Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) is facing a transportation crisis as their team bus broke down multiple times during a journey to Katsina, leaving players and officials stranded in Akure, Ondo State.
The breakdown occurred just two days before a vital Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match against Katsina United, threatening to derail their preparations.
According to information provided by sports journalist and loyal club supporter Kenny Ogunmiloro, the team departed Ibadan at around 4:30 am for an 18-hour trip to Katsina, where they are set to play on Friday.
However, their journey has been fraught with problems. The bus, which was donated by the Makinde-led administration in 2021, broke down twice first at Gbongan, then at Owena before breaking down for a third time in Akure.
Shooting Stars bus while its been repaired.
This is not the first time the bus has let the team down. It also broke down during their last away match against Enyimba in Aba just a week ago. The constant mechanical failures are raising serious concerns about the bus’s reliability and its ability to support the team during this critical phase of the season.
Currently sitting third on the NPFL table with 43 points—tied with Rivers United—Shooting Stars are in the midst of a tight race and a continental place, something they haven’t secured in over 20 years.
Shooting Stars bus while its been repaired.
With only two days left before the match, fans fear that the bus issues, combined with the fatigue from the long and delayed journey, could severely affect the team’s performance.
Source: TheAthleticNG