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Nigeria Premier Football League

Shooting Stars appoint Salisu Yusuf as Head coach ahead of the new NPFL season

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2 weeks ago

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Shooting Stars have appointed experienced Nigerian coach Salisu Yusuf as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 Premier 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 and the 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 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 , and .

He has also held several positions within the national-team setup, including roles with the 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 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 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 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.

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Nigeria Premier Football League

Sporting Lagos Retain Buter Ahead of NPFL Return

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5 days ago

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August 23, 2026

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Sporting Lagos have officially extended head coach Jeffery Buter’s contract ahead of the 2026/27 () season. This strategic decision keeps the English manager at the helm as the club prepares for its long-awaited return to ‘s top-flight competition. By securing Buter’s future, the club ensures stability and continuity for a squad eager to make an impact after a period of transition.

Building a Sustainable Future for Sporting Lagos

Buter’s contract renewal follows a highly successful 2025/26 campaign where he guided to the () title. This major achievement secured the club’s promotion back to the NPFL, ending a two-year absence from the top division following their relegation in 2024. The promotion marked a significant turnaround for a team that had invested heavily in its developmental infrastructure.

The English coach assumed responsibility for the senior team in 2025. Before this appointment, he gained internal experience while serving as an academy coach and assistant within the organization. This deep familiarity with the club’s philosophy proved vital. His first full season in charge resulted in the club’s first NNL title, showcasing his ability to translate academy principles into tangible senior-level success.

Pre-season Momentum and Tactical Growth

Sporting Lagos has carried their winning momentum into the current pre-season. Sporting Lagos notably triumphed in the held in Ikenne, completing the tournament without suffering a single defeat. They secured the trophy by defeating 2-1 in the final match, with Aliyu Baba and providing the winning goals. This victory has naturally increased expectations among supporters.

Despite the optimism generated by recent success, Buter remains grounded regarding the challenges of a full NPFL season. He emphasized that the focus must remain on the long-term demands of a grueling 38-game schedule. Following the Cup, Buter noted that while fans have every right to dream about success this season, the squad must remain disciplined and prepared for the intensity of elite competition.

Commitment to Youth Development

Beyond tournament results, Buter’s tenure is characterized by a strong commitment to integrating young players into the first team. During the promotion-winning campaign, the club successfully registered 10 academy players. This initiative highlights the organization’s philosophy of developing homegrown talent while simultaneously competing for major domestic honours, ensuring a steady pipeline of players for the professional ranks.

This pathway has already yielded significant success for the club’s recruitment model. Academy graduate Seun Akanji played an essential role in the team’s promotion success before earning a high-profile move to the Norwegian top-flight club Lillestrøm. This validates the club’s strategy and encourages current academy players to see a clear, tangible route to both professional development and potential international opportunities.

Buter’s new agreement represents more than just continuity on the touchline. It allows the management to maintain a consistent project centered on promotion, youth development, and long-term domestic success. As the club prepares to face Nigeria’s elite sides once again, the decision to retain the manager provides the necessary leadership to bridge the gap between second-tier dominance and top-flight sustainability.

The road ahead begins with a challenging opening fixture for Sporting Lagos. They are scheduled to kick off their 2026/27 NPFL campaign with an away match against on August 30. Following that, the team will host fellow Lagos club Ikorodu City for their first home match of the season. These initial tests will reveal how well the squad has adapted to the increased pace of the professional league.

For the supporters known as the Noisy Lagosians, the challenge has shifted significantly. Promotion has been secured, the NNL title is in the trophy cabinet, and the ValueJet Cup has been added to their pre-season achievements. The next objective is to establish the club as a permanent feature of the NPFL landscape. The coming months will determine if they can successfully convert their momentum into a sustained presence among Nigeria’s top-flight teams.

The post Sporting Lagos Retain Buter Ahead of NPFL Return appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

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