Supporters of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) have expressed disappointment and frustration following reports that the club may be unable to host its CAF inter-club competition home matches at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, due to concerns over the facility’s suitability for continental football.
The development, which has generated widespread reactions among football enthusiasts in Oyo State, is expected to see the Oluyole Warriors adopt Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, as their temporary home ground for continental fixtures if the reports are confirmed.
For many supporters, the prospect of watching the club play its historic continental matches outside Ibadan is a painful reality, especially after standing firmly behind the team throughout the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Fans argue that the qualification for continental football should have been an opportunity for Ibadan residents to witness top-level African club football once again in the ancient city. Instead, they fear they may now have to travel outside the state to support the team they passionately followed throughout the campaign.
The situation has renewed criticism of the Oyo State Government over the condition of the Lekan Salami Stadium, despite the huge public investment reportedly committed to its reconstruction and rehabilitation in recent years.
Many supporters questioned how a stadium that reportedly consumed billions of naira in renovation costs could still fall short of the standards required to host both domestic and continental matches.
According to several fans, the issue is not merely about the quality of the rehabilitation but also the apparent lack of proper maintenance after the project was completed.
Some supporters also faulted the decision to allow the stadium to host political gatherings and other non-sporting activities at periods when they believe greater attention should have been paid to preserving the quality of the playing surface.
They argued that excessive use of the pitch for activities unrelated to football may have contributed to its deterioration, ultimately affecting its ability to meet professional standards.
The latest development has also brought back memories of an earlier sanction by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), which declared the stadium’s playing surface unsuitable for league football and directed Shooting Stars to temporarily relocate their home fixtures until necessary improvements were carried out.
At the time, football stakeholders described the condition of the pitch as disappointing, considering the scale of investment made in the facility.
Supporters now fear that history may be repeating itself on a bigger stage, with the club facing the possibility of playing continental home matches outside Oyo State.
Beyond the loss of home advantage, many fans believe relocating to another state would have financial and emotional implications for loyal supporters who may be unable to travel regularly to watch the club compete.
It was also noted that home support has traditionally been one of Shooting Stars’ greatest strengths, with the passionate Ibadan crowd often providing the atmosphere that inspires the team during crucial matches.
Many supporters have therefore called on the Oyo State Government and relevant football authorities to urgently address the stadium’s deficiencies and ensure that the facility meets the required standards for future competitions.
They insist that a city with the rich football heritage of Ibadan deserves a stadium capable of hosting both domestic and continental football without recurring concerns over its playing surface or infrastructure.
