A former football administrator and Chief Executive of Phoenix Athletics, Bayo Olanlege, has praised Adebowale Bolarinwa Idris for steering Ekiti United through a turbulent but ultimately rewarding campaign in the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League season.
The campaign began with the usual pre-season buzz, but quickly gave way to uncertainty as clubs adjusted to new squads and coaching philosophies. Among them, Ekiti United stood out, backed by strong institutional support and a clear intent to rebuild under fresh technical leadership.
At the centre of that rebuild was Coach Idris, a mentee of Olanlege, whose appointment initially came with both promise and pressure. His early days in charge reflected the growing pains typical of a first-time head coach, an imperfect recruitment process and inconsistent results that raised questions about direction and readiness.
Yet, beneath the early struggles, Olanlege observed a coach with a defined vision and a team slowly taking shape.
That vision became clearer as the season progressed. Ekiti United turned their home ground into a fortress, emerging as the only side in the league to win all their home fixtures, an achievement Olanlege described as a testament to tactical discipline, structure, and preparation.
However, their struggles away from home persisted, with a string of narrow defeats fuelling doubts about their ability to compete on the road. The criticism grew louder as the season wore on.
But in football, narratives can change in an instant.
In Abeokuta, Ekiti United delivered when it mattered most, securing a composed 2–0 victory over Stormers FC to claim their first away win of the season. For Olanlege, the result was a statement of growth, resilience, and belief.
He noted the timing of the victory, which coincided with a major political development in Ekiti State, describing the moment as one of collective triumph.
