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Aweroro explains decision to leave Shooting Stars after NPFL split
Former Shooting Stars head coach Nurudeen Aweroro says he was not surprised when the Nigeria Premier Football League club asked to end their relationship.
The former NPFL champions confirmed Aweroro’s departure last week, bringing his spell in charge to an end. Speaking to Prime FM, the coach said he had anticipated the decision before the club formally approached him.
“When they reached out to me that we should mutually agree to part ways, I told the chairman I expected this long time ago,” Aweroro said.
” I was told they didn’t want me anymore because I won’t be able to meet the demands of playing in the NPFL and on the continent. And I accepted the decision.”
Aweroro also described some of the pressures he faced while managing Shooting Stars, including disagreements over team selection and expectations surrounding results.
He said he had been involved in assembling parts of his coaching set-up after being asked whether Tammy could work alongside him.
“When I started work, I was asked if Tammy could join me, I said yes and that’s how he was appointed team manager. Others I brought were also appointed,” added the gaffer.
However, he said tension developed as the new season approached, with pressure increasing over results and the players he selected.
” But when the (last) season was about to start there were bickerings here and there, and even threats of we will sack you for not winning matches. Or, at times, when I use a player they feel I shouldn’t use. I didn’t allow that to deter me as I focused on the target ahead.”
Aweroro joined Shooting Stars after previously managing Ikorodu City. He said his departure from Ikorodu City had been motivated by personal concerns, particularly what he regarded as unacceptable interference from the club’s then technical director, Bright Ozebagbe.
The coach explained that Ozebagbe’s continued involvement in football matters affected his work after Aweroro took charge.
“Already at that time, I was planning my exit from Ikorodu City. The reason I wanted to leave Ikorodu City at that time was because of the technical director (Bright Ozebagbe) they appointed.
“His job is more of an office job and remember he resigned as head coach then before I took over. He kept interfering in my job as head coach and I didn’t like it. At that point I told my team manager (Tammy) to send out my CV,” he stated.
Aweroro’s exit from Shooting Stars was confirmed by the club last week, with the NPFL side citing the decision to part ways as a mutual agreement.
His comments provide his first detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding the split and the challenges he experienced during his time with the club.
