Shooting Stars FC has bolstered its squad with the acquisition of goalkeeper Elkanah Godsgift ahead of the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The 29-year-old shot-stopper finalized a two-year contract with the Ibadan-based club, commonly known as the Oluyole Warriors, following a four-year stint with Bayelsa United.
The transfer marks Godsgift’s latest move in a career spanning multiple NPFL sides, including previous spells at Abia Warriors, Katsina United, and Akwa United. With 65 league appearances since his professional debut, the goalkeeper brings a wealth of domestic experience to a reshaped squad under head coach Nurudeen Aweroro. His departure from Bayelsa United, confirmed after the 2024-25 campaign, follows a season where he maintained 11 clean sheets – his highest tally in a single term.
At Shooting Stars, Godsgift faces immediate competition for the starting role from established first-choice goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal, who kept 15 clean sheets last season. The positional clash highlights the club’s ambitions to strengthen its defensive options as it aims to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish. Aweroro, appointed in March 2025 to revitalize the team’s tactics, has emphasized competition within the squad as a key factor in preparations for the new season.
The goalkeeper’s signing aligns with broader NPFL trends, where teams increasingly prioritize proven domestic talent to balance squad depth and financial constraints. Former teammates have noted Godsgift’s command of the penalty area and reflexes in one-on-one situations – attributes that could prove vital as Shooting Stars compete across league and domestic cup competitions.
While no financial details were disclosed, the transfer underscores the growing competitiveness among mid-table NPFL clubs vying for continental qualification. Shooting Stars last won the league title in 1998 but has emerged as a consistent top-half contender in recent years. The club’s preseason training camp, set to begin next week in Oyo State, will provide the first opportunity for Godsgift to stake his claim in the new-look lineup.
As teams across Nigeria’s top flight finalize rosters ahead of the August kickoff, this move signals Shooting Stars’ intent to challenge traditional powerhouses like Enyimba and Rivers United. With Godsgift’s arrival adding depth to the goalkeeper position, supporters will watch closely to see if the team can convert preseason promise into sustained on-field success.
