In a move that has sparked outrage across Nigeria’s sporting community, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has directed Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to relocate its home matches from the iconic Lekan Salami Stadium—a decision that not only undermines the club’s identity but risks further alienating supporters just as interest in the league begins to rekindle.
For decades, Shooting Stars has been one of Nigeria’s most storied football clubs, with a loyal following that fills the Lekan Salami Stadium on match days—a fan base whose numbers have been steadily growing following years of stagnation in the NPFL. Their home crowd isn’t just attendance—it’s culture, history, and heart. But the league’s latest directive threatens to undo that momentum.
🎯 What Exactly Happened?
On January 30, 2026, the NPFL issued an official communication to 3SC, stating that the Lekan Salami Stadium pitch was deemed unsuitable to host league matches—primarily because it failed to meet the minimum standards required for broadcast quality and television rights obligations.
The decision means that Shooting Stars must now choose between alternative venues such as MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta or Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos—choices that are geographically and culturally detached from Ibadan, the club’s home base and the heartland of its passionate supporters.
This is not the first time LSS has been under scrutiny. Less than three years after its renovation, the stadium was previously flagged for needing pitch repairs, along with several other NPFL venues across the country.
📊 The Consequences Are Already Showing
Football lovers who once drifted away from the NPFL began re-engaging with the league largely because of Shooting Stars’ resurgence. Evidence of this renewed interest is visible not only in packed stadiums during home matches but also in the club’s growing digital engagement and social media interactions. This kind of grassroots excitement matters—especially for a league that has struggled for fan loyalty and broad spectator attention.
Removing the team from its home base risks undoing that progress and sending a message that tradition, community, and fan passion take a back seat to bureaucratic standards.
🏟️ A Stadium Worth Saving
Lekan Salami Stadium is more than just a venue; it’s a symbol of Ibadan’s rich football heritage. Built in 1988 and later rehabilitated in 2021, the stadium has been the bedrock of Shooting Stars’ home advantage—and one of the few iconic sporting structures in southwestern Nigeria.
Yes, the pitch may not be perfect—but neither are the facilities of many other NPFL clubs. Stadium neglect, poor maintenance, and infrastructure decay are rampant across the league, not unique to Ibadan. If the standard of sports grounds were the sole criterion, several other teams would find themselves stripped of home advantage as well.
⚖️ Was This the Right Call?
If the NPFL’s concern were purely about quality and safety, a warning or timeline for improvements would have been reasonable. But everything about this decision feels rushed and disproportionate—especially considering the economic and emotional stakes involved.
The NPFL is supposed to be the flagship of domestic football in Nigeria—a competition that unites fans, showcases talent, and attracts commercial investment. Yet when one of its most popular clubs is effectively exiled from its home stadium, it sends a worrying signal: that the league values form over substance and governance over fans.
🧠 The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
This isn’t just about a patch of grass on a football pitch. It’s about direction and priorities.
1. Fan Engagement Is the Lifeblood of Football
Losing home matches means fewer fans at the stadium, less energy in the stands, and diminished local media coverage. Football thrives on passion; remove the atmosphere, and the game becomes just… another broadcast.
2. Identity Is Not Easily Transferred
Abeokuta and Lagos might be alternative venues in a logistical sense—but they are not Ibadan. They’re not the city of the Oluyole Warriors. They don’t carry the same emotional resonance for Shooting Stars supporters.
3. NPFL’s Reputation Is On the Line
The league has suffered fan disengagement for years. In many quarters, the NPFL is viewed as a competition rife with operational mishaps, violence at games, inconsistent officiating, and infrastructure neglect. The decision to evict Shooting Stars from its stadium only adds to those criticisms.
4. Lack of Strategic Vision
Instead of providing a clear, realistic plan to bring the stadium up to standard and allow Shooting Stars to keep playing at home, the NPFL has passed the problem back to the club. In a league that already struggles with funding and organization, this reflects a broader failure to support its member clubs.
📣 What Should Happen Next?
The NPFL board and stakeholders should immediately consider a more collaborative approach:
Set Clear deadlines and support plans for stadium improvements rather than abrupt bans.
Work with state governments and private sponsors to rehabilitate LSS to acceptable standards.
Engage fans and communities in constructive dialogue before unilateral decisions that alienate core supporters.
Football is not just a sport in Nigeria—it’s culture, pride, and livelihood for millions. The NPFL has a responsibility not just to enforce regulations but to grow the game, nurture its fan base, and ensure clubs have the tools to thrive.
🏁 Final Whistle
Taking Shooting Stars out of the Lekan Salami Stadium does more harm than good—for the club, for the league, and for Nigerian football’s credibility. Instead of deterring fans, the NPFL should be building bridges between supporters and the league.
Because no amount of rules, fines, or relocation orders can replace the roar of 20,000 passionate fans inside their home stadium.
And in the end, football without fans is just a game without a heartbeat.
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