BY: Mayowa Kufile
In Christendom, one of the important parts of weddings has to be the vows with a popular quote; “In sickness and health, for rich and poor, till death do us part”. These vows depict both partners staying with one another no matter the situation in the marriage. In footballing terms, marriage also exists but forever is never the deal because, in football, you are one sick run of form from getting sacked.
A MARRIAGE MEANT TO BE MADE IN HEAVEN
When Akwa United announced Fatai Osho as the man to take over from Deji Ayeni as the Coach of the 2021 League Champions, most of the league followers thought this was a marriage made in heaven based on the two parties’ antecedents, but the marriage only lasted for little over 6months after Osho announced his resignation last Monday.
Akwa United were champions of the league two years ago. They play in what is unarguably the best stadium in the land (Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo), presided over by one of the most astute leaders of club football in Nigeria, Elder Paul Bassey, with a brand of football that is pleasing to the eye, Akwa is like a good environment for Osho to thrive in.
Fatai Osho, popularly called “Sugarball” because of his brand of football and his journey around the Nigeria football space that has seen him at Remo Stars, Enyimba, and more recently, Rivers United, where some accredit Rivers United winning the league title in 2022 to him even though he was under the command of Stanley Eguma.
FATAI OSHO: EARLY MORNING BLISS IN THE MARRIAGE
This marriage between Fatai Osho and Akwa United began on a good note and with lots of fanfare. Osho was the first to announce his arrival through his social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) before the club made it official.
Akwa United got a glimpse of the football they expected under him when the club participated in the first-ever edition of Naija Super 8 (A pre-season tournament). Akwa United were a beauty to behold at that tournament with their attacking football. It only took a mental come-from-behind performance from eventual champions Sporting Lagos to eliminate them in the semi-final.
That performance from Akwa United at the tournament had the Promise Keepers fans eagerly awaiting the commencement of the 2023/2024 season. What followed suit was unexpected, and this is a perfect case of “What I ordered” vs “What I got.”
Fatai Osho and Akwa United: WHAT WENT WRONG IN THIS MARRIAGE?
Osho will look back at his time at Akwa United with thoughts of “What If.” He can look back at the number of important players that left the club without adequate replacement. Only five players from the team that started their semi-final loss to Sporting Lagos started their last game over the weekend with players Captain Cyril Olisema, rock-solid center-back Chukwuebuka Anthony, one of the best left-back in the league James Ajako, and more. Some players left the club, and Osho has been unable to get something out of their replacements.
Until his last game against Heartland, Akwa United was still playing good football, but the result was not just coming for the team. When Akwa United narrowly missed out on the Super Six last season due to goal difference, the club aimed to get better this season and not be a club languishing 17th in a 20-club league table after winning only three of their fourteen league games (5 draws, and six defeats).
Fatai Osho will have no complaints about getting the divorce because he was given a bit of time to save this marriage, but unlike in Christendom, there is no “for better, for worse” in football as only the better keeps you on the job.