Shooting Stars 2026/27: Season-Opener Hosts, New Coach Search

Shooting Stars 3SC have the honour of hosting the very first fixture of the 2026/27 NPFL season, welcoming newly promoted Inter Lagos to the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan on 28 August in a South-West derby-flavoured curtain-raiser.

Squad Reinforcements

3SC have been one of the more active clubs in the transfer market, bringing in midfielder Olakunle Akala from Kano Pillars, Abdulaziz Dalhatu from Niger Tornadoes, and Taheer Abubakar from Wikki Tourists. Akala, who has made more than 150 NPFL appearances in his career, could make his Shooting Stars debut in the season opener itself.

A Coaching Vacancy Before Kick-Off

Shooting Stars parted ways with technical adviser Aweroro on 9 August — less than three weeks before their opening fixture. That leaves the club needing to settle on a head coach in a very short window while also integrating three new first-team signings.

Why This Opener Matters

Being handed the season’s opening fixture puts 3SC in the spotlight before a ball is kicked anywhere else in the division. Doing so without a permanent technical adviser adds genuine uncertainty to how the newly assembled squad will actually line up.

FAQ: Shooting Stars 2026/27

Who do Shooting Stars play in their 2026/27 opener?
Newly promoted Inter Lagos, at home at the Adamasingba Stadium, on 28 August 2026 — the first fixture of the entire NPFL season.

Does Shooting Stars have a head coach for the new season?
Not confirmed as of the latest reporting — the club parted ways with technical adviser Aweroro on 9 August, just over two weeks before kick-off.

Shooting Stars Team Hub · Inter Lagos Team Hub

Sources: Daily Post Nigeria, Premium Times Nigeria, ACLSports.