Before criticising Governor Seyi Makinde over Shooting Stars’ inability to play its continental fixtures at the Lekan Salami Stadium, also known as Adamasingba, it is important to put the current situation in its proper historical context.
Since the return to democratic governance in 1999, Shooting Stars have experienced a prolonged decline in their fortunes, with the club’s standing and competitiveness fluctuating significantly from one administration to another. The argument about the condition or suitability of Adamasingba cannot therefore be separated from the much longer story of the club itself.
The historical record is particularly revealing. Shooting Stars’ last major period of continental relevance before the current generation dates back to the late 1990s. The club won the Nigerian league in 1998 and subsequently featured in the 1999 CAF Champions League, while also winning the 1998 West African Club Championship. Their broader continental record includes the 1992 CAF Cup title, the 1976 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph and appearances in the finals of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1984 and 1996.
That history matters because the question today is not simply whether Adamasingba meets CAF’s latest technical requirements. It is also about the broader sporting infrastructure and institutional support that has been built around Shooting Stars and sports in Oyo State over the years.
The Lekan Salami Stadium itself has a complicated history. Originally developed as part of the Adamasingba Sports Complex, the facility was opened in 1988 and later renamed after Chief Lekan Salami. It underwent a major renovation in 2021, including the installation of a FIFA-recommended natural-grass playing surface.
Under the Makinde administration, sports infrastructure has received significant attention, and the renovated stadium has continued to host major football activities. The facility remains Shooting Stars’ home ground for domestic competition, demonstrating that the stadium continues to serve an important role in Oyo football.
There is, however, an important distinction between a stadium being suitable for domestic league football and meeting the additional requirements imposed by CAF for continental matches. A club can therefore continue playing its national league fixtures at home while being required to use another venue for international competition.
That is the context in which Shooting Stars’ current continental situation should be understood. CAF’s approval process is based on specific infrastructure and operational standards, and the fact that Adamasingba was not among the venues cleared for the relevant continental fixtures should not automatically be interpreted as proof that the Oyo State Government has neglected sports.
Indeed, the bigger picture deserves consideration. Nigeria has numerous football grounds, but only a limited number meet the standards required for CAF inter-club competitions at any given time. Shooting Stars’ continental setback should therefore be discussed within the wider national infrastructure challenge rather than presented solely as an Oyo State problem.
For those who need the broader perspective, Shooting Stars’ present circumstances also reflect how far the club has travelled from its golden era. The club has not won a major trophy since the late 1990s, despite its illustrious history.
So, before turning the issue into another political argument against Governor Seyi Makinde, the question should be broader: what happened to Shooting Stars and Oyo sports across successive administrations since 1999, and what has changed in recent years?
Whatever position one takes politically, the facts should come first.
Shooting Stars remain capable of playing their national league matches on home soil, while continental competition operates under a separate CAF standard. Oyo State has also invested in sports facilities, with Adamasingba standing as one of the clearest examples of the rehabilitation of sporting infrastructure in Ibadan.
The disappointment of not hosting a continental fixture at home is understandable. But it should not erase the longer history of Shooting Stars’ decline, the club’s return to competitive relevance, or the investment that has gone into rebuilding sports infrastructure in Oyo State.
Criticism is legitimate. Context is equally important.
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