Nigeria Premier Football League
Shooting Stars appoint Salisu Yusuf as Head coach ahead of the new NPFL season
Shooting Stars have appointed experienced Nigerian coach Salisu Yusuf as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
The 64-year-old replaces Aweroro and will lead the Ibadan club into a campaign that will see them compete in both the NPFL and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Yusuf returns to the Nigerian top flight with extensive experience at club and international level, having previously worked with several of the country’s leading teams and national sides.
His appointment gives Shooting Stars an experienced coach as the club prepares for the demands of a season that will combine domestic and continental football.
A coach with extensive experience
Yusuf has built a long coaching career in Nigerian football, working with clubs including Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Enugu Rangers.
He has also held several positions within the national-team setup, including roles with the Super Eagles and Nigeria’s age-grade teams.
The experienced coach was part of the Super Eagles’ technical crew during Nigeria’s successful qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and has also served as interim head coach of the senior national team.
His experience extends beyond Nigeria, giving him exposure to different football environments and competitions.
That background could prove valuable as he begins his latest assignment with Shooting Stars.
A demanding campaign ahead
Yusuf’s appointment comes with a significant challenge.
Shooting Stars will have to compete on two fronts, with their NPFL campaign running alongside their CAF Confederation Cup commitments.
The continental competition will take the Ibadan club beyond Nigeria, exposing the team to different opponents and playing environments across Africa.
Managing that schedule will require squad depth, tactical flexibility and careful planning from the new coach.
For Shooting Stars, continental football also presents an opportunity to build on the club’s history and strengthen its profile beyond Nigerian football.
Yusuf will therefore be expected to build a team capable of competing consistently in the NPFL while also adapting to the demands of African club competition.
A new chapter in Ibadan
The appointment marks a new chapter for Shooting Stars as the club prepares to move into the new season under a different coach.
For Yusuf, it represents another opportunity to demonstrate his experience in Nigerian football and compete for success at both domestic and continental level.
The coach has previously emphasised his commitment to contributing to Nigerian football.
“I always welcome the challenge to serve the country and give my quota to the development of the game in Nigeria,” Yusuf said during his time with the Super Eagles.
Now, his focus shifts to Shooting Stars.
The club will hope his experience can help create a competitive side capable of challenging in the NPFL while making an impact in the CAF Confederation Cup.
With preparations for the new season underway, Yusuf’s appointment provides Shooting Stars with an experienced hand to lead the team into what promises to be a demanding campaign.
The post Shooting Stars appoint Salisu Yusuf as Head coach ahead of the new NPFL season appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
Nigeria Premier Football League
Sporting Lagos honour captain Solomon Uloko after 50 appearances
Sporting Lagos have honoured captain Solomon Uloko with a commemorative plaque after he reached 50 appearances for the club during their Lagos derby against Ikorodu City, Made In Africa Sport reports.
The defender was presented with the plaque before Sporting Lagos‘ Nigeria Premier Football League match against Bendel Insurance on Sunday, October 12, 2026, which they won 2–1 at home.
According to a statement on the club’s website, the milestone reflects Uloko’s growing influence since joining the club, both as a regular presence in the team and as its captain.
Uloko established himself as a regular member of the Sporting Lagos squad last season, making 18 league appearances and playing 1,755 minutes throughout the campaign.
His consistent involvement has made him an important figure in the team’s defensive setup as the Lagos-based club continue their push in Nigerian football.
The defender’s contribution has extended beyond his performances on the pitch, with his leadership role growing during the previous campaign.
From Sporting Lagos regular starter to club captain
Uloko took over the captaincy midway through last season following the departure of Abdulraheem Suleman.
He embraced the responsibility and played a key role in Sporting Lagos’ promotion campaign, including scoring a brace against Doma United in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 4.
His appointment as captain marked another step in his development at the club, with the defender becoming an increasingly prominent figure within the squad.
The presentation before the Bendel Insurance match gave Sporting Lagos an opportunity to acknowledge Uloko’s contribution in front of the club’s supporters.
The occasion ended on a positive note as Sporting Lagos secured their third victory of the season.
The win provided an additional boost for the team as they continued their survival in the top flight, moving to eighth place on the NPFL log with 12 points from eight games.
The post Sporting Lagos honour captain Solomon Uloko after 50 appearances appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
Nigeria Premier Football League
NPFL: Plateau end Pillars’ unbeaten run as Wolves deepen Inter Lagos’ woes
Plateau United delivered the standout result of 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday eight, thrashing Kano Pillars 4–0 at the New Jos Stadium, while Warri Wolves beat Inter Lagos 3–1 at the Southern Delta University Stadium on Sunday, Made In Africa Sport reports.
The weekend’s fixtures produced seven home victories and three draws across ten matches, with no away team claiming maximum points.
Katsina United, Ikorodu City, Kun Khalifat, Nasarawa United and Sporting Lagos also recorded victories, while table toppers Enugu Rangers and Rivers United dropped points in draws.
Plateau United punish Kano Pillars
Plateau United recorded the biggest victory of the NPFL round, dismantling Kano Pillars 4–0 to end the visitors’ unbeaten run.
Paul Samson opened the scoring after just three minutes, giving the hosts an early advantage.
Kano Pillars struggled to contain Plateau United, with Dayo Ojo doubling the lead in first-half stoppage time.
The hosts maintained their pressure after the break, and Samuel Ayanrinde made it 3–0 in the 82nd minute. Nenrot Silas then converted a penalty in the 90th minute to complete the rout.
The result was a major setback for Daniel Ogunmodede‘s side, who left Jos without scoring and ended their unbeaten start to the season, while the emphatic home victory propelled the Peace Boys to third with 14 points.
Warri Wolves deepen Inter Lagos’ NPFL woes
Warri Wolves grabbed a 3–1 victory over Inter Lagos, adding to the visitors’ difficult start to life in the top flight.
Emmanuel Aribogba netted twice for the Seasiders in the encounter.
It was initially looking like a close game when Aribogba’s 32nd-minute goal was cancelled by John Danga’s strike for Inter five minutes before the break.
The Pride of Lagos had already faced a disciplinary hurdle which saw the league body deducting three points and three goals for infractions against Katsina United.
This loss in Ozoro leaves them with more work to do as they remain rooted to the bottom of the NPFL with two points out of possible 24.
More home victories on Sunday
Sunday’s other matches saw Sporting Lagos beat Bendel Insurance 2–1, Kun Khalifat defeat Shooting Stars 2–0 and Nasarawa United overcome Doma United by the same scoreline.
Abia Warriors and Rivers United also shared the points after a goalless draw, allowing Rivers United to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
Barau FC and Rangers played out a 2–2 draw, with both sides settling for a point and ensuring the Flying Antelopes hold on to the top spot with 17 points, one ahead of Finidi George‘s Rivers.
Katsina United had earlier opened the weekend with a 4–2 victory over Enyimba at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Friday in what ended as the joint highest-scoring match this season.
The result dealt another blow to Enyimba, the nine-time Nigerian champions, who have now dropped to 19th after eight matches.
On Saturday, Ikorodu City defeated Kwara United 2–0. Farouk Salami opened the scoring in the second minute before Ikechukwu Junior doubled the lead in the 36th minute, while Ranchers Bees and Niger Tornadoes played out a goalless draw in the other Saturday fixture.
The post NPFL: Plateau end Pillars’ unbeaten run as Wolves deepen Inter Lagos’ woes appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
Nigeria Premier Football League
NPFL Matchday 8: Rangers, Rivers face tough away tests
NPFL Matchday 8: Ikorodu City, Rivers United face tough tests
The NPFL Matchday 8 fixtures promise an intriguing weekend of Nigerian football, with Ikorodu City hosting Kwara United, Rivers United travelling to Abia Warriors and Shooting Stars facing newly promoted Kun Khalifat.
The eighth round of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season also features a meeting between Katsina United and Enyimba International on Friday, October 9.
NPFL Matchday 8 Opens With Katsina United vs Enyimba
Weekend football begins at 5pm on Friday when Katsina United welcome Enyimba International. The encounter gives both sides an opportunity to make a statement, with the hosts hoping to use home advantage to their benefit against one of Nigerian football’s most decorated clubs.
Enyimba would look to continue on their mini resurgence and will need a disciplined performance to negotiate the encounter, while Katsina United will be eager to make their home support count.
Ikorodu City welcome Kwara United
Saturday’s action starts at 4pm as Ikorodu City host Kwara United in a fixture that could test the ambitions of both sides.
Ikorodu City will look to make the most of playing at home, using their familiarity with the surroundings to put pressure on their visitors. Kwara United, meanwhile, will aim to frustrate the hosts and leave with a positive result.
The other Saturday fixture sees Ranchers Bees take on Niger Tornadoes, also at 4pm. Ranchers Bees will hope to make home advantage count, but Niger Tornadoes will arrive with their own plans to secure points from the encounter.
Rivers United Face Abia Warriors
Sunday brings the bulk of the action, with Rivers United travelling to face Abia Warriors at 4pm.
The Port Harcourt side will be keen to deliver a strong away performance, but Abia Warriors could prove difficult opponents on home soil. The hosts will have an opportunity to disrupt Rivers United’s rhythm and turn the contest into a demanding afternoon for the visitors.
Another interesting fixture sees Shooting Stars travel to face Kun Khalifat. Shooting Stars who have not gotten a point in the road this season and have a shaky start to the season will be expected to approach the encounter with ambition, while bottom side Kun Khalifat will be determined to compete strongly against the Ibadan-based side.
Rangers, Kano Pillars in Action
Defending champions, Rangers International travel to face Barau FC, while Kano Pillars visit Plateau United. Both fixtures could produce intriguing tests, with the home sides looking to capitalise on familiar conditions.
Nasarawa United host Doma United in another Sunday encounter. Both teams will be aware of the importance of collecting points consistently, particularly at this stage of the season when a strong run can improve a club’s standing.
Warri Wolves also welcome Inter Lagos, with both sides seeking a positive result. Meanwhile, Sporting Lagos host Bendel Insurance in a potentially competitive contest between teams hoping to make progress in the league
Points Up for Grabs
With fixtures spread across three days, NPFL Matchday 8 offers opportunities for clubs to strengthen their hold on the standings. Home advantage could be important, but the away sides will be looking to upset expectations and take valuable points on the road.
The post NPFL Matchday 8: Rangers, Rivers face tough away tests appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
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