NPFL: Disappointed Shooting Stars to prioritize continental ticket and Ogunbote’s contract renewal
Shooting Stars General Manager, Dimeji Lawal can’t hide his disappointment following the team’s failure to secure a place on the continent.
The Oluyole Warriors defeated Sporting Lagos 1-0 in their final game of the season on Sunday.
The Ibadan club however missed out on a place on the continent despite the win finishing fourth on the table.
Lawal said it was so sad the efforts to seal a continental ticket did not yield.
“I believe we did our best to get the ticket to the continent but it was painful. We couldn’t get it despite fighting till the last day of the season,” he told the club’s media.
“I wept immediately when I discovered we didn’t make it. It’s been a long time since I felt so sad but I must praise you for your commitment and doggedness, even though I still believe that little mistakes cost us our main target.”
The club has also confirmed that negotiations are ongoing to retain Gbenga Ogunbote as the club’s technical adviser.
Ogunbote is currently out of contract with the club.
The Oluyole Warriors chairman, Babatunde Olaniyan Akoro, said that the top priority of the club is to ensure continuity.
Akoro stated that the management is satisfied with the performance of the team in the just concluded season.
“I can say that the meeting kick starts with immediate preparation for the next season and also the beginning of the efforts to keep our technical adviser, coach Gbenga Ogunbote,” Akoro stated after the meeting with the veteran tactician.
Shooting Stars finished the season in fourth place.
Also the club midfielder, Ayobami Junior is on the verge of completing a move to Tanzania.
According to reports, the player is attracting the interest of an unnamed Tanzanian club.
Ayobami is expected to join the club before the end of the month.
The 25-year-old midfielder had an impressive outing for the Oluyole Warriors in the just-concluded NPFL season.
He made 34 appearances for Shooting Stars last season with four assists to his name.
