minutes of added time.
The 2-1 victory gives Shooting Stars three points from their opening fixture and provides an ideal start to their NPFL campaign.
For Inter Lagos, the result marks a difficult introduction to top-flight football, but their response after conceding early offered encouraging signs. The newcomers showed character to level the game and remained competitive throughout the encounter.
The South-West derby provided an entertaining opening to the new NPFL season, with both sides contributing to a competitive contest that produced three goals and plenty of intensity.
Shooting Stars will now look to build on their winning start, while Inter Lagos will seek a positive response in their next fixture as they continue their first season in the NPFL.