Shooting Stars Sports Club make their way to Kano for a high-stakes fixture against Kano Pillars FC in Matchday 8 of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season. The match is set for Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the iconic Sani Abacha Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 PM. CURRENT FORM AND MOMENTUM Shooting Stars arrive in good form following a morale-boosting 1–0 home victory over Plateau United on Matchday 7. The result marked the third win of the campaign and reflected a team steadily growing in confidence under Head Coach Nurudeen Aweroro. The side has found a better balance in recent weeks, combining defensive solidity with intelligent build-up play through midfield. Backed by a crowd of 6,251 supporters at the Lekan Salami Stadium last weekend, belief continues to swell within the camp. A positive result in Kano would not only add to the momentum but also strengthen the team’s credentials as one of the most disciplined sides in the early stages of the season. Kano Pillars, meanwhile, are aiming to maintain their reputation as a formidable side at home. Despite some recent inconsistencies, they remain strong at the Sani Abacha Stadium and are always well-supported. Head Coach Evans Ogenyi will be looking to guide his team back to winning ways and reassert their presence in a comfortable tier of the league table. HEAD TO HEAD HISTORY The last ten league meetings between both sides have produced a mix of outcomes, with neither team maintaining prolonged dominance: • Shooting Stars wins: 5 • Kano Pillars wins: 4 • Draws: 1 Most recently, Kano Pillars claimed a 3–1 victory over 3SC in May 2025, but the Oluyole Warriors had the upper hand in both meetings earlier in the year, including a 2–1 away win in April and a 2–0 home win in December 2024. TEAM NEWS AND SELECTION Shooting Stars are expected to name a largely unchanged squad from the Matchday 7 triumph. Goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal retains his spot following an assured display, while key performers such as Kabir Tijani, Ismail Ayodele, and Ayobami Junior are available and likely to feature prominently once again. Alex Aghahowa continues his recovery and is closest to returning among the injured quartet. Coach Aweroro will have the benefit of continuity and tactical flexibility, giving him the option to adapt to the challenge posed by Kano Pillars’ direct and physical approach. For the hosts, the presence of seasoned campaigners will be key. Captain Ahmed Musa brings leadership and attacking threat, while midfield veteran Rabiu Ali remains pivotal in dictating tempo. Defender Mohammed Mukhtar and goalkeeper Abuchi are also expected to start, providing structure at the back. TACTICAL OUTLOOK AND FINAL THOUGHTS Matches between Shooting Stars and Kano Pillars have historically been tightly contested, with both teams known for their competitive edge and loyal fan bases. The outcome often hinges on midfield battles and styles of play which has been witnessed in recent games. For 3SC, staying disciplined, organized and compact while exploiting spaces during transitions could prove decisive and converting chances will prove the difference. Kano Pillars, on the other hand, will look to assert dominance early with their direct style and experienced core in their fold. A good result in Kano would mark a significant milestone for Shooting Stars, showing confidence and focus in competing consistently away from home. MATCH DETAILS Kano Pillars vs Shooting Stars SC Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Sunday, October 12, 2025 4:00 PM

It is a full cast of fixtures this matchweek in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and another blockbuster Sunday also awaits us with mouthwatering matches that will see bragging rights, form and pride at stake. The race for points tightens across 10 stadia this gameweek as focus will fall on Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Lafia, Katsina, Lagos, Umuahia and Bauchi where the big guns and struggling sides will vie for honours. Despite the campaign being in the early stage, every point matters for all 20 clubs. UNBEATEN STREAKS AT STAKE Enyimba and Rivers United start this matchweek as the only unbeaten sides. Second-placed Enyimba will face new boys Kun Khalifat FC who return to their Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri for the first time this season after the ground underwent repairs. The People’s Elephant are favourites to get a result in this contest in a stadium that has become a familiar place for them. Last season Enyimba won 3-1 against Heartland, who were relegated to the second tier and the new boys will be wary of that. Rivers United, with a game in hand, have been untouchable at home in the NPFL in their last 16 matches. They face off-form Bayelsa United in the Niger Delta Derby and every odds points to Finidi George’s men being favourites to win this considering both teams’ form guide in recent games. SHOOTING STARS FACE BIG TASK IN KANO Kano Pillars like the other big sides have not enjoyed a cruising start to the season but somehow they have scratched out slim wins at home against Rangers and Kwara United. That now represents a task for Nurudeen Aweroro and his men to take up when they face Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday. Aweroro’s 3SC have equally shaken off a lethargic start to the campaign by winning their last three matches and will hope they can keep that form going against Sai Masu Gida. This rivalry is expected to throw up fireworks as both teams are known for their attacking flair. It is guaranteed to also be a tight contest. NASARAWA UNITED AIM TO STAY TOP The Solid Miners know that another win this Sunday will continue to keep them at the top of the table. This is also one of the standout matches this gameweek as Mbwas Mangut’s side have been solid at home and in their last five meetings with Rangers in this corresponding fixture, Nasarawa United have won all five. However, Rangers cannot be written off just yet as they have started finding their rhythm. The Flying Antelopes are unbeaten in their last three matches (W2 D1) with Godwin Obaje playing a central figure, scoring four times in those last three games. Obaje goes into this gameweek as the man in form. CITY & INSURANCE IN LATE KICKOFF As usual when Ikorodu City play at home these days, we are guaranteed a late kickoff of night football at the Water Front in Onikan, Lagos. Last season, Bendel Insurance were swept away 3-0 in this same fixture with City producing three different goalscorers in Rivio Ayemwenre, Kelechi Onwe and Toheeb Ajeyigbe in a second half blitz. Insurance are now under interim head coach, Baldwin Bazuaye after the suspension of Greg Ikhenoba for poor run of results in recent matches. Interestingly, both teams have managed just one win apiece since the start of this campaign, and they will want to bounce back wins. Other matches will see the champions Remo Stars go up north to face Katsina United. The champions might line up a side that will mean giving some of their big names rest ahead of the CAF Champions League game against South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns but that should not play down their free-flowing style. Abia Warriors will be keen to stay within touching distance of the top-three when they host El-Kanemi Warriors while Warri Wolves will aim for back-to-back wins after a 1-0 success at Barau FC last matchday. Newcomers Barau FC head to Jos to face Plateau United in what is deemed a Herculean task, and in Bauchi, one of the promoted sides, Wikki Tourists face Kwara United after four matches without a win. At the end of the late kickoff in Lagos on Sunday we will know who takes the spotlight in this matchweek. MATCHDAY 8 FIXTURES Sunday, October 12, 2025 Katsina United v Remo Stars Abia Warriors v El-Kanemi Warriors Rivers United v Bayelsa United Warri Wolves v Niger Tornadoes Plateau United v Barau FC Wikki Tourists v Kwara United Kano Pillars v 3SC Kun Khalifat FC v Enyimba Nasarawa United v Rangers Ikorodu City v Bendel Insurance (5:30pm)

The rivalry in the South-South takes stage this Sunday when Rivers United play hosts to Bayelsa United in another chapter of the Niger Delta that promises to produce sparks at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. Rivers United under the coaching management of former Super Eagles star, Finidi George, will start this matchweek unbeaten and will be buoyed by that strong start to the season as well as be eager to make their strong advantage at their home ground count. ‎‎On the other hand, O‎Bayelsa United will be aiming to end their frustrating run of form in which they have now gone five games without a win, a spell that has left them under pressure to respond and reignite their brilliant start to the season when they won their first two matches against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Barau FC without conceding. ‎‎Bayelsa United’s run has since teetered between draws and defeats, leaving them two points above the drop zone this early moments of the the campaign. However, their recent meetings with Rivers United have been impressive as they have won all three past head-to-heads. ‎‎But that could count for nothing this Sunday considering Rivers United’s strength in depth and dominance at their Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, where they have won all of their past 11 home matches in the NPFL. ‎‎For Bayelsa United to thrive or take something away from the Garden City, the keys lie in finding sharper finishing in attack and cutting down errors at the back. Their forwards must take responsibility in front of goal, while the midfield will need to impose control to disrupt Rivers United’s rhythm. The Prosperity Boys defeated the Pride of Rivers both home and away last season and with pride, points, and will feel they can re-enact that again. Surely this fixture presents Bayelsa United with both a challenge and an opportunity. A result in Port Harcourt could transform their season’s narrative.

The race for early-season momentum continues as four clubs, Rangers, Abia Warriors, Kano Pillars,and Kwara Utd take centre stage this midweek in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). All eyes will turn to Enugu and Kano for another round of action as Rangers play hosts to Abia Warriors in the Oriental Derby while Kano Pillars go up against Kwara United this Wednesday. Both venues promise thrilling encounters as teams battle to strengthen their positions on the log and build momentum heading into the weekend fixtures. THE ORIENTAL DERBY IN ENUGU At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Abia Warriors will hope to continue on the back of their impressive 1-0 win over the weekend at Kwara United. Warriors will have to be at their best against a Rangers side that are gradually growing into the campaign after a stuttering start to the season. Imama Amapakabo’s side will hope history will be good to them having won five of their last head-to-head NPFL meetings with Rangers (W5 L2). Warriors will start this game in third place and a win will help them leapfrog their city rivals, Enyimba into second place but that can only be halted by Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men who will also be eyeing a win in order to climb into the top half of the table. STRUGGLERS MEET IN KANO On the other hand, Kano Pillars go into their fixture with Kwara United in bottom place though they have two outstanding matches. Sai Masu Gida have managed just one win in five (W1 D1 L3), picking just four points in five matches. Kwara United have not done any better as they have taken eight points from 18. However, the Harmony Boys now under interim coach, Ashifat Suleiman, are unbeaten in their last three head-to-head NPFL meetings with Kano Pillars (W2 L1). But Kwara United are yet to score on the road this season. Evans Ogenyi’s side are expected to throw everything at Kwara United as they seek to climb out of bottom place ahead of their weekend match against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). Both midweek fixtures will be streamed live on NPFL-Live powered by Propel Sports from 4pm.