Former Ikorodu City Boss Takes Over in Ibadan

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) have officially announced the appointment of Nurudeen Aweroro as the new head coach of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side.

The unveiling ceremony took place on Friday in Ibadan, marking the beginning of a new era for the Oluyole Warriors.

In an official statement released on the club’s social media platforms, Shooting Stars wrote:

“OFFICIAL: Nurudeen Aweroro is the new Head Coach of Shooting Stars SC.

A CAF Licensed tactician with experience from Remo Stars, MFM FC & Ikorodu City, Coach Aweroro is set to lead the Oluyole Warriors to glory. Welcome to Ibadan, Coach!”

Aweroro replaces Gbenga Ogunbote, whose exit was confirmed earlier in the week.

He assumes managerial duties immediately as part of a broader restructuring plan initiated by the club’s new management—an effort geared toward restoring 3SC’s legacy as one of Nigeria’s most respected football institutions.

A seasoned tactician, Aweroro made his mark at Ikorodu City FC, where he took over mid-season following a poor run of form under Felix Ozebagbe.

Under his leadership, the team made a strong comeback and finished fourth in the Nigeria National League (NNL)—a notable feat in their debut campaign.

Members of Coach Aweroro’s backroom staff have already resumed duties in Ibadan as preparations begin for the upcoming season.

With this appointment, Shooting Stars have signaled their intent to build a competitive side and reclaim their place at the top of Nigerian football.

Meanwhile, Ikorodu City FC are expected to announce a replacement for Aweroro as they prepare for their next campaign.

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Some past and present Super Eagles stars have returned to the NPFL over the last two years

Former Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has rubbished talks that he will join Nigeria Professional Football League club Rivers United for next season.

Over the last two years, past and present Super Eagles players have returned to the NPFL, something which was not common in previous years.

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa joined boyhood club Kano Pillars alongside national teammate Shehu Abdullahi.

Super Eagles 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hero Brown Ideye also linked up with former champions Enyimba last season.

Recently, there have been talks that Ogu would join in. Recall that the 37-year-old has been without a club since his contract at Israeli club Kabilio Jaffa expired last year.

As such, there have been talks that he will join Rivers United for the 2025/26 NPFL season.

However, Ogu has now come out to debunk the speculations. He shared a screen-muched picture of a report of him in negotiations with Rivers United and wrote, “I never spoke to anyone and nobody ever spoke to me about joining any team in NPFL.”

Ogu’s reply definitely means that the chances of him joining any NPFL club next season is extremely low.

What is the situation with the Super Eagles stars in the NPFL?
The top active Super Eagles stars played in the NPFL last season － Brown Ideye, Shehu Abdullahi, and Ahmed Musa. However, the status of all three is not clear going into the new season.

Ideye parted ways with Enyimba at the end of last season, and he has not been linked with any other club since then.

Meanwhile, Musa has been named the General Manager at Kano Pillars, so it is unclear if he will play next season or he will stick to administrative work. Abdullahi was also very inconsistent with the team last season, so his commitment for next season is also in the balance.

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Ikorodu City FA, the developmental sister team of Ikorodu City FC, have etched their name into the footballing history books after earning a sensational promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) for the 2025/2026 season.

The Lagos-based side clinched their spot with a convincing 4-1 victory over Franceez in a decisive playoff match, overcoming Magic Stars on goal difference to seal promotion.

The match began with a moment of concern for Ikorodu FA as Franceez’s Gabriel Kennedy struck early in the 5th minute to give the opponents an unexpected lead. However, that was the only bright moment for Franceez, as Ikorodu FA quickly responded with purpose and dominance.

Wallie Kammok restored parity in the 51st minute, setting the tone for an inspired comeback. The game’s intensity grew with yellow cards shown to Ezeaka Chiemere of Ikorodu and Franceez duo Samuel Jacobson and Bernard Odey, highlighting the high stakes and competitive edge of the fixture.

Ikorodu FA took full control in the second half. Ibifugara Dagogo fired home in the 62nd minute to give them a 2-1 lead, before Franceez’s woes deepened with an unfortunate own goal from defender Azeez Abubakar in the 70th minute.

With Franceez chasing shadows and Ikorodu FA playing with confidence, the icing on the cake came in stoppage time as Famoyegun Michael netted the fourth goal in the 94th minute, sparking wild celebrations from players and supporters alike.

The result, combined with a superior goal difference over Magic Stars, guaranteed Ikorodu City FA’s promotion—marking a remarkable achievement for a club that has steadily grown as a feeder system to its senior team, Ikorodu City FC.

“This is more than just a promotion—it’s a statement of the club’s ambition and the hard work behind the scenes,” said a team official after the final whistle.

The triumph not only brings NNL football back to Ikorodu for the coming season but also reinforces the area’s reputation as a growing hub for talent development in Nigerian football.

With promotion secured, attention will now turn to preparations for the 2025/2026 NNL campaign, where Ikorodu City FA will aim to continue their impressive rise through the football ranks.

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