By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 4, 2026
Qamar Adegoke scored his 10th goal of the season on Sunday, rising to the occasion with the winner as Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle was on ground to watch Shooting Stars SC’s 3-2 win over Nasarawa United, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Chelle has opened the door of the national team to top players in the Nigeria Premier Football League and uncapped Nigerian players abroad ahead of the tournament billed for May 26 to 30.
The Unity Cup is an invitational tournament played outside the FIFA international window, and Nigeria will defend the title they won last year against India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe.
In Ibadan, Chelle was treated to a spectacle as the two teams locked horns in a potential continental ticket decider.
Shooting Stars needed a win to move above the Solid Miners, and the day started well with Lucky Emmanuel’s brace giving them a 2-0 lead inside the opening half hour.
JoFrank Istifanus, however, pulled one back for Nasarawa United before half-time, while Habibu Alakija levelled matters in the 57th minute.
Adegoke, who is also a former Nasarawa United player, had the final say in the encounter, netting the winner in the 77th minute and moving Shooting Stars to third place on the table with 57 points after 36 matches.
The goal took his tally to 10, placing him among the contenders for the highest goalscorer award with two games to go.
Interestingly, nine of his goals this season have come from the bench. He has now scored six goals at home and four away as a key part of Shooting Stars’ rebuilding process.
The player also spoke about his desire to play for Nigeria.
“My ambition is not just to play the game, but to master it — to become a player well known for intelligence on the ball, resilience under pressure and commitment to growth every single day. I want to represent my club and my country with pride, earn recognition through hard work and eventually compete at the highest level of European football,” he told PUNCH Sports Extra.
Despite their modest ambitions this season, Shooting Stars could consider themselves overachievers if they secure a CAF Confederation Cup ticket, and the striker is poised to help them achieve their objective.
“I hope to help my club achieve our target this season, which requires a combination of individual commitment, teamwork and discipline. I understand the team’s target this season, and we are on it. I’m sure we will reach our objective.”
Up next for Adegoke and Shooting Stars is a trip to Niger Tornadoes.
Meanwhile, Chelle is also expected to watch Ikorodu City vs Wikki Tourists on Tuesday to watch other prospects.
Source Punch Ng
Posted May 4, 2026
You may also like...
Afcon Qualifier: Ghana End Group C Campaign In...
Fernando Hierro leaves job as Spain coach
NWFL moves Super 4 to October
Liverpool Continue March To Premiership Title With Tough...
Battle to buy Man Utd heats up as...
Ronaldo set to miss Sociedad game

Falcons learnt from Malawi defeat, says Alozie
We will make Nigerians proud – Nnadozie
Celebrating Kanu Nwankwo: A True Nigerian Football Legend
Okowa hails Amusan, Enekwechi after Glasgow medals
Portable loses celebrity boxing rematch to Okocha after ring walkout
Commonwealth Games: Australia widens lead as Nigeria stays fifth on medal table
Commonwealth Games: Nigeria ranks ninth on all-time medals table
Ex-Milan legend Baresi dies at 66
Morocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot
Asian football confederation joins UEFA, CONCACAF in opposing FIFA investment plan
Okocha, Portable set for chaos in the ring clash today
Malawi loss wake-up call – Madugu
Rangers International going, going . . . (64,000 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,351 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,247 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,849 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,731 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,602 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,495 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (52,005 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,223 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,693 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,175 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,557 views)