Shooting Stars Coach Confident After First Win of the Season

Shooting Stars head coach Salisu Yusuf believes his team will improve after starting their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season with a tough 2-1 win over newly promoted Inter Lagos at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Friday.

The Oluyole Warriors took all three points in a lively first match that saw three goals and two penalties in the first half. After the break, both teams found it hard to create good chances.

Shooting Stars started strong, taking the lead in the 11th minute. Lucky Emmanuel raced into the box to meet a flick from a throw-in and shot low into the goalkeeper’s right corner to give the hosts the lead.

Inter Lagos responded midway through the first half, making history in the process. Captain Uchenna Njoku scored the club’s first-ever NPFL goal. He finished into an empty net after Adigun Damilare made an impressive run and found him with a precise pass across the goal.

The joy for the newly promoted side was short-lived. Shooting Stars regained the lead just before half-time when they were awarded a penalty. Sodiq Ibrahim stepped up and scored, sending the hosts into the break with a 2-1 lead.

After the restart, the pace of the game dropped. Chances became rare as Shooting Stars focused on maintaining their lead. Substitute Qamar Adejoke brought fresh energy to the home side and earned another penalty late in the game, giving Shooting Stars a chance to extend their lead.

But fellow substitute Adams Mustapha hit the post, leaving the visitors to escape a late scare. Shooting Stars held on to secure a winning start and give their new coach a good beginning to the season.

Despite the close win, Salisu was confident his team can do even better as they grow under his guidance. "It’s step by step. I think we will play better than this with every match. We’ve been together for a short time, and we have this result. If we have one month, you can imagine what to expect," Salisu said after the game.

“They will continue to improve. That is my belief.”

The Ibadan team will soon shift focus to continental football, as Shooting Stars will face Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round next week in Abeokuta.

For Inter Lagos, their first NPFL game ended in defeat, but the club can take positives from Njoku’s historic goal as they prepare for their first home match against Doma United next weekend.

For Shooting Stars, the main goal now is to build on Friday’s win and carry that momentum into their continental campaign.