In a strategic move to bolster their coaching staff, Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) club Shooting Stars have appointed Adedeji Ayeoba as part of their technical crew for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The announcement underscores the club’s efforts to build a competitive squad ahead of their campaign, which kicks off with a home fixture against Bayelsa United in Ibadan.
Ayeoba, a rising tactician known for his developmental work, joins the Oluyole Warriors after serving as head coach of Lagos-based Escola Academy, a youth-focused football institution. His role will involve collaborating with the club’s technical adviser, Nurudeen Aweroro, to refine tactical strategies and enhance team performance. The pairing signals a blend of youthful innovation and seasoned oversight, as Shooting Stars aim to improve on last season’s mid-table finish.
This recruitment follows the earlier addition of Grace Towobola, a specialist in athlete preparation, as the team’s new strength and conditioning coach. Towobola’s appointment aligns with the club’s emphasis on physical resilience, a critical factor in the NPFL’s demanding schedule. Together, the trio of Ayeoba, Aweroro, and Towobola forms part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at revitalizing the Ibadan-based side.
Shooting Stars, officially nicknamed the Oluyole Warriors, have historically been one of Nigeria’s most storied clubs, with a fanbase spanning generations. However, recent seasons have seen them grapple with inconsistent form. The current overhaul reflects management’s urgency to restore the team’s competitiveness in a league increasingly dominated by tactically agile squads.
Their season opener against Bayelsa United, scheduled for late August, will serve as an early test of the revamped technical team’s preparations. Matches between the two sides have traditionally been closely contested, adding anticipation to the fixture. The club’s decision to host the game at Lekan Salami Stadium, a 10,000-seat venue in Ibadan, highlights their focus on leveraging home-ground advantage.
While the NPFL’s international profile continues to grow, Shooting Stars’ recruitment strategy underscores a localized approach, prioritizing coaches with grassroots experience and a track record of nurturing talent. This aligns with broader trends in African football, where academies and developmental projects increasingly feed into top-tier leagues.
With the new season weeks away, fans and analysts alike will monitor how these strategic hires translate into on-field results, particularly as the club seeks to balance short-term performance with long-term squad development.
