Bayelsa United Triumphs Over Struggling Shooting Stars
Bayelsa United extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches across all competitions with a resounding 3-0 victory over a struggling Shooting Stars side at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa. The match, a Matchday 33 fixture of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season, saw the home side, nicknamed the Prosperity Boys, dominate from the outset. Their early pressure paid off in the 27th minute when Ifeanyi Ogba capitalized on a lofted pass from Wisdom Magbisa to open the scoring. Bayelsa United doubled their lead just before halftime, courtesy of a well-placed shot from Magbisa. The second half began much like the first, with Bayelsa United continuing their offensive onslaught. Just four minutes after the restart, Kehinde Malik extended the lead to 3-0, converting a cross from Ifeanyi. Despite several more chances, Bayelsa United couldn’t add to their tally, but comfortably maintained control for the remainder of the match, securing a well-deserved victory.
The victory propelled Bayelsa United to ninth place in the league standings with 45 points, just one point behind eighth-placed Enyimba and five points adrift of the continental qualification spots. The defeat for Shooting Stars compounded their recent woes, leaving them with only one win in their last ten league outings. While their 48 points kept them ahead of Bayelsa United in the standings, their goal difference now stands at just +1, a single goal ahead of their opponents on the night. The result highlights the stark contrast in form between the two sides, with Bayelsa United riding a wave of momentum while Shooting Stars continue to falter.
Shooting Stars’ loss to Bayelsa United represents the latest setback in a tumultuous period for the Ibadan-based club. The club has been embroiled in controversy and faced significant sanctions from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following serious security breaches during their recent Matchday 32 fixture against Ikorodu City. The NPFL imposed a hefty fine of N5 million on Shooting Stars and ordered the closure of their home ground, the Lekan Salami Stadium, to fans for the rest of the season. The sanctions stem from the club’s failure to provide adequate security, control their supporters, and prevent objects from being thrown onto the pitch and towards match officials. Further compounding their woes, Shooting Stars were ordered to pay N2 million in damages to Ikorodu City after their team bus was attacked.
The off-field turmoil at Shooting Stars has been further exacerbated by their expulsion from the 2025 President Federation Cup. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took this drastic step after discovering that the club had fielded ineligible players during their scheduled first-round tie against Zamfara United. Despite initially advancing to the round of 32 by walkover, Shooting Stars’ violation of player registration rules led to their disqualification from the tournament. This latest setback adds to the mounting pressure on the club, both on and off the field.
The combined weight of the NPFL sanctions, expulsion from the Federation Cup, and their declining on-field performance has plunged Shooting Stars into a profound crisis. The club’s passionate fan base is now prohibited from attending home matches, depriving the team of crucial support. Furthermore, their premature exit from the Federation Cup represents a missed opportunity to compete for silverware and potentially qualify for continental competitions. The challenges facing Shooting Stars are multifaceted and require urgent attention from the club’s management to restore stability and chart a path towards recovery.
The contrasting fortunes of Bayelsa United and Shooting Stars underscore the dynamic nature of the Nigeria Premier Football League. While Bayelsa United’s resurgence has injected renewed optimism into their campaign, Shooting Stars’ struggles have cast a shadow over their season. The two clubs now face diverging paths in the coming weeks. Bayelsa United will travel to Kaduna to face Niger Tornadoes, aiming to extend their unbeaten run and maintain their pursuit of a continental qualification spot. Meanwhile, Shooting Stars will host league leaders Remo Stars at the Lekan Salami Stadium, albeit behind closed doors, seeking to reverse their recent slump and salvage some pride from a season marred by controversy and disappointment.
