The veteran coach says an owner’s change of plans, not a dispute, ended his spell in Benin before he returned to Nigeria for the Oluyole Warriors.
Want our football coverage to show up first?
Add FootballInNigeria as a preferred source and our stories get a "Preferred" badge in your Google Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode results.
Shooting Stars technical adviser Salisu Yusuf says he left Benin Republic club Coton FC by mutual agreement before returning to Nigeria. As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, the 64-year-old made the comments before his side lost 2-0 to Kun Khalifat in Owerri in Matchday 8.
Yusuf signed a two year deal with Coton FC ahead of the 2025/26 season, shortly after saving Nasarawa United from relegation in the 2024/25 NPFL. He left after what he described as a successful campaign.
He confirmed the initial two-year contract but said, “I left them by mutual agreement.”
No Dispute At Coton FC
Yusuf said he enjoyed a good relationship with the club’s hierarchy and worked in a healthy environment. His exit, he stressed, wasn’t the result of any disagreement.
The change came from the top. Coton FC is owned by Lionel Talon, the eldest son of former Benin president Patrice Talon, and the owner decided against running the club at a high-profile level after Patrice Talon left office in May 2026.
NPFL followers who enjoy forecasting can play Super9ja on Bet9ja alongside the weekend’s games.
Why Shooting Stars
Several NPFL clubs showed interest once Yusuf returned home, though he didn’t name them. He chose Shooting Stars, the five time NPFL champions from Ibadan.
Shooting Stars named him technical adviser on August 14, replacing Nurudeen Aweroro. They had finished third in the NPFL last season, and Yusuf’s first big task was the CAF Confederation Cup.
His side won the first leg against CS Sfaxien 1-0 in Abeokuta, in the club’s first continental game for 27 years. They lost the return leg 2-0 in Tunisia and went out 2-1 on aggregate.
Fans following Shooting Stars’ campaign can also check the Bet9ja promotion code on offer before the next round.
The Job Ahead
Matchday 8 brought a 2-0 defeat to Kun Khalifat, so Yusuf has work to do. Is his experience enough to lift results quickly? His record suggests he has the pedigree.
That record includes guiding the home based Super Eagles to the 2018 CHAN final, where they lost to hosts Morocco. He began his managerial career at Nasarawa United in 2002 and has also worked with Kano Pillars, Rangers and Enyimba.
Anyone tracking the NPFL table can also look at the YOHAIG sign-up promotion before the next round.
Shooting Stars face Ranchers Bees on October 18, with kick-off listed for 16:00. A strong response would be a welcome answer to the Kun Khalifat result.
📌 Did You Know?
- Yusuf has served as an assistant coach of the Super Eagles and has also been in charge of the Super Eagles B team and Nigeria’s U-23 side.
- Coton FC remains in Benin’s top division, but it now works more as a talent identification and development academy.
- Emmanuel Lucky scored the only goal of the first leg against CS Sfaxien, after a clever move from Desmond Ojietefian.
- Shooting Stars played that home leg at the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, not in Ibadan.
- Kun Khalifat, who beat Shooting Stars 2-0, had lost 4-2 to Enugu Rangers on September 20.
