Aweroro Promises High-Intensity Shooting Stars Ahead of NPFL Opener

Shooting Stars head coach, Nurudeen Aweroro, has assured fans that the club will be strong contenders in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, urging patience as he settles into his new role, Sport360NG reports.

The Oluyole Warriors begin their campaign today (Sunday) at the Lekan Salami Stadium against Bayelsa United, and anticipation is already high in Ibadan following a major shake-up within the squad.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Aweroro called on supporters to keep faith with the team.
“Fans should stay calm, we are going to give them what they want,” he said.

The coach stressed that the return of fans to the Lekan Salami Stadium would serve as an extra source of motivation for his players.
“I will be happy seeing the fans behind us. Their support is huge, it gives the players confidence. We are very confident of winning,” he added.

With Bayelsa United providing the first test, Aweroro emphasised the importance of starting strongly.
“The first game of the season always matters. We must go for the three points, and if possible score plenty of goals. But the most important thing is victory,” he noted.

The former Ikorodu City boss expressed satisfaction with the current blend of old and new faces in his squad. According to him, the experienced players have been instrumental in helping fresh arrivals settle quickly.
“The senior players have done a lot to integrate the new ones. The relationship is already strong, so we are ready,” he said.

Aweroro also ruled out a cautious approach in Sunday’s opener.
“There’s nothing like starting slowly. We will play with intensity from the beginning until the end,” he insisted.

Explaining his football philosophy, the coach highlighted speed, transitions and collective effort as key pillars of his style.
“If you lose the ball, defend immediately. The key is making quick decisions, that helps transition into attack and create scoring chances,” he explained.

The coach praised the commitment of his players, describing them as fully aligned with his methods.
“They keep telling me, ‘Coach, we are here to work with you.’ I told them we are business partners, if we succeed, everyone benefits,” he said.

Reflecting on his appointment, Aweroro described leading the historic Ibadan club as both a privilege and a responsibility.
“It’s an honour to manage Shooting Stars. It shows how far I’ve come, but it also means I must work even harder because greater opportunities still lie ahead,” he concluded.