By Our African Correspondent
LAGOS — It was a night where the stars didn’t quite align for Ibadan’s finest, as Shooting Stars (3SC) were left wandering in the dark following a clinical 2-0 defeat at the hands of a relentless Kun Khalifat.
While the Shooting Stars arrived with the pedigree, it was the hosts who played like the true constellations of the NPFL.
The “Oluyole Warriors” usually pride themselves on their ability to outshine any opposition, but at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, their light was well and truly extinguished by a Kun Khalifat side that refused to follow the script.
The match began with Shooting Stars looking to assert their dominance, but they soon found themselves caught in a gravitational pull they couldn’t escape.
The first blow landed in the 24th minute when James Ekebuike—the man rapidly becoming the North Star of the Khalifat attack—slotted home after a defensive lapse.
Shooting Stars tried to find their rhythm, searching for that spark of creative magic that has defined their season.
However, every time they looked ready to ignite, they were met by a Khalifat midfield that acted like a black hole, swallowing up possession and nullifying every threat.
Any hopes of a second-half comeback for the Ibadan giants were dashed just thirteen minutes after the restart.
Timilehin Olukotun turned provider, finding T. A. Ameen, who made no mistake in doubling the advantage in the 58th minute.
From that point on, it was a case of managing the clock.
Kun Khalifat didn’t just win the game; they controlled the universe within the four corner flags.
For Shooting Stars, it was a long journey home under a night sky that felt a little emptier.
MATCH STATS:
Goals: Ekebuike (24′), Ameen (58′)
Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium
Result: Kun Khalifat 2 – 0 Shooting Stars.
