Fresh details have emerged on why the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expelled Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan from the 2025 President Federation Cup.

 

An insider at the NFF’s Competition Department, speaking to ExclusiveNews.com.ng, revealed that the club’s disqualification was not just a matter of oversight but an intentional act by the team officials.

 

According to the source, 3SC had initially approached the NFF’s Director of Competitions, pleading for the late registration of seven new players—weeks after the official deadline had passed. Their request was denied, yet the club went ahead and fielded five ineligible players in their first-round match against Zamfara United FC.

 

Despite automatically advancing to the Round of 32 due to Zamfara United’s no-show, 3SC’s use of unregistered players led to their disqualification. The players in question—Samuel Okon, Sodiq Ibrahim, Ephraim Nwachukwu, Nonso Nzediegwu, and Ukeme Williams—were found to have used forged licenses.

 

In a letter signed by the NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, the federation stated:

 

“It has come to our attention that your club fielded five [5] ineligible players who are not registered with the NFF for this edition of the competition.”

 

With this decision, the Oluyole Warriors’ campaign in Nigeria’s oldest football competition has come to an abrupt and controversial end.