Barau Football Club will be aiming to return to winning ways when they welcome Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan in a crucial Matchday 12 encounter of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this weekend at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

The Maliya Boys, who are desperate to rediscover their winning touch, will approach the encounter with renewed determination as they seek to consolidate their position on the league table and keep their ambitions for a strong campaign on course.

Barau FC last recorded a league victory in Matchday 5 against Abia Warriors and have since endured a challenging run, particularly in front of their home supporters, where they have struggled to consistently convert their opportunities into maximum points. However, their impressive resilience on the road, where they have accumulated five points, remains a positive sign ahead of this important fixture.

Their recent goalless draw against Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna provided another opportunity to demonstrate their fighting spirit. Although the Maliya Boys would have preferred to return home with all three points, securing a valuable away point has further strengthened their resolve to bounce back against the Ibadan-based side.

However, standing in their way are the Oluyole Warriors, who appear to have rediscovered their confidence after a difficult start to the season. Shooting Stars have picked up seven points from their last three league matches, a run that has brought renewed optimism to their campaign.

Their emphatic 4-1 demolition of Abia Warriors in Matchday 11 will undoubtedly serve as a major confidence booster for the visitors, who will arrive in Kano with the ambition of extending their positive run and securing a favourable result against the Maliya Boys.

The Ibadan-based side will be banking on their attacking strength and recent resurgence to trouble the hosts, but Barau FC will be equally motivated to make home advantage count.

With the passionate Kano supporters expected to turn out in numbers at the Sani Abacha Stadium, the Maliya Boys will be counting on the backing of their home crowd to inspire a much-needed victory.

Beyond the three points at stake, the encounter represents an opportunity for Barau FC to make a statement, restore confidence and demonstrate that their recent struggles are only a temporary setback.

Interestingly, both teams have a history to settle following their two league meetings last season, in which Shooting Stars had the upper hand, claiming all six available points from the encounters.

The Oluyole Warriors will undoubtedly draw confidence from that record, but the Maliya Boys will be determined to rewrite the narrative and secure their first victory over the Ibadan side.

The importance of Sunday’s encounter is further heightened by the close standings between the two clubs, who are separated by just one point on the NPFL table.

Barau FC currently occupy seventh position with 16 points from 11 matches, while Shooting Stars sit in 10th position with 15 points from the same number of games.

A victory for the Maliya Boys would not only strengthen their position in the top half of the table but also provide an opportunity to break into the top four, depending on other results across the league.

With both teams having everything to play for, the encounter promises to be an intriguing contest between a Barau FC side hungry for a home resurgence and a Shooting Stars team eager to sustain its recent revival.

For the Maliya Boys, the mission is clear: three points, renewed confidence and a return to winning ways in front of their home supporters.

The Sani Abacha Stadium is set for an exciting NPFL showdown as Barau FC seek to dim the Oluyole Warriors’ ambition and restore their winning mentality in Kano.