Shooting Stars Vow to Deal With Unruly Fans As Salisu Yusuf Faces Aweroro Comparison

Shooting Stars Sports Club have threatened sanctions against unruly supporters following protests over the team’s poor start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season, with head coach Salisu Yusuf facing growing pressure as fans compare his early record with Nurudeen Aweroro’s achievements last season.

Shooting Stars Sports Club have vowed to take firm action against unruly supporters following protests in Ibadan, as mounting frustration over the team’s performances threatens to overshadow their campaign.

The club issued a statement on Friday, October 9, warning that violence, threats, intimidation and verbal or physical abuse directed at its management, coaches, technical crew and players would not be tolerated.

Management acknowledged that the team’s start to the season had fallen below expectations but insisted that dissatisfaction with results did not justify misconduct.

The club warned that offenders could face stadium bans and referral to the appropriate authorities, while appealing to supporters to remain patient and continue backing the team.

However, the anger that prompted the protest reflects a deeper concern among the Oluyole Warriors’ supporters: whether the club can sustain the progress made last season following the departure of former head coach Nurudeen Aweroro and the appointment of Yusuf.

Poor results fuel supporters’ anger

Shooting Stars’ early-season form has placed Yusuf under increasing scrutiny, with the team’s inability to string together positive results becoming a major source of concern.

The Ibadan club opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over newly promoted Inter Lagos but subsequently suffered setbacks, including defeats to Plateau United, Warri Wolves and Enyimba.

A 2-0 home victory over Katsina United offered some encouragement, but the team struggled to maintain that momentum.

The 4-2 defeat away to Enyimba was particularly damaging, before consecutive goalless draws against Nasarawa United and Kano Pillars further heightened concerns over the team’s attacking output.

The stalemate against Kano Pillars at the Lekan Salami Stadium on October 7 proved a flashpoint. Frustrated supporters gathered outside the stadium and called for Yusuf’s dismissal, with some also demanding Aweroro’s return.

Following the Kano Pillars fixture, Shooting Stars had eight points from seven league matches and occupied 13th position, according to reports on the NPFL standings.

The run of results has left the club searching for consistency at a time when supporters expected another strong campaign after last season’s achievements.

Aweroro’s legacy raises the pressure on Yusuf

The comparison with Aweroro has become central to the growing discontent surrounding Yusuf’s tenure.

Aweroro guided Shooting Stars to third place in the 2025/26 NPFL season, accumulating 60 points from 38 matches and securing the club’s return to continental football after a 27-year absence.

His achievement raised expectations in Ibadan, with supporters hoping the team would build on that foundation and compete strongly in the new campaign.

At the corresponding stage of last season, Shooting Stars had collected 11 points and occupied fifth position. Under Yusuf, the team had eight points and sat 13th following the rescheduled Kano Pillars match.

That difference has intensified questions about the direction of the team and whether the current technical setup can deliver the progress supporters anticipated.

Although the two campaigns have unfolded under different circumstances, the contrast in points and league positions provides a measurable basis for the concerns among fans.

Aweroro’s departure before the new season began was officially described as a mutual agreement. The club subsequently appointed Yusuf, an experienced Nigerian coach whose previous roles included work with several domestic clubs and the country’s national teams.

Yusuf was expected to bring tactical expertise, strong leadership and a winning mentality to a side preparing for both domestic competition and a return to African football.

So far, however, results have failed to provide the reassurance supporters are seeking.

Yusuf must restore confidence

The challenge facing Yusuf goes beyond improving Shooting Stars’ position on the league table. He must also convince supporters that the team can rediscover the consistency and competitive edge that characterised Aweroro’s successful campaign.

The consecutive goalless draws against Nasarawa United and Kano Pillars have increased scrutiny of the team’s attacking effectiveness, while the defeats away to Warri Wolves and Enyimba have exposed the difficulty of sustaining positive results.

With expectations elevated by last season’s third-place finish, patience among sections of the fan base appears to be diminishing.

Nevertheless, the club’s warning against unruly behaviour makes clear that protests must not cross the line into threats, intimidation or abuse of personnel.

Shooting Stars now face two connected challenges: restoring discipline and calm around the club while producing the results needed to rebuild supporters’ confidence.

For Yusuf, the coming fixtures will be important opportunities to demonstrate that the team can recover from its difficult start and challenge more strongly in the NPFL.

For the management, the priority will be to protect the club’s personnel and maintain stability while addressing legitimate concerns about performances.

The immediate question is whether Shooting Stars can turn their season around quickly enough to ease the pressure on Yusuf and convince an increasingly impatient fan base that the progress achieved under Aweroro has not been lost.