Shooting Stars and Inter Lagos will clash in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Friday (today), DAILY POST reports.
The Oluyole Warriors head into the new season on the back of an impressive third-place finish last term, a result that secured continental football for the club for the first time in 27 years.
They will aim to improve on their poor opening-day record in recent seasons.
Shooting Stars have won just once in their last five league openers, with three draws and one defeat.
There has also been a change in the dugout, with former Super Eagles assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf, taking over from Nurudeen Aweroro, who guided the club to their strong finish last season.
The squad has undergone changes as well, with Ismail Ayodele, Tijani Kabiru and last season’s leading assist provider, Ayobami Junior, among the notable departures.
Shooting Stars have strengthened with the arrivals of Taheer Abubakar, Kalu Nweke, Albert Kovarh, Tamuno Kalio, Issa Yusuf and Aule Johnmark.
Inter Lagos, meanwhile, will be hoping to make an immediate impact in their first season in the NPFL.
The Lagos club have already had a taste of what to expect from their hosts after holding Shooting Stars to a goalless draw in a pre-season friendly on August 4.
Head coach, Shakiru Biodun Giwa, is expected to retain the core of the squad that secured the club’s historic promotion to the top flight.
With Shooting Stars chasing a strong start and Inter Lagos eager to make their mark, Friday’s clash in Ibadan should provide an intriguing curtain-raiser to the new NPFL season.
(Daily Post)