The path to the national stage has been cleared for Shooting Stars and Crown FC, as both outfits officially secured their places in the preliminary round of the President Federation Cup. This progression follows their successful outings in the semi-final stage of the Oyo State Federation Cup, a competition that continues to highlight the depth of footballing talent within the region.
At the Olubadan Stadium, the senior Shooting Stars side—famously known as the Oluyole Warriors—triumphed over their own junior counterparts, Shooting Stars Team B, to ensure their presence in the next phase. Meanwhile, Crown FC confirmed their own advancement with a decisive 2-0 victory against Ibadan United, setting the stage for a high-stakes local showdown in the upcoming final.
The grand finale of the state-level tournament is slated for this Sunday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, located in the Adamasingba area of Ibadan. This weekend’s encounter offers a chance for redemption or repetition, as Shooting Stars enter the match as the reigning champions. In the previous edition of the tournament, the Oluyole Warriors managed to defend their title against Crown FC in a tense battle that required a penalty shootout to separate the sides. Following a stalemate during regulation time, Shooting Stars eventually emerged victorious with a 4-2 win from the spot.
As the two regional powerhouses prepare to face off once again, the focus remains on securing the state trophy before they shift their attention to the broader challenges of the national preliminary rounds.
