In Ekiti State football history, no club has ever crossed the final bridge into the Nigeria Professional Football League. For decades, the dream has remained just that: a dream. But in the ongoing Nigeria National League season, Ekiti United Football Club are daring to believe differently.
At the centre of this belief is a young, confident and tactically bold coach, Bolarinwa Idris, fondly called African Guardiola by admirers of his modern approach to the game. Tasked with achieving what no one before him has managed, Idris is not shying away from the pressure.
With no promotional playoff this season and only the group winners guaranteed automatic promotion, the margin for error is thinner than ever. Ekiti United have responded by staying firmly in the title conversation, swapping positions at the top of the table with fellow contenders week after week.
After eight matches, the Ado Ekiti-based side sit third on the log, just three points off the summit. Their record tells a fascinating story. Five matches at home, five wins. Three matches away, three defeats. A split that has both excited fans and raised questions.
In this exclusive and revealing interview with Awijare News, Coach Bolarinwa Idris speaks honestly about Ekiti United’s journey so far, the comfort of home games, the psychological battles of away fixtures and the clear steps being taken to turn promise into history. This is part one of the conversation.
Assessing the Campaign So Far
Eight matches into the season and with the mid-season fast approaching, Idris is confident about the direction of his team.
According to him, Ekiti United’s campaign has been fantastic so far. He points to the quality of players at his disposal and the technical and tactical identity the team has developed. He believes the side has proven competitive within its group, conceding fewer goals away from home and ensuring maximum points are secured at home, even without scoring many goals.
For Idris, the focus has been on building players technically, tactically and physically. He insists that Ekiti United currently boast some of the best performers in the league and sees the group as wide open.
With mid-season approaching, the objective is clear in his words. Ekiti United want to top the group, and he believes it will happen.
The Fortress in Ado Ekiti
Ekiti United’s home ground has become one of the most feared venues in the Nigeria National League this season. Five games. Five wins. No slips.
Idris explains that home matches form the core of the team’s philosophy. The players understand the responsibility of playing in front of their supporters and are determined to put smiles on their faces every time.
He credits belief, preparation and the energy from fans as the driving forces behind their dominance. Playing at home brings confidence, discipline and clarity of purpose. Tactically, the team executes plans with precision, while the supporters provide the extra push.
The coach is full of praise for Ekiti United fans, describing them as among the best supporters in the league. Their presence, he says, reinforces the players’ mindset that home matches are non-negotiable.
Why Away Matches Have Been Difficult
Away from home, the narrative has been tougher. Ekiti United have lost all three away matches, but Idris believes the story is deeper than the results suggest.
He explains that the team actually prepares more tactically for away games. In their first away fixture against Calabar Rovers, the match ended 2-1 after a late penalty was awarded to the hosts just two minutes from time.
A similar scenario unfolded against Abakaliki, while against Sporting Lagos, eight minutes of added time altered the momentum after regulation time. In trying to push for a result, things did not go their way.
Idris acknowledges the limits of a coach’s influence during a match, stressing that he cannot step onto the pitch to play. However, he remains proud of his players’ performances, describing them as fantastic despite the results.
Looking ahead, the Ekiti United coach is confident lessons have been learnt. With an upcoming away fixture against First Bank FC in Lagos, he believes the team is ready to turn the corner and deliver a result that will reignite belief across the state.
The Mentality Challenge
Asked whether mentality plays a role in Ekiti United’s away struggles, Idris does not hesitate.
He identifies mentality as one of the biggest challenges in Nigerian football, pointing to habits such as ball watching and late lapses in concentration. While acknowledging improvements in the league and praising organisers and referees for positive changes, he admits that the home-win-away-loss mindset still exists among players.
As a young coach focused on maximising player potential, Idris says serious work is being done on the psychological side of the game. Ekiti United have often conceded late in away matches, a trend he believes will soon change.
His message is clear. Every pitch must feel like home. Regardless of location, the team are learning to approach matches with the same belief and discipline. He insists progress is already visible and promises that the impact will soon be felt.
Ekiti United’s promotion dream remains alive, fragile but fiercely protected. With a coach unafraid to confront reality and a team learning fast, Ekiti State may finally be standing on the edge of football history.
Part two of this exclusive interview with African Guardiola will explore squad depth, plans for the business end of the league, the second round and how Ekiti United plan to sustain momentum in the title race.
Feature Image Credit: Bolarinwa Idris Facebook Page
