Salisu turns to CAF Confed Cup after opening win

Shooting Stars coach Salisu Yusuf has shifted his attention to the CAF Confederation Cup after his side opened their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter Lagos at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Goals from Lucky Emmanuel and Sodiq Ibrahim secured all three points for the Oluyole Warriors, who recorded their first opening-day victory in three years.

Lucky opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Inter Lagos captain Uchenna Njoku equalised seven minutes later.

Shooting Stars continued to push for a second goal, with Desmond and Lucky Emmanuel both coming close before the hosts regained their lead on the stroke of half-time. Lucky was brought down inside the box, and Sodiq Ibrahim converted the resulting penalty to send Shooting Stars into the break ahead.

The hosts held on in the second half to begin the new season with a win, but Yusuf believes the game will also help his players build their match fitness ahead of their continental clash against CS Sfaxien on Saturday in Abeokuta.

“We are going to play on the continent next in Abeokuta, and our focus is there at the moment. We will see how we can get the team to play better than this,” Yusuf said.

“This game will give them more match fitness, and that will help us in our next game.”

Shooting Stars will now turn their attention to the CAF Confederation Cup, with Yusuf also hinting at the addition of former Rivers United goalkeeper Victor Sochima to their squad for the continental campaign.

“Sochima trained with us and he brings good experience that can help the team,” the coach said.