The Oracle (not Ogunbote yet), Otu in Igbo or Ẹnu-Ifá in Yoruba, stands as a mysterious and revered conduit between the mortal world and the divine. Often veiled in ritual and ambiguity, the practice of divination through oracles sought to unveil hidden truths, foretell destiny, and provide guidance from the gods.
Whether through cryptic utterances at Delphi or trance-induced visions in sacred rooms, the oracle’s words carried immense power, shaping the decisions of kings and commoners alike. This holy act of seeking divine insight illuminates humanity’s enduring quest for meaning beyond the tangible. And that brings me to the man affectionately dubbed the Oracle in Nigerian football circles – Gbenga Ogunbote.
The Oracle has landed in Ibadan.#NPFL https://t.co/OM1pfd3XLQ pic.twitter.com/HyV7bIIgIL
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel(@OgaNlaMedia) August 22, 2022
The tactician is one of the most travelled coaches in the league since his breakthrough stint at Sunshine Stars in 2012. Since then, the veteran head coach has managed Sharks, Shooting Stars (twice and currently in his third stint), defunct Giwa FC, Enyimba, Enugu Rangers, Lobi Stars, Sunshine Stars (second stint), and Remo Stars.
Over the years, Ogunbote’s reputation has been built on resilience, strategic thinking, and a knack for reviving faltering teams. He has also become synonymous with stability and silent progress—never flashy, but always effective. He delivered continental football during his time at Enyimba, while he won the Federation Cup in 2018 – his only silverware to date – at Rangers. He also helped Shooting Stars beat the drop twice before leading Remo Stars to their first experience on the continent in 2021.
According to him, in an interview with Sports247 in 2020, the current Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, who is a fervent practising Christian, explained how he got the name “The Oracle” more than 20 years ago.
By August 22nd, it will be exactly three years since Ogunbote’s return to Shooting was confirmed, and he was presented to the public in an elaborate ceremony. The Oracle replaced former player and loyal servant of the club, Edith Agoye, who kept the club afloat in the Nigeria Premier Football League after their promotion in 2021. Since Ogunbote’s return to the club, the Oluyole Warriors have finished in 6th (2022/23) – abridged season, 4th (2023/24), and 8th (2024/25).
After steering the club to a promising position in the 2023-24 NPFL season, a disappointing end in the 2024-25 season has prompted mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. The question now looms: does the Oracle still hold the answers to 3SC’s long-standing quest for glory, or is his magic waning? His legacy, once again, is being tested on the sidelines of one of Nigeria’s most storied clubs.
The NPFL title race is now a Southwest conversation:
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel
3SC coach, Gbenga Ogunbote; “Nobody has won the league yet.”
“I think we have 17 games to determine that, so nobody has won it, nobody has lost it. Every team has equal chance of winning it.”
Credit: @acl_sports. pic.twitter.com/BZ82PdVx3u
Without any iota of doubt, Shooting Stars is one of the most followed clubs in Nigerian football, and the passionate fans are not shy to make their voices known. They have been vocal about how the club has been managed in recent years and how the Oracle has failed to evolve in his methodology. The second half of the 2024-25 season which the club won just three games in 16 league outings, raised further questions about the capacity of the Oracle to deliver the goods again.
The Oracle is fond of reaching out to seasoned players—some who previously made their mark in Nigeria’s top flight—to lend leadership on and off the pitch. However, a good number of them have been big misses. Ogunbote, who also has the full backing of the management, signs at will, while the out-of-favour players have been left on the fringes. Sadly, the current system has not brought the glory days back, but the club has been close.
Despite ending the 2024-25 campaign with the 5-1 drubbing of Rangers, Shooting Stars failed in many ways. The Oluyole Warriors watched as former babies of the league, Remo Stars, won their first league title – a feat the Ibadan club had not achieved since 1998. The just concluded season saw the Ibadan-based club miss out on continental football once again. In the President Federation Cup, which is another route of playing on the continent, the club was thrown out due to a “back-door” registration scandal.
Recall that Ogunbote signed an extension until 2026, so he is expected to lead the club for the 2025-26 season. However, the sudden change in the club’s management has raised some doubts about Ogunbote’s future and that of the rest of the technical crew with the Oluyole Warriors.
Can the Oracle still see beyond the veil, or has time finally clouded his once-prophetic vision? For Shooting Stars and their expectant faithful, the answer may define not just a season—but an era.
