By Qamar Adegoke once again stole the spotlight in the round 36 of the Nigeria Premier Football League after he came off the bench to secure a vital 3-2 victory for Shooting Stars against Nasarawa United on Sunday, May 3, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasigba, Ibadan.
This victory served as revenge for Shooting Stars, Oluyole Warriors, who had lost the reverse fixture 1-0 in Nasarawa. Both teams entered the match in high spirits; Shooting Stars were fresh off a 2-1 away win over El-Kanemi Warriors, while Nasarawa United had recently dismantled Warri Wolves 3-0.
Shooting Stars coach Nurudeen Aweroro made two changes to his starting lineup, handing starts to Jamiu Hamzat and Ayobami Junior. Interestingly, Adegoke remained on the bench despite having scored a decisive brace in their previous encounter against El-kanemi Warriors.
The match began with Nasarawa United squandering two early opportunities before the hosts took control. Lucky Emmanuel gave the Oluyole boys the lead in the 6th minute, heading home a precise cross from Ismail Ayodele. Emmanuel soon doubled the advantage with another header, this time from a corner assisted by Ayobami Junior. However, Nasarawa United pulled one back in the 40th minute through a Jofrank Istifanus header, leaving the score at 2-1 going into the break.
The game continued into the second half but the pace remained equal. Adegoke, the second-half substitute, was still finding his feet when Nasarawa levelled the scoring line in the 55th minute. Nasarawa United Habibu Alakija capitalised on a costly defensive error by Shooting Stars goalkeeper Godsgift Elkanema to slot the ball into an empty net.
Qamar Adegoke started making presence known in the 63rd minute when he was brought down inside the penalty area to earn his side a spot-kick. To the disappointment of the home fans, Adegoke’s effort struck the woodwork and flew off-target.
Redemption arrived fourteen minutes later. Working again with Ayobami Junior, Adegoke drove into the box and unleashed a strike from the left side. The Nasarawa goalkeeper was caught out by the direction of the shot, which sailed into the net to erupt the stadium in celebration. The match ended 3-2, securing three crucial home points for Oluyole Warriors.
This win moves Shooting Stars into third place on the league table as they battle Ikorodu City for a CAF Confederation Cup ticket. Ikorodu City, currently in fourth, will face Wikki Tourists on Tuesday, May 5, to keep pace in the continental race.
Adegoke’s impact as a substitute has become a defining feature of the season. He has now scored three goals in his last two appearances and nine goals total off the bench this campaign. His late heroics have consistently saved Shooting Stars, including his recent brace against El-Kanemi and vital goals against Rivers United and Bendel Insurance
Shooting Stars will remain at home to face Barau on Sunday, May 10. In the reverse encounter, the Oluyole Warriors edged Barau in a 1-0 narrow lead, courtesy of an early strike from Sodiq Ibrahim. However, Barau FC will enter the contest with momentum following a 3-0 thrashing of El-Kanemi Warriors today.
