Yusuf under pressure after poor start for Shooting Stars

The pressure is mounting on Shooting Stars technical advisor Salisu Yusuf following the team’s poor start to the 2026/27 campaign.

The Oluyole Warriors played out a goalless draw against Kano Pillars in a rescheduled matchday three match at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

The result means the Shooting Stars have won just one of their last seven league matches, recording one win, two draws and four defeats during the period.

Their disappointing start has also been compounded by their early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Ibadan club was eliminated in the first preliminary round by Tunisian side CS Sfaxien.

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The Shooting Stars claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg at their temporary stadium in Abeokuta, but lost their lead after losing 2-0 in the second leg.

Yusuf’s side’s difficult start to the 2026/27 season is in stark contrast to the team’s impressive finish to the 2025/26 campaign, when the Oluyole Warriors claimed a third-place finish and earned a continental ticket for the first time in over two decades.

The experienced tactician replaced Nurudeen Aweroro, who was controversially sacked by the club just weeks before the start of the new season.

Following Wednesday’s stalemate with Kano Pillars, sections of the club’s fans called for the dismissal of Yusuf and demanded the reinstatement of Aweroro.

Yusuf will now hope to make a quick recovery when the Shooting Stars travel to face Kun Khalifat FC in the round eight fixture this weekend.

By Adeboye Amosu