Shooting Stars Return to Continental Football After 27-Year Absence

Shooting Stars S.C. has officially secured a return to continental football for the first time in 27 years following the conclusion of the Nigeria Premier Football League season.

Before the turn of the millennium, the Oluyole Warriors were among Nigeria’s regular representatives in African club competitions.

The Ibadan-based side last won the Nigerian league title in 1998 and subsequently featured in the 1999 CAF Champions League. Since then, the club has remained absent from the continental stage.

Despite suffering an away defeat to Niger Tornadoes F.C. in Minna on Sunday, Shooting Stars managed to retain third position on the NPFL table after Ikorodu City F.C. suffered a surprise home defeat to Rangers International F.C.

The outcome confirmed Shooting Stars’ qualification for continental football next season, marking a major milestone for the historic club and its supporters after nearly three decades away from African competition.

The achievement represents a significant step in the club’s resurgence and restores one of Nigeria’s most traditional football institutions to the continental stage.