By Olanrewaju Agiri
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) capped a remarkable campaign by emerging as winners of the NPFL Supporters Club of the Year Award for the 2025/26 season, while also securing the League Bloggers Award (LBA) for Fans of the Season.
The double recognition reflects the extraordinary commitment, passion, and loyalty demonstrated by the club’s supporters throughout the campaign.
The Oluyole Warriors enjoyed one of their strongest seasons in recent years, finishing third in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings and remaining among the league’s most competitive sides until the closing weeks of the season. However, beyond the performances on the pitch, the energy and dedication of the supporters became one of the defining stories of the campaign.
Week after week, fans transformed the atmosphere at the Lekan Salami Stadium into one of the most vibrant matchday experiences in Nigerian football. Their colourful displays, coordinated chants, unwavering attendance, and passionate backing both at home and away fixtures helped reinforce Shooting Stars’ status as one of the country’s most passionately supported clubs.
Reacting to the achievement, club officials led by Hon. Taiwo Lekan-Salami acknowledged the crucial role supporters played in motivating the team and fostering a positive environment around the squad.
“The recognition as NPFL Supporters Club of the Year is particularly significant because it celebrates organisation, dedication, and positive fan engagement. Throughout the season, Shooting Stars supporters consistently demonstrated unity and commitment to the club’s ambitions,” Hon. Taiwo Lekan-Salami said.
He added that the supporters’ contribution extended beyond the terraces, helping to strengthen the bond between the team, the city of Ibadan, and the wider football community.
The League Bloggers Award for Fans of the Season further highlights the growing influence of the Shooting Stars fanbase. The award recognises supporters who consistently generate excitement around the league, promote their club positively, and contribute to the growth of Nigerian football through engagement both inside and outside stadiums.
“These achievements belong not only to the supporters’ leadership but also to the thousands of fans who stood behind the team through victories, draws, and difficult moments,” the 3SC chairman noted.
Also reacting, the club’s Chief Operating Officer, Bunmi Fadayomi, described the supporters’ impact as invaluable.
“One of the clearest indicators of the supporters’ influence was the massive turnout at home matches. Throughout the season, reports highlighted record-breaking ticket revenues and impressive attendances at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, demonstrating the strength of fan support behind the club,” Fadayomi said.
“Their recognition as both NPFL Supporters Club of the Year and League Bloggers Award Fans of the Season confirms that the Shooting Stars faithful remain among the most influential and passionate supporters in Nigerian football,” he added.
As the club prepares for another campaign, these awards serve as further proof that the spirit of Shooting Stars extends far beyond the players on the pitch. The supporters have once again shown that they are a vital part of the club’s identity, helping to drive the Oluyole Warriors to greater heights while setting a benchmark for fan culture across the NPFL.
