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CAFCC: Salisu Yusuf ruins missed chances as Shooting Stars take slim lead vs Sfaxien
Shooting Stars head coach Salisu Yusuf has expressed disappointment with his side’s failure to convert their numerous chances after the Oluyole Warriors secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie in Abeokuta on Saturday.
The victory marked Shooting Stars’ return to continental football after a 27-year absence, but Yusuf believes his players should have put the tie beyond the reach of their North African opponents with a more clinical display in front of goal.
“The game was tactical. They tried to play long balls. We tried to score more goals to no avail,” Yusuf said after the match.
“The game was supposed to have finished three to four-nil.”
Despite his frustration, the experienced coach praised his players for their organisation and coordination, particularly during a dominant first-half display.
“We played a very coordinated game in the first half. The pressure was more in the second half. We created more goal-scoring opportunities in the first half than the second,” he explained.
Shooting Stars created opportunities at both ends of the first and second halves but were unable to add to their advantage, leaving them with a slender lead to defend in the return fixture in Tunisia.
Yusuf, however, insists his team will not approach the second leg with a purely defensive mentality, stressing that the players must travel with confidence and a positive mindset.
“We are not playing the same way we played here in Tunisia. It is all about the mindset,” he said.
“We need to defend the win to give the team confidence,” he added.
The Shooting Stars coach also pointed to the team’s limited competitive preparation, noting that the clash with Sfaxien was only their second competitive match of the new season.
“This is the second match of the season. The way we train now is not the way they trained before,” Yusuf said.
With the return leg expected to present a significantly tougher challenge, Yusuf believes tactical discipline and mental strength will be crucial if Shooting Stars are to secure a favourable result in Tunisia.
“In the second leg, we are approaching it with a positive attitude to be able to get the results. If the players can tactically play according to instructions, we will get a good result there,” he stated.
He further highlighted the psychological demands of facing North African opposition.
“Playing North Africans is all about mindset. As far as we can create more goal-scoring opportunities, I believe we can get a good result,” Yusuf said.
The match also carried special significance for Shooting Stars, who were making their first appearance in continental competition in 27 years.
Yusuf acknowledged the contribution of the supporters, whose presence in Abeokuta helped inspire the players to victory.
“27 years back on the continent was a very long time. We appreciate the supporters and everyone that came out. It gave the boys courage to play this game,” he said.
The coach also emphasised the importance of building the squad psychologically, drawing confidence from previous encounters against teams with greater continental pedigree.
“It depends on how one builds the team psychologically. We have played teams that have more pedigree than this and have won. I believe we can get a good result in Tunisia,” Yusuf added.
Shooting Stars captain Daniel Falke shared his coach’s optimism, insisting that the team will travel to Tunisia with the determination to complete the job.
“We are very happy with the win. I believe we are going to Tunisia to fight and get a good result,” Falke said.
The 1-0 victory gives Shooting Stars a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg, although CS Sfaxien will have home support behind them in Tunisia.
For Yusuf and his players, the task is now to combine the confidence gained from their winning continental return with greater efficiency and the tactical discipline required to withstand the pressure of the second leg.
After 27 years away from Africa, Shooting Stars have made a winning return. They now need one more disciplined performance in Tunisia to keep their continental campaign alive.
