The Weight of Words — How Mr. Kunbi Titiloye’s Remark Could Tarnish Coach Tunde Sani’s Legacy

Did Coach Tunde Sani Betray Kwara United — or Was He Betrayed?

In football and in leadership, words carry power — they can build or destroy, uplift or diminish. The recent statement credited to the Chairman of Kwara United Football Club, Mr. Kunbi Titiloye, regarding Coach Tunde Sani, is a clear reminder of how much impact a leader’s words can have.

Coach Tunde Sani is not a stranger to the Kwara football family. He has served the state both as a player and as a coach, through difficult years and uncertain times. His loyalty to Kwara United has never been in doubt, and his most remarkable achievement came in 2025, when he led the team to victory in the Federation Cup, delivering the club’s first-ever national trophy — a moment of pride for every Kwaran.

However, just weeks after that historic triumph, he was asked to step aside by the management. While that decision, as administrative as it may seem, is within the club’s right, what has generated concern is the statement made by the Chairman, who said the coach was asked to step aside “because of various infractions against the club, the state….”

That statement is too heavy to be left without clarification. Such words carry deep implications — they can easily be interpreted as allegations of misconduct, betrayal, or disloyalty. Coming from the Chairman, it can shape public opinion and permanently stain the reputation of a man who has so far chosen silence and dignity over controversy.

Since his removal, Coach Tunde Sani has maintained decorum. He has not granted any interview, nor spoken negatively about the management, the team, or the state. Instead, he has remained respectful and calm, perhaps trusting that time and truth would speak for him. In a world where many rush to defend themselves, his silence is an act of maturity and discipline that deserves recognition.

It is for this reason that the Chairman’s statement should be revisited or clarified. Even if made in the heat of emotion or misunderstanding, it is only fair to reinterpret it publicly. The goal is not confrontation, but correction — because such a weighty statement, if left unaddressed, can damage the coach’s reputation and affect his future opportunities both within and outside Kwara State.

Kwara United and the state government have built a reputation for promoting fairness and professionalism. Protecting that image requires careful communication — especially when dealing with individuals who have contributed immensely to the team’s success.

It is also important to note that a new Technical Adviser, Coach Suleiman Ashifat (Brazil), has now officially stepped in. Congratulations to him as he begins this new journey with the team. However, as we celebrate this transition, we must not forget that words once spoken linger in memory. The mark they leave can either inspire unity or deepen division. Therefore, the Chairman, as a respected leader, should summon the courage to correct the earlier statement — not as a sign of weakness, but as a gesture of maturity, empathy, and peace.

True leadership is not about proving a point; it is about protecting relationships, nurturing respect, and ensuring harmony within the system. A reconciliatory step between the Chairman and Coach Tunde Sani would not only heal wounds but also restore faith in the club’s leadership and reaffirm Kwara United’s image as a model of professionalism.

Coach Tunde Sani deserves to be remembered for his achievement, not for a statement that casts shadows over his legacy.

Leadership must always uphold justice, empathy, and restraint — because in the end, words spoken today can shape the history we write tomorrow.

I therefore urge the Chairman of Kwara United, Mr. Kunbi Titiloye, to kindly retract the statement or offer a positive clarification, in the interest of fairness and to protect the image of both the club and the individuals involved.

Lastly, sports and football stakeholders should see to it. If we refuse to talk, it may be our turn tomorrow.

Olaide Ahli