As Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) prepares for a return to continental football in 2027, an intriguing question is once again stirring conversations among Nigerian football enthusiasts: Is there a mystical connection between the Salami family and the club’s success on the African stage?

The question may sound fanciful, but the historical record provides enough evidence to make even the most sceptical observer pause.

For more than half a century, the fortunes of Shooting Stars and the Salami family have appeared remarkably intertwined, particularly when it comes to continental triumphs.

That fascinating relationship was the focus of the weekend’s edition of “90 Minutes with Mathematical”, the popular radio programme hosted by Nigerian football legend and former Shooting Stars player, Segun Odegbami.

Chief Olalekan “Lekan” Salami, the legendary football administrator and philanthropist, whose passion for the game shaped Nigerian football for nearly four decades. Closely identified with Shooting Stars Sports Club, Salami remained a towering influence in the club’s affairs until his death in March 1988, on the eve of a crucial meeting concerning his beloved team. Today, his legacy endures through the stadium in Ibadan that proudly bears his name.

Odegbami hosted the breakfast conversation with Yomi Salami, one of the sons of the late Chief Olalekan Sanusi Salami, the iconic football administrator whose influence on Nigerian football remains profound nearly four decades after his death.

Chief Olalekan Sanusi Salami was one of the towering figures of African football from the 1960s until his passing in March 1988.

Widely regarded as one of the founding architects of Shooting Stars International FC, he played a pivotal role in shaping professional football in Nigeria and helped transform Ibadan into one of the country’s foremost football centres.

His impact extended beyond administration. He nurtured and mentored generations of footballers, among them Odegbami himself, who would go on to become one of Nigeria’s greatest players.

Salami’s crowning achievement came in 1976 when Shooting Stars won the African Cup Winners’ Cup, becoming the first Nigerian club to capture a continental title.

That victory was a watershed moment for Nigerian football, proving that local clubs could compete successfully against Africa’s finest.

A Curious Pattern Emerges

What followed over the next several decades has become part of Shooting Stars folklore.

In 1992, four years after Chief Salami’s death, his eldest son, Yomi Salami, joined the club’s board. That same year, Shooting Stars won the CAF Cup, securing their second continental trophy.

Six years later, another son, Owolabi Salami, served on the club’s board. In 1998, Shooting Stars added the WAFU Cup to their growing collection of honours.

Now, history appears poised to offer another intriguing chapter.

Following an impressive campaign, Shooting Stars have qualified for continental competition in the 2027 season. Coincidentally—or perhaps not, depending on one’s perspective—the club is currently chaired by Taiwo Salami, yet another son of the late football benefactor.

The timing has inevitably revived memories of previous triumphs and prompted speculation among supporters about whether another continental success could be on the horizon.

Coincidence or Legacy?

For many followers of Nigerian football, the recurring connection is difficult to ignore.

Each time a member of the Salami family has occupied a position of influence within the club, continental silverware has followed.

Whether this is merely a coincidence, the result of strong football management, or a testament to a family tradition deeply rooted in the culture of the club remains open to interpretation.

What is beyond dispute is that the Salami name continues to command enormous respect within Shooting Stars and throughout Nigerian football.

The family has maintained its association with the club across generations, preserving a legacy established by a man who devoted much of his life to football development.

Beyond the Salami-Shooting Stars story, the programme will also examine the resurgence of government-owned clubs in Nigerian football.

For years, privately funded clubs appeared to be gaining dominance in the domestic game. However, traditional government-backed sides such as Shooting Stars have shown renewed competitiveness, reclaiming their place among the country’s elite teams.

The discussion is expected to explore whether this resurgence represents a sustainable trend and what it means for the future of club football in Nigeria.

Awaiting Another Chapter

As Shooting Stars prepare to test themselves once more against Africa’s best clubs, supporters will be hoping that history repeats itself.

The club’s three major international titles have all arrived during periods when the Salami family occupied influential positions within its leadership structure.

With Taiwo Salami now at the helm and continental football beckoning once again, the stage is set for another chapter in one of Nigerian football’s most enduring and intriguing relationships.

Whether destiny, coincidence or simply the continuation of a proud family tradition, the connection between the Salamis and Shooting Stars remains one of the game’s most fascinating stories.

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Morocco concluded their preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Norway in an international friendly on Sunday, showing flashes of attacking quality before being forced to withstand late pressure from the Europeans.

The Atlas Lions made a bright start and took the lead after just seven minutes through star forward Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid attacker capitalised on space outside the penalty area to unleash a powerful strike that gave Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland no chance.

The goal marked Diaz’s first for Morocco since the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer despite the disappointment of missing a penalty in the final.

Morocco looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages and nearly doubled their advantage midway through the first half. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli connected with a teasing cross from Diaz but sent his volley narrowly off target.

The North Africans continued to threaten after the break. Diaz again tested the Norwegian defence in the 57th minute, forcing Nyland into a save before midfielder Neil El Aynaoui headed the rebound over the crossbar.

While Morocco controlled large portions of the contest, Norway gradually grew into the game and mounted sustained pressure in the closing stages. Their persistence paid off 15 minutes from then when captain Martin Odegaard finished neatly with his left foot after a clever run and assist from Oscar Bobb.

Norway almost snatched victory late on, but Kristian Thorstvedt’s header from Julian Ryerson’s free-kick drifted narrowly wide, allowing Morocco to preserve the draw.

Despite surrendering their early lead, the result offers several positives for coach Walid Regragui ahead of Morocco’s opening World Cup Group C fixture against Brazil in New York on Saturday. The Atlas Lions demonstrated their attacking threat through Diaz while also showing resilience under pressure as they defended resolutely in the closing minutes.

With Brazil, Haiti and Scotland also in Group C, Morocco will take encouragement from another competitive performance as they prepare for one of the toughest opening assignments of the tournament.

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Morocco have received an early boost ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener against Brazil after the South Americans lost their only specialist right back, Wesley, to injury.

The AS Roma defender was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a left thigh muscle injury during Brazil’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Sunday that medical examinations revealed damage to the adductor muscle in Wesley’s left thigh, forcing him to withdraw from Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad.

His absence leaves Brazil with a significant selection headache ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Morocco. Wesley was the only natural right back in the squad, meaning Ancelotti may now have to rely on makeshift options such as versatile defenders Danilo and Ibanez to fill the position.

“The MRI scan revealed a muscle injury to the adductor muscle in his left thigh,” the CBF said in a statement.

“The CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player much loved by the squad and will always be considered part of this team as it seeks to win its sixth World Cup title.”

Brazil have moved quickly to replace the injured defender, calling up Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is expected to join the squad in the United States on Monday.

For Morocco, the development could offer a tactical advantage as the Atlas Lions prepare to face the five-time world champions in what is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the group stage.

The North Africans, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and continue to be regarded as one of the strongest teams outside Europe and South America, will be looking to exploit any defensive uncertainty on Brazil’s right flank.

Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title, are grouped alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C. The opening encounter between Morocco and Brazil is expected to play a key role in determining the eventual group winner.

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