Aweroro Denies Bribery Allegations After Shooting Stars Exit
Former Shooting Stars head coach, Nurudeen Aweroro, has denied allegations that he collected money or other inducements from players, following his departure from the Ibadan-based club.
Shooting Stars parted ways with Aweroro by mutual consent last Saturday after one season in charge. His exit reportedly came amid allegations that he was being induced by some players.
However, speaking on a Yoruba sports programme, Gbagede Ere Idaraya, hosted by Sola Aiyegbajeje in Ibadan, Aweroro challenged anyone who accused him of collecting money from players to provide evidence.
“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,” Aweroro said.
He explained that there were instances when players voluntarily offered him tokens of appreciation, stressing that such gestures were different from demanding or collecting inducements.
“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,” he said.
Aweroro also cited Alade Balogun, whom he brought from Ikorodu City, as an example, saying he had asked the player in the presence of his teammates whether he had ever demanded financial favours or inducements from him.
“You see these players, there are some among them that I give money to, and there are some that I buy boots for,” he added.
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure, Aweroro enjoyed a successful campaign with Shooting Stars in his only season at the club, guiding the Oluyole Warriors to a third-place finish in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League and securing the club’s first continental qualification in 27 years.
The achievement earned Shooting Stars a place in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, where they have been drawn against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the first round of the preliminary stage.
Aweroro said the job took a toll on his health, revealing that his blood pressure rose to 169 during his time at the club.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shooting Stars are reportedly considering former Rangers coach, Imama Amapakabo, as a possible replacement for Aweroro.
The 57-year-old, who led Rangers to the NPFL title in 2016, is reportedly open to the move, although no agreement has been reached as discussions with his current club, Abia Warriors, are expected to precede any appointment.
Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf, is also reportedly among the leading candidates being considered by the club.
Shooting Stars will begin their 2026/27 NPFL campaign against Inter Lagos in Ibadan on August 28 before turning their attention to their CAF Confederation Cup clash with CS Sfaxien.
Source: The Punch