Kwara United vs Shooting Stars clash lights up Ilorin

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) rescheduled Matchday 20 fixture between Kwara United and Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan (3SC) set Ilorin alight.

The match, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 25, was rescheduled to Wednesday, February 12, 2025 in a letter dated February 3, 2025, and signed by Davidson Owumi, the league’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The game will take place at 4:00 PM at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl of the Major General Agbazika George Innih Stadium, Ilorin.

Kwara United, coming from a narrow 2-1 loss to Ikorodu United over the weekend, will roll out their aces in the game that promises to be exciting, putting in mind the impressive run of the Ibadan soccer warlords.

Under Coach Gbenga Ogunbote, Shooting Stars has emerged as one of the best teams in the current campaign. They are second on the log with 40 points, eight points difference from the league leaders, Remo Stars.

Kwara United, who are 10th on the log with 29 points will be looking to secure a victory against their visitors who are yet to taste defeats in their last eight games.

Recall that the Coach Tunde Sanni-led Kwara United lost 1-0 to Shooting in the first leg of the game in December, ending the 2024 year in defeat. However, the return leg in Ilorin has become one of the most talked about game in the NPFL scene,giving its stakes.

Another interesting narrative that is expected to define the match is the scenario where players and coaches who have once wore the badges of both teams will now be taking on their former sides.

While Coach Tunde Sanni once played for Shooting Stars during his active years as a footballer, Coach Ogunbote has also in the past had stints with Kwara United. The likes of Ismaila Gata and Wasiu Jimoh who had in the past played for the Ibadan based side will also face the team in Kwara United’s colours.

The game may also see a return of Samuel Ayanrinde, the striker who played for Kwara United few seasons ago and now plies his trade with the Ibadan side