Shooting Stars head coach Salisu Yusuf says his team left goals on the pitch after beating Tunisian side CS Sfaxien 1-0 in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg on Saturday.
The victory marked the Oluyole Warriors’ return to continental football after a 27-year absence, but Yusuf believes the scoreline flattered the visitors.
Speaking after the match in Abeokuta, the experienced coach said 3SC created enough to win by a much bigger margin.
“The game was tactical. They tried to play long balls. We tried to score more goals to no avail,” Yusuf said.
“The game was supposed to have finished three to four-nil.”
Despite the wastefulness in front of goal, Yusuf was pleased with his side’s structure, especially in the opening 45 minutes.
“We played a very coordinated game in the first half. The pressure was more in the second half. We created more goal-scoring opportunities in the first half than the second,” he explained.
CS Sfaxien’s defensive block limited 3SC after the goal, but the hosts still manufactured several clear chances.
With only a 1-0 lead to defend, Yusuf knows the second leg in Tunisia will require a different approach.
“We are not playing the same way we played here in Tunisia. It is all about the mindset,” he said.
“We need to defend the win to give the team confidence.”
The coach stressed that Nigerian clubs must go into North Africa with belief, not fear.
“Playing North Africans is all about mindset. As far as we can create more goal-scoring opportunities, I believe we can get a good result,” Yusuf stated.
“If the players can tactically play according to instructions, we will get a good result there.”
Yusuf noted that the tie was only Shooting Stars’ second competitive game of the season, and fitness levels will improve.
“This is the second match of the season. The way we train now is not the way they trained before,” he said.
He also thanked fans who turned out in Abeokuta, saying their support lifted the players on a historic night.
“27 years back on the continent was a very long time. We appreciate the supporters and everyone that came out. It gave the boys courage to play this game,” Yusuf added.
“We have played teams that have more pedigree than this and have won. I believe we can get a good result in Tunisia.”
Captain Backs Team To Finish Job
Shooting Stars captain Daniel Falke echoed his coach’s confidence.
“We are very happy with the win. I believe we are going to Tunisia to fight and get a good result,” Falke said.
3SC will travel with a slender advantage, but CS Sfaxien will have home support in the return leg. For Yusuf’s men, the task is clear: be more clinical and defend with discipline to keep their continental dream alive.
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