The stage is set for another exciting Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) clash as Shooting Stars host Plateau United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Sunday, 6 October, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00PM (WAT). The Peace Boys head into this fixture looking to bounce back from a controversial 2-1 defeat away to Kwara United in midweek, while 3SC will aim to build consistency after a mixed start to the campaign.
Plateau United – Seeking Redemption on the Road
After back-to-back home wins against Remo Stars (2-0) and El-Kanemi Warriors (1-0), Plateau United’s momentum was halted by that loss in Ilorin, which saw a disputed second goal allowed to stand. Head Coach Shola Adegun has urged his side to put the setback behind them and show resilience in Ibadan.
“The team gave everything in Ilorin, but sometimes football can be cruel. We must now focus on this game against Shooting Stars, because every point matters. We’ve shown at home what we can do; we’ve also shown away what we can do. We will take the good and the bad and build on the positives in Ibadan,” Adegun said.
Plateau United’s squad has been boosted by the return of Wisdom Ndon, Mubarak Usman, Kalu Samuel, Mustapha Abdullahi, Gideon Monday, Friday Apollos, Daniel Aboh, and Sam Pam, while goalkeeper Domnan has been drafted into camp to replace Favour Bala. With a busy schedule ahead, Adegun emphasized the importance of squad depth and rotating effectively.
Shooting Stars – Still Searching for consistency at home
Unlike last season, when the Lekan Salami Stadium was a fortress, Shooting Stars have not been as dominant at home this term. They lost their opening home fixture, drew the next, and only narrowly edged past their most recent opponent in Ibadan. However, the Oluyole Warriors will still fancy their chances in front of their fans, especially after their encouraging away victory against Warri Wolves.
Recent Head-to-Head
The last six meetings between Plateau United and Shooting Stars have been tight affairs:
02 Feb 2025 – Plateau United 1-1 Shooting Stars
2024 – Shooting Stars 1-1 Plateau United
2024 – Plateau United 0-0 Shooting Stars
2023 – Shooting Stars 2-1 Plateau United
2023 – Shooting Stars 3-2 Plateau United
2023 – Plateau United 3-3 Shooting Stars
2022 – Shooting Stars 2-1 Plateau United
2022 – Plateau United 3-1 Shooting Stars
Overall in the last six clashes, there have been 4 draws, 1 home win for Plateau United, and 1 home win for Shooting Stars- highlighting just how evenly matched these two teams have been.
Storyline to Watch
This game is more than just another NPFL fixture. For Plateau United, it’s a chance to quickly recover from the controversy in Ilorin and prove they can compete away from Jos. For Shooting Stars, it’s about correcting their inconsistent home form and showing they can still make Ibadan a difficult place for visitors. With both sides close in the table, Sunday’s clash promises pride, passion, and plenty of drama.