Adegboye Onigbinde speaks on Shooting

General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club has told nigeriasports.com that contrary to what people think, there is no crises in the camp of Shooting Stars and he is indeed impressed with their run in the league so far.

Speaking on the heels of a perceived slump in fortunes before the club picked up, Onigbinde said since the plan for the Oluyole warlords was never to win the 2004 league, and then it would be foolhardy for any one to say the club is not doing well.

“Nobody promised anybody the league shield. We only just came into the Premier league and we must consolidate this season before thinking big ahead of the 2004 league. Besides, we do not have a problem since whatever bad fortunes the club had this season was due to the Nigerian factor.”

He described the Nigerian factor as the weekend and midweek games the clubs were made to play in the first round of the league which end next week.

“It told on us because there was really no time to map out strategies, recover from injuries and rest from fatigue. If you look at all the clubs, I doubt if anyone is stable after being forced to play in this format, even when you consider the mode of transportation and condition of our roads.” Onigbinde said to nigeriasports.com.

Blames club owners

Onigbinde, blamed club owners for not standing up to speak against this because they want to be in the good books of the NFA, whether they are right or wrong.

“That is why the NFA feels they can just impose anything on us, because the club owners will be totally silent on the issue. It is funny that there can be no league without the club owners, but nobody seeks our opinion on issues that affect the running of the league.”

Lists two targets

“I had two targets for Shooting Stars in 2004 and first I want to say Shooting will remain in the Premier League and second, I wish to establish the club as a company, since we would then be the first football club in this country.”

“Right now we don’t have any football club in this country but football teams.”

Age knocks out Ajibade, Oladimeji

Fans who are hoping to see the likes of Ajibade Babalade and Oladimeji Lawal in action alongside Edith Agoye will be disappointed as the General Manager says with the average age of teams dropping, the duo are needed just to encourage the younger players in the team.

“If you look at the recent Brazilian team you will notice that the average age is dropping to about 23, so that is our plan and fans may not see much of them.”

Still wants more coaches on club’s bench

Despite the outcry of fans that the club might just have too many coaches, Onigbinde insists eight is not enough.

He revealed to nigeriasports.com that based on his plans of turning Shooting into a model club, they might still need to get more hand on deck.

“You must agree with me that by the time we open up our program, the eight coaches we presently have will not be enough. People are only saying this because they do not understand our program. We are not planning for today, but for the future of the club.”

He said his program is about establishing shooting stars as a model club in the country and also being equal to other Premier league clubs in Europe.

“We are not satisfied with the standard in this country and if I have a program that will develop players for me, I need hands to do that and if you have ever been to a club like Manchester United, you will understand what I am saying.”

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