Newly appointed Crown FC Technical Director Fatai Akande has pledged to restore the Ogbomoso-based club to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), declaring that promotion back to the top flight is the clear objective.
Akande was officially unveiled by the Oyo State Government in Ibadan as part of the club’s restructuring plans ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
The experienced football coach returns to a familiar environment, having previously represented Crown FC and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) during his playing career before transitioning into coaching, where he has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most successful promotion specialists.
Popularly known as the “Promotion Genius,” Akande has guided three different clubs to promotion, most notably leading Ijebu United to the Nigeria National League within three years. Before his appointment, he served as the National Coordinator of the Football Coaches Association of African Nations (FCAAN).
“The task is clear: build, compete and win. I am ready to give my best to ensure Crown FC returns to where it belongs,” Akande said after his unveiling.
The CAF B Licence coach thanked the Oyo State Government and the club’s management for the confidence reposed in him, promising to build a disciplined and competitive team capable of challenging for promotion.
Akande also brings an impressive coaching profile to the role, holding certifications from CAF, FCAAN, The FA Learning, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee, alongside a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
His appointment forms part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s broader vision to reposition sports in Oyo State, with the government targeting Crown FC’s return to the NPFL while also strengthening the club’s commercial and technical structure.
Akande is expected to begin work immediately as Crown FC intensifies preparations for the new NNL season, with promotion back to Nigeria’s top flight set to be the club’s primary objective.
