Shooting Stars seeking record extending sixth win in a row as NPFL releases fixtures for second half of season

Shooting Stars of Ibadan ended the first half of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season extending their winning run to five games in a row and became the first team this season to do so.

The Oluyole Warriors, as the Ibadan side are called, also became the first side in the NPFL this term to win five games in a row without conceding a goal after defeating visiting Kwara United 1-0 in their final game (matchday 19) of the first half of the season.

Shooting Stars have won three of their home and two on the road in this incredible and will be gunning for a record extending sixth win in a row when they travel to Ilorin in the reverse fixture of their matchday 19 fixture when the NPFL resumes on the weekend of January 25-27, 2025.

Gbenga Ogunbote would definitely not be happy with the half-time break as his team were in a run and there are fears they may have lost the momentum.

Shooting Stars have not lost in their last two visits to Ilorin to face Kwara United. They drew 1-1 in Ovember 2023 after winning 1-0 seven months earlier. In fact, they have not lost since May 2022 when they were hammered 3-1.

The Oluyole Warriors are third on the log, just three points off leaders, Remo Stars who are away at Akwa United.

The Kunle Soname Boys defeated the Uyo based team 2-1 when both sides clashed in Ikenne last month and another win will ensure they keep their place at the summit of the log.

Meanwhile, defending champion, Rangers of Enugu will host Niger Tornadoes at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium and will be hoping for all three points again after winning 1-0 in Minna in the ‘first leg.’

The Flying Antelopes are fourth on the log with 31 points, just five points off Remo Stars and a win at the ‘Cathedral’ will ensure they keep pace in the title race.

NPFL debutants, Ikorodu City ended the first round with a narrow 2-1 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure in a Southwest derby. The Oga Boys are starting the second half of their first ever season in the Nigerian topflight with another Southwest derby, against the same time they ended the first round with.

A win can move them level on points and in fourth position with Rangers if results go their way.