Oyo Appoints Fatai Akande as Crown FC Technical Director to Drive NPFL Promotion Push

The Oyo State Government has appointed Fatai Akande as the new Technical Director of Crown FC as part of efforts to reposition the Ogbomoso-based club ahead of the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

Akande was officially unveiled in Ibadan on Tuesday, where the Oyo State Commissioner for Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, described his appointment as a strategic step toward strengthening the club’s technical department and restoring Crown FC to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

A native of Oyo State, Akande brings a wealth of coaching and football development experience to the role. Before his appointment, he served as the National Coordinator of the Football Coaches Association of African Nations (FCAAN), one of Africa’s largest coaching bodies.

Widely known for his ability to guide teams to higher divisions, Akande has earned a reputation as a promotion specialist. He has successfully led three clubs to promotion, including steering Ijebu United to the Nigeria National League within three years. As a player, he featured for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Crown FC before pursuing opportunities abroad.

Academically and professionally, Akande is well-qualified for the position. He holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), a CAF B Coaching Licence, an FCAAN B Coaching Certificate, and an FA Learning Coaching Certificate. He also possesses a Certificate in Sports Medicine from the Olympic Committee, alongside several other coaching certifications.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Commissioner Adegoke said the decision to appoint Akande reflects the state’s determination to build on Crown FC’s rich football heritage while pursuing promotion back to the top flight. She noted that football has evolved into a major business enterprise and expressed confidence that Akande’s expertise would help the club unlock commercial opportunities, ensuring greater returns on the government’s investment in sports development.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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