Ibadan, Nigeria — Supporters of Shooting Stars have called for the return of former head coach Nurudeen Aweroro and demanded changes to the club’s technical setup as the Oluyole Warriors continue to struggle at the start of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
The growing frustration among the fans follows a disappointing run of results under Salisu Yusuf, who replaced Aweroro shortly before the start of the campaign.
Sections of the Shooting Stars supporters expressed their anger in a video made available to BSN Sports, with some calling for Yusuf’s dismissal and urging the club to bring back the coach who guided them to third place last season.
Aweroro left after historic campaign
Aweroro departed Shooting Stars in August after the club reached a mutual agreement with the coach and members of his technical team to end their contracts.
The decision came just weeks after Aweroro had overseen one of the most successful campaigns in recent years for the Ibadan club.
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Shooting Stars finished third in the 2025/26 NPFL season with 60 points from 38 matches, securing continental football for the first time in 27 years.
The club officially acknowledged Aweroro’s contribution to that achievement when announcing his departure.
Sharp decline under Yusuf
Shooting Stars' early-season performance has failed to match the standards set under Aweroro.
After seven league matches this season, the Oluyole Warriors have collected seven points, compared with the 11 points they had accumulated at the corresponding stage last season.
The difference has also been reflected in their position on the table, with Shooting Stars currently sitting in the lower reaches of the NPFL standings.
The club's struggles have been compounded by their early elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup, where they were knocked out by Tunisia's CS Sfaxien in the preliminary round.
Fans' frustration grows after Kano Pillars draw
The calls for change intensified following Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Kano Pillars at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
Shooting Stars created few clear-cut opportunities, with Friday Ubong's ninth-minute header, which was cleared off the line, representing one of their best chances of the match.
The result extended their winless run and left supporters increasingly unhappy with the team's performances.
Kano Pillars, meanwhile, earned their first point away to Shooting Stars in nine years and extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.
Yusuf under increasing pressure
Yusuf arrived at Shooting Stars with considerable experience, having previously worked with Kano Pillars, Rangers International and Enyimba, as well as Nigeria's national teams.
The club appointed him after Aweroro's departure, citing his experience, understanding of Nigerian football and ability to develop local talent.
However, the poor start has placed the experienced tactician under increasing pressure.
Before the Kano Pillars match, Yusuf acknowledged the team's difficult beginning and urged supporters to remain patient, insisting there was still plenty of time to turn the campaign around.
“What we are asking from the fans is their understanding. Things are going to be fine.”
He also pointed to the long season ahead and the importance of finishing strongly rather than focusing solely on the team's early position.
Aweroro's success raises expectations
The supporters' calls for Aweroro's return are largely driven by the stark contrast between his final season and Shooting Stars' current campaign.
Under Aweroro, the club not only secured a third-place NPFL finish, but also ended a 27-year wait for continental football.
His departure was therefore always going to leave significant expectations on whoever succeeded him.
For Yusuf, the immediate challenge is to reverse Shooting Stars' fortunes, restore confidence among the supporters and lift the Oluyole Warriors away from the lower reaches of the table.
Whether the club's hierarchy will respond to the supporters' calls for Aweroro's return remains to be seen, but the pressure surrounding Yusuf is clearly increasing after a difficult opening to the campaign.
