Kwara United Sack Coach Tunde Sanni After CAF Exit, NPFL Defeat Sparks Crisis

Coach Tunde Sanni has broken his silence after being relieved of his duties as Technical Adviser of Kwara United, adopting a tone of quiet acceptance rather than resistance. Speaking shortly after the news was confirmed, Sanni refrained from defending his record or offering explanations. Instead, he simply stated, “Anything they say is final. You can confirm from them.” When pressed further, he reiterated, “I give you permission, anything they said is final. Don’t bother about my own side.”

According to Ireporter Online, Kwara United’s management announced the coach’s dismissal on Sunday evening, only hours after the Ilorin-based team suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Abia Warriors in the Nigeria Premier Football League. The decision came on the heels of another disappointment, their elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup by Ghana’s Asante Kotoko on a 5-3 aggregate scoreline.

Club chairman Kumbi Titiloye confirmed the development in a statement, explaining that Sanni had been asked to step aside following the dismal run of results. Assistant coach Ashifat Suleiman has since been appointed to take charge of the team on an interim basis.

The defeat to Abia Warriors, sealed by a 48th-minute penalty converted by Emeka Obioma, highlighted Kwara United’s growing struggles. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, the team once again failed to capitalize on their chances, leaving supporters frustrated. Many fans had already been critical of Sanni’s tactical choices, particularly during the Confederation Cup campaign, where his decision to bench striker Shola Abdulraheem in the second leg against Asante Kotoko drew heavy backlash.

Currently placed 10th on the NPFL table with eight points from six matches, Kwara United’s mid-table standing has fallen short of expectations, especially after last season’s relative progress. The board’s decision underscores a lack of confidence in Sanni’s ability to meet the club’s ambitions.

Assistant coach Suleiman will now lead the team into a crucial midweek clash against Kano Pillars, a fixture seen as an early test of his capacity to restore belief within the squad. Meanwhile, speculation over Sanni’s permanent replacement has intensified, with experienced managers such as former Shooting Stars boss Gbenga Ogunbote and Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu reportedly on the club’s radar.