OYO STATE FA CUP
Cleds Williams | 24th, Feb. 2025
Shooting Stars Clinch 2025 Oyo State FA CUP Title
Shooting Stars emerged as the 2025 Oyo State FA Cup Champions after a hard-fought victory over Crown FC of Ogbomoso on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025. The final ended 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
The night belonged to Mustapha Lawal, the Black Spider, who pulled off two crucial penalty saves, securing the title for the Oluyole Warriors. Meanwhile, Mustapha Adam Agba’a’s ice-cold Panenka was a moment of brilliance that added to the spectacle of the night.
Road to Glory
Shooting Stars navigated a demanding path to the final:
Quarterfinals: Edged past non-league side Oye Olohun FC 1-0, thanks to Joshua Akpan’s 27th-minute goal.
Semifinals: A dominant performance saw Ilaji FC brushed aside 4-1, booking a spot in the grand finale.
It has been a relentless schedule for 3SC, playing four games in six days across both the NPFL and the Oyo FA Cup. Chief Coach Abimbola, who led the team through the FA Cup campaign, acknowledged the challenges:
“We have managed our schedule well amidst fatigue, and with our new players ineligible for the FA Cup, they have been training separately to be ready for the NPFL challenge.”
Having secured the Oyo FA Cup, Shooting Stars have now booked their place in the zonal stage of the President Federation Cup. Last season, they bowed out in the Round of 16 to eventual winners Elkanemi FC, and they will be aiming for a deeper run this time.
For now, the focus shifts back to the NPFL, where Shooting Stars will look to close the gap at the top of the table and maintain their strong position in the league.
