Shooting Stars head coach Salisu Yusuf has admitted that his team deserved to lose following their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Kun Khalifat in Matchday 8 of the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Sports247 reports that the experienced tactician expressed frustration with his side’s defensive organisation, acknowledging that Kun Khalifat were the better team and deserved maximum points from the encounter.
Speaking after the match, Yusuf offered a frank assessment of Shooting Stars’ performance, admitting that his players struggled defensively and failed to match the intensity of their opponents.
“The opponents deserved to win. They played better and defended well. We didn’t play well, and we defended poorly. That’s why we lost the game,” Yusuf said.
Kun Khalifat capitalised on Shooting Stars’ defensive shortcomings to secure an important victory, with Agor Chukwuma opening the scoring in the 40th minute before Uche doubled the advantage in the 63rd minute.
The two goals ensured that Shooting Stars left the encounter empty-handed, raising questions about the team’s defensive stability as the league campaign progresses.
For Yusuf, who recently took charge of the team, the defeat provided an early indication of the challenges facing him as he seeks to improve Shooting Stars’ performances.
The coach revealed that he has already identified the defensive department as an area requiring urgent attention.
“I have just joined the team, and we have to take a closer look at the defensive line. It is very disturbing,” he admitted.
His comments suggest that strengthening the team’s defensive structure will be a major priority as he continues to assess his squad and implement his tactical approach.
The defeat also highlighted the importance of maintaining defensive concentration throughout matches, particularly against opponents capable of capitalising on mistakes.
While Shooting Stars struggled to impose themselves, Kun Khalifat demonstrated greater efficiency, taking their opportunities and maintaining the defensive discipline required to protect their advantage.
For the Ibadan-based club, the immediate challenge will be to respond positively and address the weaknesses identified by their new coach.
Yusuf’s experience will be crucial as he works towards improving the team’s organisation, restoring confidence and ensuring that Shooting Stars become more competitive in subsequent fixtures.
With the EuroMatch NPFL season gathering momentum, the coach will be hoping his players respond to the setback with greater determination and improved defensive performances.
For Salisu Yusuf, the message after the defeat was clear: Shooting Stars must improve defensively if they are to return to winning ways.
