Shooting Stars expelled from 2025 President Federation Cup over alleged forgery

By Dayo Awoniyi

In a stunning development, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has been expelled from the 2025 President Federation Cup following allegations of forgery and deception.

Sources close to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reveal that the club’s disqualification stemmed not from an honest mistake but from a calculated effort to deceive the NFF.

Insiders claim that 3SC officials had sought to register seven new players past the official deadline.

Despite the NFF’s rejection of the request, the club proceeded to field five ineligible players during their first-round match against Zamfara United FC.

Investigations revealed that the five players—Samuel Okon, Sodiq Ibrahim, Ephraim Nwachukwu, Nonso Nzediegwu, and Ukeme Williams—were listed with forged licenses to play in the match.

Ruth David, the NFF’s Director of Competitions, confirmed the breach, saying, “It has come to our attention that your club fielded five ineligible players who are not registered with the NFF for this edition of the competition.”

The expulsion marks a bitter end to Shooting Stars’ 2025 Federation Cup campaign, casting a shadow over their aspirations and leaving their supporters in disbelief over the club’s involvement in such misconduct.