EuroMatch NPFL: ‘Salisu Must Go’ — Shooting Stars Coach Under Pressure as Fans Protest Poor Run

Shooting Stars coach Salisu Yusuf is facing mounting pressure after a section of the club’s supporters called for his dismissal following Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Kano Pillars at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Sportsbeat.ng reports.

The frustration boiled over after the final whistle as supporters reportedly trooped towards the stadium car park while members of the club hierarchy were preparing to leave.

The fans, who gathered in numbers, reportedly prevented the officials from immediately driving out of the stadium before chanting repeatedly: “Salisu Must Go.”

The protest reflected growing dissatisfaction with Shooting Stars’ results and a disappointing start to the 2026/27 EuroMatch NPFL season.

The draw with Pillars leaves the Oluyole Warriors with just two wins from seven league matches, alongside two draws and three defeats, giving them eight points from a possible 21.

It also extended their winless run to four matches, adding to concerns over the team’s lack of consistency since the beginning of the campaign.

Yusuf arrived at Shooting Stars in August with the responsibility of building on the club’s third-place finish last season and leading the side in its return to continental football after more than two decades.

The experienced coach had also pledged to make the Oluyole Warriors more competitive across the NPFL, CAF Confederation Cup and domestic competitions.

However, the team’s early-season struggles have put that ambition under immediate pressure.

Shooting Stars began the league campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter Lagos but have since suffered defeats against Plateau United, Warri Wolves and Enyimba, with victories over Katsina United and Inter Lagos accounting for their only wins.

The 4-2 defeat to Enyimba on September 30 was followed by consecutive goalless draws against Nasarawa United and Kano Pillars.

The continental campaign has also ended prematurely.

After beating Tunisian side CS Sfaxien 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie, Shooting Stars lost 2-0 in the return leg in Tunisia to exit 2-1 on aggregate.

The early continental elimination, coupled with the team’s inconsistent league form, has intensified scrutiny of Yusuf’s technical leadership.

Pillars end nine-year wait in Ibadan

Wednesday’s stalemate carried added significance for Kano Pillars, who secured their first point away to Shooting Stars in Ibadan in nine years.

Pillars’ last positive result at the Lekan Salami Stadium came in June 2017, when the two sides also played out a 0-0 draw.

The Kano club had subsequently suffered four consecutive league defeats in Ibadan before ending that run with Wednesday’s result.

The point also extended Pillars’ unbeaten start to seven matches and took their tally to 11 points from seven games.

For Shooting Stars, however, the result further deepened the sense of frustration among supporters who expected a stronger start following last season’s impressive campaign.

Yusuf had appealed for patience earlier in the season, insisting that the team would improve as the campaign progressed.

But with only two wins from seven league matches, the pressure has now moved beyond online criticism, with supporters openly demanding a change.

The next few fixtures could therefore prove crucial for Yusuf as Shooting Stars seek to arrest their slide, restore confidence and prevent the growing calls for his departure from escalating.