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2025 NWFL Championship: Osun Babes coach Wole Animashaun blames Match Ball after opening day defeat
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Osun Babes’ return bid to the top flight got off to a rocky start with a 2-1 loss to Imo Striker Queens, but head coach Wole Animashaun has stirred debate by pointing to unusual match conditions — particularly the ball used — as a key factor in the defeat.
Speaking after the game, Animashaun admitted his side was disappointed but insisted external factors played a role.
“Now we need to go back and plan for the remaining matches. Anything can happen in football, but honestly, the size of the ball today was not the one we normally use,” the coach said.
According to him, the ball handed to both teams on matchday felt different from what Osun Babes had trained with.
“Maybe because they are playing on the turf for the first time, I don’t know. Maybe the size of the ball, I don’t know. But we believe we will come back. In the NNL, when they want to use a certain ball, they give it to the teams ahead of time so they can get familiar. But today, we just got to the pitch and the ball was different,” he explained.
While some fans dismissed the comments as excuses, others argued that standardisation of match balls is a legitimate concern. Inconsistent size, weight, or texture could affect control and execution — especially on artificial turf.
Still, critics pointed out that the same ball was used by both sides, with Imo Striker adapting better and capitalising to claim the win.
Despite the controversy, Animashaun struck an optimistic note about his team’s chances going forward.
“Anything can change at any time. God holds victory, so any team can beat another. I strongly believe we can still come up and win the group,” he said.
The debate over Osun Babes’ opening defeat now leaves fans divided: was it poor preparation and execution, or did the unusual match ball truly tilt the balance? Whatever the case, the road to promotion remains long, and the team will need to quickly regroup if they are to keep their Premiership dream alive.
