Veteran coach Salisu Yusuf, former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, has formally departed Nasarawa United to take up a managerial role at a top-tier club in Benin Republic. The 63 year old tactician is reportedly aiming to win the league title in his new environment.
Yusuf successfully guided Nasarawa to league safety during the 2024/25 NPFL campaign and steered the team to the Federation Cup quarter-finals before opting for the West African move. His decision marks the first time he coaches professionally outside Nigeria.
Known for his tactical discipline and deep domestic experience, Yusuf arrives in Benin with clear ambitions—not merely to establish stability, but to push for championship success in a league where Nairobi-based rivals often dominate.
Editorial
Salisu Yusuf’s switch to a Beninese club underscores an optimistic phase in his career. Instead of remaining in familiar Nigerian surroundings, he has embraced a fresh challenge abroad, demonstrating ambition beyond comfort—a trait often lost among coaches in the region.
At Nasarawa United, Yusuf earned respect for keeping a club under pressure afloat. Now, in Benin, he won’t just be preventing collapse he’ll be expected to build supremacy. Leading a team towards a title in a foreign league demands adaptability, cultural understanding, and strategic clarity.
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The move also speaks to a growing trend: Nigeria’s coaching talent finding opportunities across West Africa. For Beninese football, it’s a statement of intent securing a coach with continental pedigree and NPFL experience signals ambition, not just attendance.
If Yusuf can translate his track record into tangible success, he won’t just enhance his resume he’ll set a template for cross-border coaching impact. We see this as a step forward, not sideways and one that could reshape perceptions on both sides of the border.
Did You Know?
- Salisu Yusuf has served as Super Eagles assistant coach, part of the technical staff during international campaigns in the past decade.
- He joined Nasarawa United midway through the 2024/25 season, leading them from relegation danger into mid-table safety.
- Yusuf previously managed in the NPFL with Kano Pillars and Gombe United, offering over two decades of domestic top-flight experience.
- This is his first professional coaching role outside Nigeria, marking a significant expansion in his career trajectory.
- Salisu is one of the few Nigerian coaches to cross borders into Francophone West Africa, a pathway still limited for Nigerian football management.
