By Qozeem Oladapo in Ado Ekiti
As the Nigeria National League (NNL) 2021/2022 begins on Friday (February 11) nationwide, last season’s super 8 debutants, Ekiti United FC will travel to Osun state for southwestern derby in their week one match against Osun United.
The battle of Uniteds will be decided at the Sports complex of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on Saturday (February 12) following the disapproval of the Osun United home ground in Osogbo, the state capital.
Preparatory to the league opener, the Team Manager of Ekiti United FC, Adedeji Adu has expressed confidence that the players that make the team were ready for the challenge ahead with an onerous task of surpassing last season’s achievement.
Speaking to EUfc Media, the TM said “the team recorded 87℅ success in their pre-season preparations, hence the notion that the squad was mentally, psychologically and physically ready to tackle any opponent this season”
Adu noted that “the state government through the ministry of Youth and Sports has done the needful to put the team in good stead for the tasks ahead while the management team headed by Mrs Funke Babalola has also been up and doing to ensure the team lacks nothing prior to the league kickoff this weekend”
He also commended the club secretary, Ayodeji Olowolafe for efforts at entrenching professionalism in line with the global football practices at Ekiti United this season.
The Team manager therefore urged all football enthusiasts in Ekiti to rally round Ekiti United and be optimistic that the team will not disappoint them noting that no team could succeed without the support of the people.
He also called for the cooperation of all stakeholders including the Football Association, Referees Council, Coaches Association, Supporters Club, SWAN, the Sports Council and AllStars International as well as all other football loving individuals in Ekiti .
Recall that both Ekiti United and Osun United won their home matches last season thereby making the league opener a battle of familiar foes.