There’s a little extra edge in the way Shooting Stars are talking about this weekend’s trip to Lagos. Al-Ameen Tijani, one of their defenders, didn’t hide it: they’re on a bit of a revenge mission. Not dramatic revenge — more like the quiet, determined sort you see when a team knows it dropped something it should have kept.
A short recap: Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City met earlier in the season in Ibadan and ended up sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw. That result left a taste of unfinished business for the Oluyole Warriors. Now, heading into matchday 23 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos, Tijani says the squad wants the full three points. Simple as that. Yet the way he said it felt firm, and — if I’m honest — a little personal. Players often say they’re ready; Tijani sounded like he meant it.
Why this one matters It isn’t just another matchup on the calendar. Partly it’s about league position, of course — you want the points, you need momentum — but it’s also about pride. Shooting Stars have a strong identity and a history of expecting to win at home and to be competitive on the road. Getting a victory in Lagos would feel like putting a lid on a small disappointment from earlier in the season. That draw at home is the kind of result that lingers. You remember it during training, you talk about it in the locker room. So there’s motivation beyond points: a desire to fix the record, to correct a missed chance.
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Tijani’s role and what it tells us As a defender, Tijani’s words carry a defensive perspective. When a defender speaks about getting points back, it often signals a team that believes in building from the back. So I’d expect the Warriors to be disciplined, a bit cautious early on, perhaps letting Ikorodu have the ball and testing the flanks on the counter. But then again, teams change plans from week to week; I could be wrong. Maybe they’ll push high and force the issue. The point is, Tijani’s comment suggests confidence and focus, which are two things that matter in tight matches.
What to watch for on matchday
- Set pieces. When margins are small, corners and free-kicks become decisive. If Shooting Stars have worked on their deliveries and marking, that could be the key.
- Midfield control. Whoever owns the midfield will often dictate tempo. If Shooting Stars can stifle Ikorodu’s creative players, they’ll limit chances against them.
- Mental sharpness late in the game. That’s where revenge often takes shape — staying calm, finishing chances, and not conceding sloppy goals.
A modest prediction — but it’s just a thought I’m not a prophet. Still, considering Tijani’s tone and what’s at stake, I’d expect Shooting Stars to be proactive without being reckless. Maybe a 2-1 win? Or a 1-0 if they keep it tight. The important part isn’t the exact scoreline, it’s that they look determined and play like a team that believes it can close what it started.
The human bit: pressure and motivation Teams are collections of individuals with routines, anxieties, little superstitions maybe, and occasional frustrations. Players talk about wins and losses differently when something feels like unfinished business. I can picture the training ground this week: focused drills, a few extra set-piece sessions, maybe a coach pacing and repeating a point more than once. It’s small things that add up. Tijani’s words hint at that atmosphere — professional, yes, but also mildly tense in the way that comes before something important.
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Ikorodu City won’t make it easy. It’s worth saying that Ikorodu City isn’t a walkover. They earned that draw in Ibadan and will be keen to prove they belong in the conversation. Home advantage can do strange things; the Lagos crowd will be a factor. If Shooting Stars underestimate them, that old draw could repeat itself. But the message from the Oluyole Warriors’ camp is clear: they won’t be content to repeat the past. They want to take the points.
A bit of realism — football is messy. Even with determination and a solid plan, matches don’t always go as expected. Injuries, refereeing calls, a lucky deflection — any number of small things can tilt a game. So while it’s fine to be optimistic about Shooting Stars’ chances, it’s also okay to accept unpredictability. That kind of tension is actually what makes these fixtures interesting.
Final though:t Tijani’s statement was short, but it carried weight: they’re ready, they want the full points, and they’re treating the match as a chance to correct a previous slip. Whether they win by dominating or grinding out a narrow scoreline, what matters to them is sealing the deal in Lagos. For fans, it’s a chance to see a team respond. For the players, it’s an opportunity to turn a past draw into a present victory.
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