3SC CHAIRMAN DEFENDS MANAGEMENT, EXPLAINS AWERORO’S EXIT AND BACKS SALISU YUSUF AMID POOR FORM

NAIJASPORTAINMENT BLOG

TUESDAY, 13TH OCTOBER 2026

3SC CHAIRMAN DEFENDS MANAGEMENT, EXPLAINS AWERORO’S EXIT AND BACKS SALISU YUSUF AMID POOR FORM

Honourable Taiwo Lekan Salami insists there is no crisis within the management or technical crew, identifies players’ lack of confidence as a major concern, and promises improvement.

IBADAN, OYO STATE — Executive Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Honourable Taiwo Lekan Salami, has defended the club’s management and technical crew amid growing concerns over the team’s performances in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

Speaking during an interview on Talota, a sports programme on Splash FM 105.5 in Ibadan, hosted by Olawale Hamzat, popularly known as Top Striker, Salami addressed several issues surrounding the Oluyole Warriors, including the departure of former head coach Nurudeen Aweroro, the position of current coach Salisu Yusuf, the players’ lack of confidence, supporters’ reactions and the club’s plans for improvement.

The interview featured questions from the presenter and callers who expressed concerns about the club’s current situation.

NO CRISIS WITHIN MANAGEMENT OR TECHNICAL CREW

Responding to questions about the possibility of disagreements within the club’s management, Salami maintained that there was no problem among the management members.

He also dismissed suggestions of a crisis within the technical crew headed by Salisu Yusuf, insisting that everything was going smoothly in that department.

The chairman’s comments came amid concerns among supporters over the team’s inconsistent performances and the pressure surrounding the club.

WHY 3SC PARTED WAYS WITH NURUDEEN AWERORO

One of the major talking points of the interview was the departure of former head coach Nurudeen Aweroro, who guided Shooting Stars to a top-three finish last season and secured the club’s return to continental football.

Hamzat asked why the club decided to part ways with Aweroro after such an achievement.

Salami accepted responsibility for the decision, explaining that the management had also previously decided to part ways with former coach Gbenga Ogunbote when he returned to the club.

According to the chairman, the decision to appoint Aweroro was based on the management’s desire to work with a younger coach who could help the club achieve its long-term ambitions.

However, Salami argued that last season’s success was a collective achievement rather than the work of the coach alone.

He attributed approximately 80 per cent of the achievement to collective efforts and 20 per cent to Aweroro’s contribution.

The chairman explained that the management eventually concluded that the club needed to move beyond what it believed Aweroro could offer.

He said the decision was not necessarily a rejection of the coach’s previous achievement but a determination to pursue bigger ambitions for Shooting Stars.

WAS AWERORO’S DEPARTURE ABOUT HIS CAF LICENCE?

Hamzat also raised the issue of coaching qualifications, referring to public discussions about Aweroro’s reported CAF C coaching licence and whether that could limit his ability to lead Shooting Stars in continental competitions.

Salami rejected the suggestion that the certificate issue was the sole reason for the coach’s departure.

He explained that alternative arrangements could be made where a coach without the required qualification works alongside another qualified coach who heads the technical department.

According to him, the decision was based on broader considerations rather than coaching certification alone.

Asked to explain those considerations more specifically, the chairman identified what he described as concerns about Aweroro’s maturity and relationship with players.

Salami claimed that the way the former coach related to some players had raised concerns within the club. He also maintained that the management doubted whether Aweroro had the capacity to deliver the results it wanted to achieve in the current season.

These were the chairman’s explanations for the decision, rather than an independently established assessment of Aweroro’s coaching ability.

WHY SHOOTING STARS ARE STRUGGLING THIS SEASON

Addressing the club’s poor start to the current campaign, Salami said the success achieved last season had contributed to the pressure surrounding the team.

He explained that supporters’ expectations had risen significantly following the previous campaign’s top-three finish.

The chairman also pointed to the arrival of a new coach and new players, arguing that the squad needed time to understand one another and build the necessary chemistry.

According to him, the transition has affected the team’s progress, while the high expectations placed on the players have added to the pressure.

However, the chairman insisted that the club was not sitting back and allowing the situation to continue without taking action.

He said the management was working to address the problems and improve the team’s performances.

SALAMI EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN SALISU YUSUF

Despite the pressure surrounding the current technical crew, Salami expressed confidence in head coach Salisu Yusuf.

The chairman noted that Aweroro also experienced difficulties at the beginning of his time with Shooting Stars before eventually guiding the team to a successful finish.

He suggested that Yusuf should similarly be given time to overcome the present challenges and get the team performing as expected.

Salami maintained that he believed the current coach would eventually get things right.

His comments indicate that the management is not, at least publicly, withdrawing its support for Yusuf despite the club’s recent struggles.

AYOBAMI JUNIOR’S REPLACEMENT REMAINS A CHALLENGE

During the discussion, Hamzat questioned whether Shooting Stars had enough outstanding players compared with last season, when the squad included players such as Ayobami Junior.

In response, Salami described Ayobami Junior as a special player whose replacement would not be easy to find.

The chairman suggested that the player’s quality made him stand out, not only within Shooting Stars but across the NPFL.

Nevertheless, Salami insisted that the current squad still contained quality players and that the club was working to improve their performances.

He also acknowledged that Shooting Stars had lost some quality players after last season and was attempting to find suitable replacements.

The chairman explained that the club was not currently in a position to make new signings, but indicated that recruitment could be considered when the transfer window opened.

CHAIRMAN SAYS PLAYERS’ LACK OF CONFIDENCE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM

A caller who participated in the programme suggested that Shooting Stars needed to recruit two top-quality players to strengthen the squad.

Salami responded that the club already had good players, but acknowledged that the team needed time to develop a stronger understanding on the pitch.

Following the caller’s contribution, Hamzat pressed the chairman on whether the major problem was with the management or the players.

Salami defended the management, identifying the players’ lack of confidence and the weight of expectations as major factors affecting their performances.

Hamzat countered that professional footballers should be capable of handling pressure from supporters and should use fans’ reactions as motivation.

The chairman, however, maintained that excessive pressure could negatively affect players and prevent them from performing at their best.

The exchange highlighted the challenge facing Shooting Stars: the need to satisfy demanding supporters while helping the players regain the confidence required to compete consistently.

CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS MESSAGE TO FANS AFTER KANO PILLARS DRAW

The programme also examined a message circulated by the club’s media department after Shooting Stars’ goalless draw against Kano Pillars.

Hamzat questioned the wording of the message, particularly the warning that supporters who misbehaved would face disciplinary action.

Salami explained that the warning was directed at individuals he described as troublemakers rather than genuine supporters of the club.

He said violent behaviour, vandalism and disorder could expose Shooting Stars to serious consequences, including financial fines, points deductions or the possibility of having to play matches at another venue.

The chairman argued that some individuals might use disappointing results as an opportunity to cause trouble, while genuine supporters could express their dissatisfaction peacefully and return home.

He therefore appealed for a distinction between supporters who criticise the team and individuals who engage in destructive behaviour.

The chairman’s explanation was that the warning was intended to protect the club from actions that could damage its interests.

CALLERS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND GRASSROOTS TALENTS

The interview also provided an opportunity for listeners to raise questions about the club’s recruitment policy and talent-development system.

One caller claimed that messages and suggestions previously sent to the management by sports presenters were sometimes ignored.

Salami responded by asking the caller to identify the specific messages or recommendations that had allegedly been neglected, saying this would enable him to address the matter more directly.

Another caller suggested that Shooting Stars needed a stronger feeder-team arrangement to prepare young players for promotion to the senior squad.

The chairman replied that the club already had a feeder system and had recently promoted two players to the main team.

He added, however, that young footballers needed time to develop before they could consistently contribute at the highest level.

Hamzat also questioned whether the club was doing enough to identify and recruit talented players from grassroots football.

Salami said Shooting Stars had scouts who monitored grassroots football and disclosed that the club had organised a scouting programme in June, during which players participated in the talent-identification exercise.

The chairman’s response suggested that grassroots recruitment remained part of the club’s plans, although the impact of the programme will ultimately be judged by the number and quality of players who progress into the senior team.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OYO STATE FA REMAINS CORDIAL

When asked whether there were disagreements between Shooting Stars’ management and the Oyo State Football Association, Salami said both parties maintained a mutual understanding and were on good terms.

The chairman’s response dismissed suggestions that a strained relationship with the state football governing body was contributing to the club’s current difficulties.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND THE PROMISED BUS

Hamzat also asked whether the Oyo State Government was playing its expected role in supporting Shooting Stars.

Salami said the government was making efforts to support the club.

However, when the presenter asked about the bus reportedly promised to the team, the chairman confirmed that Shooting Stars had yet to receive it.

He expressed confidence that the government would do what was necessary in due course.

The issue remains one of the matters supporters may continue to monitor as they assess the level of institutional support available to the club.

CAN SHOOTING STARS TURN THINGS AROUND?

As the interview drew towards its conclusion, Hamzat asked when supporters should expect to see improvements in the team’s performances.

Salami expressed optimism that Shooting Stars would begin to win again, pointing to the next match against Ranchers Bees as an opportunity for a turnaround.

The fixture will provide an important opportunity for the team to respond to supporters’ concerns and begin rebuilding confidence.

However, the chairman’s optimism will need to be matched by an improved performance on the pitch if the club is to ease the pressure surrounding the management and technical crew.

MESSAGE TO SHOOTING STARS SUPPORTERS

In his closing message, Salami appealed to supporters to continue standing behind the team during the difficult period.

He urged them to keep supporting and encouraging the players, expressing the need for unity as the club works to improve its results.

For Shooting Stars, the immediate challenge is to turn assurances into results. The management has defended its decisions, maintained its confidence in Salisu Yusuf and promised that improvements are being pursued.

The coming fixtures will provide a clearer indication of whether the players can regain their confidence, build the required understanding and begin delivering performances that meet the expectations of the club’s supporters.

By YBS

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