All attention will be on Ibadan this Sunday as the Week 22 NPFL match between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Sunshine Stars of Akure takes centre stage. It’s going to be an interesting one as a South Western derby.
Interestingly, they are both fighting to avoid the drop; perhaps it will be a good way to redemption for the home team.
Notably, this is about the first time in recent seasons that the build up to a similar fixture between two teams wouldn’t bring tension and apprehension beforehand. A peaceful meeting was brokered by Stakeholders earlier in the pre-season to address the often imbroglio and brouhaha that always ends Shooting vs Sunshine fixtures in the past; the two teams are seen as ‘brothers’ from the southwest; and on the pitch but with different tactics of excelling in their match situations.
Shooting Stars lost to Lobi Stars last week at the Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi by 3-0 so there’s no excuse for the Amoo Boys not to rise to the occasion this time around if they are serious about surviving the drop. Sunshine Stars in turn won against Enyimba at the Akure Township Stadium amidst no spectatorship due to crowd troubles.
However, the latest addition to the 3SC fold; the Beach Soccer star Abu Azeez joined the camp and his experience will come to bear as the Week 22 fixture draws closer. We announced Abu’s singing on our twitter handle @official3SC after getting the final clearance and waiver to sign the player from the LMC.
Similar fixtures last season ended 2-1 apiece at both Akure and Adamasingba, and this season, we lost 0-1 at the death in the first fixture. Our old players Adesina Thomas and Otegbeye Ajibola will be filling out for the Owena Boys so we expect a warm welcome from the fans.
With an underwhelming form having lost 4 in the last 5 matches, and the last two matches back to back, the Oluyole Warriors are expected to rise to the occasion. Both sides have a point to prove and will be eager to give their fans something to cheer. Shooting Stars have been in a closed camp and Fatai Amoo will be spoilt for choice as all players in camp are available for selection.
