And the champions of the NPFL are Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan!!!!!!!!! This is a statement that would throw the whole of Oyo state into celebrations, more like there will be festivals, carnivals on the streets of Ibadan if those words are said by any commentator after an NPFL game.Â
But unfortunately, the last time the people of Ibadan heard such a statement was in 1998; 25 years ago. In fact, it was a double pronouncement after the Oluyole Warriors added the West African Club championship trophy to the NPFL title.
Ibadan Fans Have Survived Thick and Thin
Since then, it has been a sour-sweet ride for fans of the club. But since their most recent promotion to topflight in 2021, hopes have risen that better days are ahead for the club. However since the promotion the club has only managed to be floating, managing to survive relegation in 2022 and finishing mid-table in 2023.
This return of performance has left fans wondering if indeed better days are ahead of the club. But the 2023/24 season might just be different for the club; it will be Gbenga Ogunbote’s second season with the club which shows growth in consistency in terms of managers. Edith Agoye had just a season with the club in the topflight but had enjoyed consistency with the club in the NNL.
Ibadan: Shooting Stars And the Return Of The Oracle
Ogunbote’s return had brought a glimpse of hope after what he did with neighbors, Remo Stars in 2021 taking them to the continent on their return to the NPFL the same year 3SC gained promotion. Albeit, his first season was not so rosy apart from the fine preseason the club had, the season proper was a shadow of what to come.
But with a better hold of what is happening at the club now, Ogunbote is beginning to make his stamp on the club and is beginning to get the sort of players he would want in his team. Apart from the getting the players, Ogunbote has also managed to get 2 years contracts for most thes players he is bringing in unlike the former years where the players are only offered a year or less by the club.
3SC have also dug deep into their reserves to ensure they kept one of their long serving players, Malomo Taofeek. All of these have shown the club’s intent to ensure a successful outing in the new season but can the new player fill in the shoes that won the last trophy for the club; let’s take a look.
Darlintin Ovunda
Ovunda found it difficult to bench Sochima Victor at Rivers United after joining them in 2019 but it is a certainty that he does know his onions when it comes to goalkeeping. And already he has shown his quality to 3SC fans in the just concluded 2023 ValueJet Cup; a preseason tournament.
Ovunda was in the 2022 squad that won the NPFL title for Rivers United so he is a proven winner which is exactly what Ogunbote needs in his team. According to transfermarkt.com, Ovunda has played 23 NPFL games and kept 12 clean sheets, an average of one clean sheet in every two games.
In the ValueJet Cup, he was named Man of the Match against Beyond Limits Football Academy after stopping not just a penalty but numerous attacks on his side. He was also deservedly named in the Team of the Tournament. Â
Already, there are comments that he will be very instrumental for the Oluyole Warriors in the coming season and that is exactly what the fans will be hoping for when the season begins.Â
Anayo Ogbonna
Anayo has got bags of NPFL experience coming into this 3SC team. He brings something that has been somewhat missing in the team since earning promotion in 2021. Anayo has teams like Adamawa United, Lobi Stars, Katsina United and Gombe United for experience.Â
The big man plays as a striker and has accumulated 71 appearances across the length and breadth of the NPFL scoring 10 times according to transfermarkt.com. He certainly might not be the number one striker in Ibadan but his experience would be put to efficient use.
Just like Ovunda, Anayo did show his stuff at the ValueJet Cup. He scored arguably one of the goals of the tournament in Ikenne when 3SC defeated Remo Stars for the first time in seven meetings. Â
Daddy Abdulrahman
Daddy was one of the few shining lights in the relegated El-Kanemi warriors squad. He played 4 matches in the just finished season for the Warriors accumulating 360 minutes.
The youngster is joining a squad with a top gaffer, hence his potential will be massively utilized. The 20 year old central midfielder will be a part of the team that will be looking to bring the glory days back to Ibadan.He might have to do things extra to bench Alex Aghahowa who seems to have sealed his starting shirt. But Daddy will definitely learn and be a good squad player.
Daddy gives Ogunbote more confidence that he has quality on the bench when he needs them to turn around a game.
Chinedu Emmanuel Anozie
Chinedu is one of those goalkeepers who do not exactly look like every goalkeeper but he has proven his qualities over the years in the NPFL despite a deceiving physique.
Anozie has also got lots of experience in the NPFL having played for Abia Warriors, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Plateau United. He was in contention for the golden gloves award in 2019 after keeping 7 clean sheets from the first 9 games of the season.
In 2020, he deservedly became the kings of goalkeepers after managing the highest clean sheets -10 in 20 appearances that season.Â
Anozie will now look to battle Darintin for a new challenge in Ibadan after signing a 2 year deal with the Oluyole Warriors. All his experience will help the Oluyole Warriors as they aim for a better NPFL season.
Apart from these NPFL stars brought in, Shooting Stars have also shipped in players from the NNL. The Warriors brought in Kayode Oke from state rivals – Crown FC on a 3 years deal, Michael Eneruna on a 2 year deal from Warri wolves, Gbenga Adelowo from an undisclosed club, Ambrose Ogundahunsola from NLO side, Adamimogo FC, Akure.
Shooting Stars Squad Outlook
To have a more lethal squad, the team also promoted three academy players to the first team. Gbolahan Babatunde who will serve as third goalkeeper showed a few glimpses of quality at the Optima Gold preseason tournament where he saved a penalty.
Afolabi Isaac and Olamilekan Oderinde will serve as cover for the full backs when the season starts. The NPFL transfer window is also still open till September 2, 2023 which means the club can still bring in more qualities to become a Warriror.
With what Ogunbote has assembled ahead of the season, can Kayode and his teammates bring joy back to the people of Ibadan in 2024.