Shooting Stars sack Nurudeen Aweroro despite ending 27-year continental wait
Shooting Stars have sacked head coach Nurudeen Aweroro, alongside team manager Tammy Tamuno and assistant coach Shakiru Lawal, just weeks before their new NPFL campaign and continental opener against CS Sfaxien, despite guiding the club to a third-place finish last season.
In a very shocking news on Friday night, Shooting Stars confirmed it has parted with head coach Nurudeen Aweroro just days before the start of the 2026/27 NPFL season, despite guiding the Oluyole Warriors to their best league finish in years.
The club confirmed in a statement that Aweroro’s exit comes alongside those of team manager Tammy Tamuno and assistant coach Shakiru Lawal.
“We have reached a mutual agreement with Head Coach Nurudeen Aweroro, Team Manager Tammy Tamuno and Assistant Coach Shakiru Lawal to bring their respective contracts with the Club to an end, with immediate effect,” the club said.
Shooting Stars described the decision as following discussions between both parties, insisting the split was amicable.
The timing is striking given Aweroro’s achievements since taking charge in July 2025, having led the Ibadan-based club to a third-place finish in the 2025/26 NPFL season, securing continental football for the club for the first time in 27 years.
Oluyole Warriors are now three weeks from their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary-round clash against Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien.
The club used their statement to acknowledge the trio’s contributions during their time at the club.
“Shooting Stars appreciates Nurudeen Aweroro, Tammy Tamuno and Shakiru Lawal for their commitment, professionalism and contributions to the Club during their respective periods of service,” the statement read, specifically crediting their role in the historic continental qualification.
The club further extended its gratitude to the departing technical staff. “We thank them immensely for their service and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours and continued success in their careers,” Shooting Stars added, without detailing the specific reasons behind the abrupt parting.
With no immediate replacement named, Shooting Stars confirmed their remaining assistant coaches, led by Ali Kandil, will oversee affairs on an interim basis.
“In the interim, the other Assistant Coaches have been directed to take charge of the affairs of the Technical Department pending the appointment and announcement of a substantive Head Coach,” the club stated.
Aweroro’s departure leaves Shooting Stars searching for fresh leadership at arguably the most pivotal moment in their recent history, with a new league campaign and a long-awaited continental assignment both looming.
The club said further updates on the search for a substantive head coach would be communicated in due course.
