Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan has been kicked out of the 2025 President Federation Cup due to fielding ineligible players in their first-round match against Zamfara United FC. This decision comes despite their automatic qualification to the round of 32, following Zamfara United's no-show at the Area 3 field in Abuja ¹.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took this action after discovering that five Shooting Stars players were not registered with the NFF for this year's competition. These players include Samuel Okon, Sodiq Ibrahim, and three others.

The NFF's director of competition, Ruth David, stated in a letter that the federation has no choice but to expel Shooting Stars from the tournament. This decision is a significant blow to the Oluyole Warriors, who were seeking to make a deep run in the competition.

The Oluyole Warriors, after their qualification to round 32 early this morning without kicking the ball, following the refusal of Zamfara United FC to show up for the round of 64 fixture at the Area 3 field, Abuja have been expelled from the oldest football competition in Nigeria.

In a letter signed by the director for competition, Ruth David, on behalf of the Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary. Five players who were not registered with the Nigeria Football Federation for this year edition were fielded in today's match against Zamfara United.

The letter reads:

"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."

These players include:
1] Samuel Okon (Jersey No 21)
2) Sodiq Ibrahim (Jersey No 27)
3] Ephraim Nwachukwu (Jersey No 20)
4] Nonso Nzediegwu (Jersey NO 23)
5] Ukeme Williams (Jersey No 5)

By Implication, the licences used by these players were FORGED.
You are therefore disqualified from further participation in the 2025 President Federation Cup  

The letter stated.