Sports
Salisu Yusuf: Shooting Stars Players Quickly Adapting To My Philosophy
Shooting Stars head coach Salisu Yusuf has praised his players for their quick adaptation to his tactical philosophy after guiding the Oluyole Warriors to a 2-1 victory over Inter Lagos in their opening match of the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2026/2027 season.
Speaking in a post-match interview Yusuf also commended the atmosphere at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, describing it as a proper football environment driven by the passion of the supporters and commitment of the club’s stakeholders.
“The atmosphere was good. It was a proper football atmosphere where you could see the passion and love the fans have for the team, as well as the commitment of the various stakeholders in charge of the club,” Yusuf said.
The experienced tactician, who had only joined the team about a week before their opening fixture, believes significant progress is already being made in how the players approach matches.
According to him, the players are beginning to control games better and circulate the ball more effectively, a key component of his coaching philosophy.
“Yes. The players are now able to control games better compared to what they played last season. They are circulating the ball more effectively, which is vital to my coaching philosophy. I believe that within a short period, the players will be able to perform at an even higher standard,” he added.
Attention now turns to a major continental assignment as Shooting Stars prepare to face Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in Abeokuta. The encounter will mark a historic return of continental football to the city after 27 years.
Yusuf revealed that he intends to trust the same group of players who featured against Inter Lagos, expressing confidence in their individual and collective abilities.
He was particularly pleased with the team’s tactical response after conceding an equaliser. While Inter Lagos created several attacking opportunities down the left side after restoring parity, Yusuf said his players successfully addressed the problem after the interval.
“In the second half, they had no such opportunities. The players were quick to adapt to the tactical instructions, and that made me very happy,” he concluded.
Real Madrid boss José Mourinho has weighed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic retirement from international football.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr striker shocked the footballing world on Thursday by announcing his permanent withdrawal from the Portugal national team, drawing the curtain on a legendary 23-year international career.
Addressing the media fallout during his Friday press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s upcoming LALIGA fixture against Valencia, Mourinho offered a supportive perspective on the situation.
Mourinho, who previously managed Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabéu, insisted that the veteran’s controversial exit should not overshadow his monumental contributions to the country.
“His decision must be respected, and I do respect it,” Mourinho daid
However, the Portuguese tactician also expressed visible regret over the sour circumstances surrounding the departure of his nation’s greatest-ever player.
“The only thing I wish for is that the moment of his retirement as a player will be different from his farewell yesterday,” the Real Madrid boss added.
While Ronaldo’s international days are officially over, Mourinho was incredibly quick to remind reporters that the forward remains a devastating force in domestic football.
“He hasn’t ended his career; those who know him are aware that he still has goals,” Mourinho stated emphatically.
Kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Bursaspor played out a 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor in their TFF 1. Lig encounter on Friday night.
The Nigeria international had previously scored in 12 consecutive league matches for Bursaspor before his remarkable scoring run came to an end against Bandırmaspor last weekend
Iheanacho restored his scoring touch by opening the scoring against Antalyaspor in the 26th minute.
However, an own goal from Tural Bayramov brought the visitors level before the half-time break.
The striker has now recorded an impressive 17 goals and four assists in 14 league appearances for Bursaspor this season.
Despite dropping points, Bursaspor remain top of the league standings with 37 points
England manager Thomas Tuchel has left Cole Palmer and Phil Foden out of his latest squad for the final Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
However, Jobe Bellingham and Fulham midfielder Josh King have received their first senior call-ups.
Tuchel said Palmer had missed too many opportunities to represent England, despite scoring five goals and providing three assists for Chelsea this season.
Jobe Bellingham joins his elder brother, Jude, in the squad after impressing at Borussia Dortmund.
King also earns his first call-up following a strong start to the season, with two goals and one assist in the Premier League.
Defender Ben White returns to the squad for the first time since March, while Declan Rice is also back after missing the previous camp through injury.
Djed Spence has also returned after recovering from injury.
England will host Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before travelling to Madrid to face Spain three days later.
Tuchel’s side are second in Group A4, three points behind leaders Spain. The top two teams will qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.
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