Shooting Stars boss Yusuf confident of turnaround after difficult NPFL start

Shooting Stars technical adviser Salisu Yusuf says his team can recover from a challenging start to the season despite winning only two of their opening six Nigeria Premier Football League matches.

The Oluyole Warriors have also suffered an early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup, losing to Tunisian club CS Sfaxien in the preliminary round.

Their poor run continued on Sunday when they were held to a goalless draw by Nasarawa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The result left the former champions in the relegation zone.

Yusuf acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the result but urged supporters to remain patient as the campaign develops.

“Football is very emotional. Personally, I’m not happy with the outcome of the game against Nasarawa United,” Yusuf told 3SCFANTV.

“What we are asking from the fans is their understanding. Things are going to be fine.

“We have only played six games in the season, with more games to come. We just need to be patient because, when it comes to being on the continent, it is not always about the best starter but the best finisher that matters.”

Shooting Stars will have an immediate chance to end their winless run when they entertain Kano Pillars in a rescheduled league fixture on Wednesday.

Yusuf, however, faces the task of improving a side whose early results have left them under pressure domestically, following their disappointment in continental competition.

The Ibadan club’s two victories from six league matches have been insufficient to prevent them from slipping into the relegation places, but Yusuf believes there is still ample time to change their position before the end of the season.