Former Shooting Stars head coach Gbenga Ogunbote has issued a heartfelt farewell message to the club’s supporters following his departure from the Oluyole Warriors.
Ogunbote, who also previously managed Nigerian football giants Enyimba International, was relieved of his duties by newly appointed General Manager Taiwo Lekan Salami as part of a major restructuring at the club ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
Taking to his social media account on Thursday morning, Ogunbote expressed deep gratitude to everyone who stood by him during his time with the club.
“My time with Shooting Stars has officially come to an end. I want to thank the fans, my players, the technical crew, the backroom staff, and everyone who supported me throughout this journey. Your love never went unnoticed,” he wrote.
My time with @ShootingSc has officially come to an end. I want to thank the fans, my players, technical crew, backroom staffs, and everyone who supported me throughout this journey. Your love never went unnoticed. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/CxWyg5nKyt
— Coach Gbenga Ogunbote (@GbengaOgunbote) July 24, 2025Ogunbote’s most recent stint with the club began in August 2022, his third spell with Shooting Stars and lasted nearly three years. Under his guidance, the team showed signs of resurgence, though they ultimately fell short of major silverware.
His exit follows that of former club legend and General Manager Dimeji Lawal, who was also relieved of his role as the club moves in a new direction. The shake-up comes just weeks after a senior club official dismissed reports linking Ogunbote to a potential move to Kano Pillars, stating at the time that he would complete his contract.
However, internal decisions have since shifted, prompting a fresh chapter for the Ibadan-based side as they prepare for the upcoming season.
