From Amateur To NPFL Promotion Hopeful; Osun United On The Rise

OSUN United, an Osun State Government owned football club, is gradually climbing the ladder of playing at the peak of professional football in Nigeria. 

Founded as Prime FC in 1996 by authorities of Osogbo Local Government, but renamed “Osun United” in January 2017 during the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to give the club a better identity, the Omoluabi giants are currently playing in the second tier of club football in the country.

Osun United got to the Nigeria National League (NNL) after its relegation from the Nigeria Premier League now Nigeria Premier Football League in 2008.

More than a decade after its relegation, the team is still striving to get promoted to play among the big teams in the country and redeem its lost glory. 

The team which plays its home games in the 10,000 seater Osogbo Township stadium was relegated to the Nationwide League One (NLO) in 2021/2022, during the immediate-past administration of Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola.

But the team made a swift return to the Nigeria National League (NNL) after the 2022/2023 season. 

Since returning to the NNL, Osun United have surprised many with their performance and improvement on the field. 

Results have been more promising and things are looking more brightly for the Omoluabi giants with promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League in sight. 

Osun United which has adopted the Ilorin Township Stadium for their home matches due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, currently occupies third position in the Group B of the Southern Conference with 27 points in 17 games.

The team has won seven, drawn six and lost four matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding 8. 

The team has a game in hand and trailing Ikorodu FC who occupies the first position with 30 points in 18 matches. 

Crown FC Ogbomoso, having also played 17 matches, is also on 27 points and occupies the second position ahead of Osun United on goal difference. 

The team will aim to be among the top two in the group to join other six teams to compete in the Super 8 competition where the best four teams will be promoted to the NPFL. 

With just three games to go, Osun United’s coach, Seye Ajayi in an exclusive interview with OSUN DEFENDER, spoke on how the team came back from playing in the Nationwide League One in 2022/2023 to NPFL promotion hopeful in 2023/2024.

According to Ajayi, the support from the state government, supporters of the team and the drifting away from how things were being done in the past are responsible for the Omoluabi giants’ improved performance.

Ajayi who is optimistic about the team’s promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League, said the players and staff have been professional and offered their all for the club.

He said: “To God be the glory. We thank our sports-loving Governor for his administration’s support for sports generally and most importantly, football. He has been a rock behind us.

“We started from amateur last season, we got superb support from the government and we were able to promote from NLO to NNL. 

“Those boys are loyal and determined. Without those players, there is no Osun United and all I just wish them is a great career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them doing well in clubs across Europe in the near future.”

Speaking on what has changed in the team and how he has been able to get the players to perform better, Ajayi disclosed that he recruited new players who were mostly below 20 years of age before the start of the season. 

The coach noted that it was rough at the beginning due to the players’ age and some hiccups in Nigeria football, adding that the players were able to navigate the rough path with the support of the staff and experienced players. 

According to him, the players are coachable and always ready to learn, adding that 80 per cent of them are below the age of 20.

He said: “Before the start of the season, we opened screening which really paid off. What we looked for then was to get young and talented players who can play football and are coachable.

“Eighty per cent of the players in the team right now are below 20 and we added some experienced players to support the young guys. 

“Things are a little bit rough at the beginning because of the players we engaged. Also, some of the hiccups in Nigeria football affect them. But to God be the glory, they endured it and have been performing wonderfully.

“The boys are coachable and carry out instructions given to them and that is the reason why results have improved and we are eyeing promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League.”

The coach, however, said the state government has to do more in terms of welfare for the players and staff. 

Ajayi also lauded the team’s supporters, even as he urged them to always try and stick with the team both in the good and bad times. 

“On the welfare of players and coaching staff, the government has really been trying but there is always a big room for improvement as this will always motivate the boys more.

“I really appreciate the support of Osun people. I admire their passion for football and I thank them for being with us. I just want to say that it is very important for supporters to love the team with passion, but at the same time, when the team is not doing as expected, they are the ones standing by us. They must not paint the team black or go against the team,” he concluded.