Salisu Yusuf (born 1962 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian professional football manager and former player.[2] He was the chief coach of the Nigeria national football team.[3][4][5][6]
Career
editPlaying career
editYusuf spent all his playing career in the Nigerian League and represented Nigeria at both junior and senior levels.[7] He started his playing career as a midfielder for ABU Football Club before he went on to play for several Nigerian football clubs including Ranchers Bees and El-Kanemi Warriors[7]
Managerial career
editYusuf started his professional managerial career in 2002 as the head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Nasarawa United before he moved to Lobi Stars as an assistant coach and helping them win the National Challenge Cup (now Nigerian FA Cup) in 2003. He later moved to Dolphins F.C. where he worked as assistant coach until 2008 when he joined Kano Pillars as chief coach and eventually led them to win the 2008 Nigeria Premier League title.[7]
In 2009, the Nigeria Football Federation employed Yusuf as assistant coach to Samson Siasia who was serving as the head coach of the Nigeria national football team. Yusuf was still working with Siasia when Kano Pillars appointed him as technical adviser in 2010, a move that saw the club qualify for the 2010 CAF Champions League.[7] In November 2012, he moved to Enyimba where he replaced Austin Eguavoen as technical adviser and guiding them to win the 2013 Federation Cup trophy.[8][9]
Upon leaving Enyimba Football Club, Yusuf joined El-Kanemi Warriors as technical adviser before he went on to be named assistant coach to Stephen Keshi who was serving as head coach of the Nigerian senior football team.[10][11] On 24 October 2016, he was officially appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation as the chief coach of the Nigeria national football team.[5]
On 24 July 2018, Salisu Yusuf was seen accepting a cash gift in a video released by BBC Africa following a series of investigations on the state of football in Africa.[12] Yusuf was said to have accepted bribe after two investigative reporters approached him to include two footballers in his squad at the 2018 African Championship (CHAN). The BBC did however state in the documentary that there was no evidence that the cash received by Salisu Yusuf affected any decisions he made in the player selection process. Salisu Yusuf subsequently denied any wrongdoing, stating that the inducement did not affect his decision to field the players.[13]
In November 2019 he became manager of Rangers International.[14]
In December 2021 he was unveiled as Coach of Kano Pillars became manager of Kano Pillars F.C..[15]
Honours
edit- Nigerian FA Cup: 2003, 2013
- Nigeria Premier League: 2008
References
edit- ^ Williams, Tunde (2 December 2021). "Kano Pillars unveil Super Eagles assistant coach Salisu Yusuf".
- ^ Oni, Kolade (4 November 2012). "ENYIMBA NAMES SALISU YUSUF AS NEW COACH". Goal. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ "Coaches and Coaching". thenff.com. 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Salisu Yusuf: Super Eagles coach gets new contract from NFF". pulse.ng. 26 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Yusuf Finally Seals Contract With NFF As Super Eagles Chief Coach". completesportsnigeria.com. 25 October 2016.
- ^ "Chief coach, Salisu Yusuf is in charge of CHAN". pulse.ng. 14 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d Isa Muhammad Inuwa (24 November 2013). "I became a coach because I couldn't get another job — Salisu Yusuf". Daily Trust. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ Allaputa, Farriel (15 September 2013). "Enyimba win dramatic Federation Cup final after beating Warri Wolves on penalties". Enyimba FC. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ "Enyimba appoint Salisu". KickOff. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ Babalola, Taofeek (7 December 2013). "Yusuf resumes with El-Kanemi Monday". The Nation News. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ Sholabomi, Shemmy (5 May 2015). "WHY SALISU YUSUF WAS PICKED AS KESHI'S ASSISTANT". Goal. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ^ "Super Eagles Coach Salisu Yusuf caught receiving bribe". Premium Times Nigeria. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "Salisu Yusuf denies cash inducement claims - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "Nigeria federation put Yusuf in charge of Enugu". 28 November 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Kano Pillars Unveil Super Eagles Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf". 2 December 2021 – via www.brila.net.
External links
edit- Salisu Yusuf at Soccerway