Match Report: Shooting Stars SC vs Bendel Insurance

MATCH REPORT

Shooting Stars 1–0 Bendel Insurance FC

Shooting Stars SC claimed a hard-fought 1–0 home victory over Bendel Insurance FC at the Lekan Salami Stadium, sustaining momentum in the second stanza of the NPFL 2025/26 season.

First Half: Early Probing, No Breakthrough

The match opened at a brisk pace, with both sides probing early. Sodiq Ibrahim had the first sight of goal in the opening minute but fired wide. Ayobami Junior created an opening in the 3rd minute but could not find a teammate in the box. Two minutes later, Sodiq was again denied following a throw-in from Utin.

A brief scare followed in the 7th minute when Mustapha Lawal went down injured, but the goalkeeper recovered and continued. Lucky Emmanuel and Tijani Kabir linked up on several occasions, though efforts in the 27th and 30th minutes failed to trouble the goalkeeper. Awosanmi Promise earned a free kick in the 32nd minute and later delivered a corner in the 39th minute, but Bendel Insurance dealt with the danger.

The first half ended goalless, with both teams showing intent without finding a breakthrough.

Second Half: Pressure and the Decisive Moment

The lads resumed the second half with sustained intensity. Tactical changes arrived on the hour mark as Tunde Azeez and Qamar Adegoke replaced Alex Aghahowa and Lucky Emmanuel to inject fresh energy.

The substitutions almost had an instant impact. Qamar forced a double save from the Bendel Insurance goalkeeper in the 65th minute as pressure mounted. Persistence eventually paid off in the 71st minute when Qamar Adegoke broke through the defence to score the decisive goal.

Game Management and Final Push

Further changes followed as Joshua Akpan replaced Sodiq Ibrahim in the 82nd minute. Deep into stoppage time, Ayobami Junior and Awosanmi Promise made way for Ekeocha Chukwudi and Desmond Ojietefian to help manage the closing stages. Mustapha Lawal produced a vital save in the 89th minute to deny Bendel Insurance a late equaliser.

Full-Time: Three Points Secured

Shooting Stars displayed patience, discipline and tactical maturity throughout the contest. Bendel Insurance proved stubborn opposition, but the Oluyole Warriors’ persistence and well-timed substitutions secured all three points.

Attention now shifts to Lagos, where we face Ikorodu City in the next NPFL fixture on Thursday January 29th, 2026 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.