NPFL 2026/27: Gyang Makes History as Shooting Stars Beat Inter Lagos in Opener
Lucky Emmanuel Gyang scored the first goal of the 2026/27 NPFL season as Shooting Stars defeated newly promoted Inter Lagos 2-1 in the opening-day Southwest derby in Ibadan.
Shooting Stars made a winning start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season, edging Inter Lagos 2-1 in an entertaining curtain-raiser at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Friday.
Gyang opened the scoring in the 11th minute to make history as the first goalscorer of the new NPFL campaign, giving the Oluyole Warriors an early advantage.
Inter Lagos, making their return to Nigeria’s top flight after securing promotion, responded through Adigun Damilare, who levelled the contest in the 22nd minute.
Shooting Stars restored their lead before half-time and held on firmly after the restart to secure the first three points of the 2026/27 campaign.
The result gives Shooting Stars an early boost as they prepare for a demanding season that will also see them represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup.
For Inter Lagos, the defeat was a setback, but their performance offered encouraging signs ahead of their first full NPFL campaign.
Abdulrahaman Named New NPFL COO
Meanwhile, the new NPFL season has opened with a major administrative change, following the appointment of Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as the league’s new Chief Operating Officer.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced Abdulrahaman’s appointment on Friday, with the decision taking immediate effect.
The appointment followed the NFF’s directive of Thursday, August 27, for Board Members, Chief Executive Officers of the various leagues and Chief Operating Officers who are not members of NFF staff to vacate their positions.
Abdulrahaman holds a doctorate in sports administration and has extensive experience in football organisation and administration, having worked across Nigeria’s various league structures.
His arrival marks another significant development in the ongoing restructuring of Nigerian football administration.
As action begins on the pitch, the NPFL also enters a new administrative chapter, with Abdulrahaman now tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the country’s top-flight league.
