Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has officially announced a long-term partnership with global sportswear brand KELME, marking a major milestone in the club’s return to continental football and its broader development strategy. The collaboration, unveiled on Friday via the club’s official X handle, sees KELME become 3SC’s Official Sports Brand and Technical Kit Partner. Under the deal, KELME will supply custom performance kits for the club’s 2026/27 campaign across the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), CAF Confederation Cup, and FA Cup. The partnership also includes joint initiatives in technical development, youth academy growth, and international football opportunities.
The announcement comes as 3SC prepares for their second leg tie in the CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien. In the first leg played on September 5, 2026, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, 3SC secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a 25th-minute goal from Lucky Emmanuel. This continental return marks the club’s first participation in CAF inter-club competitions in 27 years. Their qualification was earned by finishing third in the 2025/26 NPFL season with 60 points, behind champions Rangers International and runners-up Rivers United.
3SC’s last continental outing was in 1999 when they competed in the CAF Champions League after winning the Nigerian league title in 1998. They reached the group stage before being eliminated. The club holds a proud legacy in African football history, having been the first Nigerian team to win a CAF competition — the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup in 1976. They also claimed the defunct CAF Cup in 1992 and were runners-up in the CAF Champions League in both 1984 and 1996, losing to Egyptian giants Zamalek in those finals.
This new partnership with KELME is expected to enhance 3SC’s on-field performance and visibility, especially as they aim to make a strong impression in the CAF Confederation Cup. The collaboration reflects the club’s commitment to modernising its operations and investing in sustainable growth. With KELME’s expertise in sports technology and design, 3SC hopes to elevate its brand presence both locally and internationally. As the club continues to rebuild and reassert itself on the African stage, this partnership signals a promising chapter in its storied history.
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