Pressure Mounts on Salisu Yusuf as Shooting Stars Struggle in NPFL
Shooting Stars head coach Salisu Yusuf is facing increasing scrutiny after a disappointing run of results left the Ibadan club 17th in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table after eight matches.
The Oluyole Warriors have collected just eight points from their opening eight fixtures, raising concerns among supporters about the team’s form and its ability to move away from the bottom of the table.
Shooting Stars have gone three league matches without a win, recording consecutive goalless draws at home before suffering a 2-0 defeat away to Kun Khalifat.
Nasarawa United held the Ibadan side at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Matchday Six, before Kano Pillars also left the venue with a point following another 0-0 stalemate on Matchday Seven.
Their struggles continued in Owerri on Matchday Eight, where goals from Chukwuma Agor and Uchechukwu Onuoha handed Kun Khalifat a 2-0 victory at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
The defeat further increased the pressure on Yusuf, with supporters reportedly growing frustrated by the team’s inability to turn their performances into victories.
Concerns have centred on Shooting Stars’ lack of goals, their failure to make home advantage count and defensive lapses that have contributed to their recent setbacks.
Yusuf has also acknowledged the team’s defensive shortcomings. Following the loss to Kun Khalifat, the former Enyimba manager criticised his players’ performance at the back and indicated that changes to the defensive line could be considered.
The experienced tactician previously guided Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles to a silver medal at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), but he now faces the task of restoring confidence and improving Shooting Stars’ results.
With the season still in its early stages, the Ibadan club have an opportunity to turn their campaign around. However, they will need to find greater attacking consistency and tighten up defensively to climb away from the relegation zone.
Whether the club’s management will continue to back Yusuf or consider a change in technical leadership remains uncertain as pressure continues to build.
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