Shooting Stars head coach Salisu Yusuf has promised an attacking approach when his team faces CS Sfaxien in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie in Tunisia.
The Oluyole Warriors secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta. However, Yusuf wants his players to remain positive as they look to complete the job away from home.
The result marked a memorable return to continental football for Shooting Stars. The Ibadan club ended a 27 year wait for African club football with their first continental appearance since 1999.
Shooting Stars started the match with confidence and quickly put CS Sfaxien under pressure. Their positive approach paid off in the 26th minute when Lucky Emmanuel found the breakthrough goal.
The Tunisian side responded strongly after the interval. CS Sfaxien increased the pressure and launched a sustained attack on the Shooting Stars defence as they searched for an equaliser.
Salisu Yusuf Wants Shooting Stars to Stay Positive
Despite the intense pressure, the Shooting Stars goalkeeper produced a series of outstanding saves to protect the clean sheet. As a result, the Nigerian side secured a valuable advantage before the return fixture.
Yusuf, however, knows the one goal lead leaves little room for comfort. He admitted that Shooting Stars had opportunities to create a bigger advantage before the final whistle.
The return leg in Tunisia will therefore present a tougher challenge, with CS Sfaxien set to enjoy home support. Nevertheless, Yusuf expects his players to show courage and maintain their attacking intent.
“We won’t be going to Tunisia just to defend our lead,” Salisu Yusuf said after the match.
Shooting Stars will now prepare for a decisive second leg that could determine whether their long awaited return to African competition continues. The Oluyole Warriors must combine attacking ambition with defensive discipline if they want to secure progress against CS Sfaxien.
