Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, have been disqualified from the 2025 President Federation Cup despite securing a walkover victory against Zamfara United in their Round of 64 fixture on Wednesday at the Area 3 Stadium, Abuja, Completesports.com reports.
The Oluyole Warriors, as 3SC are fondly called, were awarded a walkover after Zamfara United, a second-tier league side, failed to show up for the game. However, controversy arose when it was discovered that 3SC had listed five ineligible players for the fixture.
This prompted the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Competitions Department to sanction the club with outright expulsion from the tournament.
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Both the Oyo State Football Association and Shooting Stars SC have been formally notified of the development, Completesports.com checks reveal.
“It’s unfortunate. We had walked over Zamfara United, only to be informed later in the day that we’ve been disqualified because we listed five unregistered players on the match form,” a 3SC official confirmed to Completesports.com.
“They (NFF) have officially notified us and the (Oyo) State FA in writing. Now, we have to focus on the NPFL and push for a continental ticket by finishing among the top three,” the official added, after multiple attempts to reach General Manager Dimeji Lawal and Head Coach Gbenga Ogunbote proved unsuccessful.
By Sab Osuji
