The leadership of the Osun State Football Association has appealed to the state government to urgently step in as its two publicly funded football teams battle the threat of relegation in their respective leagues.
Chairman of the Osun FA, Sola Fanawopo, made the appeal amid growing concerns over the fortunes of Osun United and Osun Babes, both of which are struggling in ongoing campaigns.
Osun United, which competes in the Nationwide League, currently occupies seventh position in Group B of the 10-team table.
The placement leaves the side dangerously close to the relegation zone, with only a handful of matches remaining to determine its fate.
The situation is similarly tense for Osun Babes, who are campaigning in the Women’s Premier League.
A sequence of disappointing results has left the female side hovering above the drop line, intensifying fears of demotion.
Sources within Osun United disclosed that the team must secure victories in its next three fixtures to retain its status in the league.
The sources, who requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly, described the task ahead as challenging but achievable.
Fanawopo, in a statement issued by the association’s media officer, Seyi Akaani, called on the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, to take immediate and practical steps to address the crisis.
He said, “Both state-owned teams are currently battling relegation in their respective leagues due to poor welfare, inadequate support, and declining operational standards.”
The FA chairman urged the deputy governor, who also oversees the sports portfolio, to personally assess the teams’ conditions in order to appreciate the gravity of the challenges confronting them.
“It is important for the Honourable Deputy Governor to take a hands-on approach, visit the players’ hostels, inspect team buses, and attend matches to fully understand how critical the situation has become,” Fanawopo stated.
According to him, “welfare concerns have had a direct impact on the players’ morale and overall performance on the pitch, contributing to the unfavourable run of results.”
He added, “The current state of player welfare has negatively affected morale and performance, putting both teams at serious risk.”
Fanawopo therefore appealed for swift government action aimed at stabilising operations, improving welfare packages and preserving the state’s standing in Nigerian football competitions.