Former Shooting Stars coach, Nurudeen Aweroro has refuted claims that he was being induced by players at the club, allegations reportedly linked to the reasons the club relieved him of his duties before the start of the 2026/27 season.
Shooting Stars parted ways with the coach by mutual consent last Saturday after just one season in charge.
In his only season at the club, Aweroro guided the Ibadan side to a third-place finish in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League, ending a 27-year absence from continental club football and securing a place in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.
The club have since been drawn against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in the first round of the preliminary stage.
One of Aweroro’s assistants, Shakiru Lawal, was also affected by the shake-up alongside team manager Tammy Tamuno.
Featuring on a Yoruba sports programme, Gbagede Ere Idaraya, with Sola Aiyegbajeje in Ibadan, Aweroro refuted some of the allegations surrounding his exit.
“Any player who has said I used to take money from them should come forward with the evidence. If they are able to present any evidence, that means I am truly guilty.
“These are different from instances whereby players feel they should appreciate you with a token. There was even a time Qamar Adegoke was experiencing a goal drought. I prayed for him and charged him to score nothing less than 10 goals. He wanted to send money to me, and I told him to send it to the fans,” Aweroro said.
“I brought Alade Balogun from Ikorodu City, and I had to ask him in the midst of all the players if I had ever asked him for any financial favours or inducements before. He said no. That is a player that has been with me from Ikorodu City.
“You see these players, there are some among them that I give money to, and there are some that I buy boots for.”
Asked if he worked under difficult conditions, the coach noted that the job took a toll on him despite delivering the club’s continental ticket.
“Yes, I could say that. During my time at the club, my blood pressure was around 169, and the chairman, Taiwo Lekan-Salami, had ensured that I went to the hospital.
“At the hospital, I was given some medications to take and told to rest, but I told them I would not be able to rest until I won the battle, which was achieving the club’s target.”
Meanwhile, reports say Shooting Stars are exploring a deal to appoint former Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo as their next head coach.
The 57-year-old, who led Rangers to the NPFL title in 2016, is understood to be open to the possibility, although nothing has been decided yet as the process of reaching an agreement with his current employers, Abia Warriors, begins.
Former Super Eagles assistant coach Salisu Yusuf is also said to be a strong contender as the Oluyole Warriors hope to wrap up their search for a new coach.
Shooting Stars will face Inter Lagos in Ibadan in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 NPFL season on August 28 before taking on Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the first round of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie.
Credit: punchng.com
