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From Assistant to Boss: Coach Sulieman Ashifat Steps Up at Kwara United

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By: Tosh Michaels 

At the sound of the final whistle in Ilorin on October 5, 2025, following Kwara United’s 1–0 defeat to Abia Warriors, it wasn’t just another loss,  it signaled the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

In swift response, the club’s management parted ways with Coach Tunde Sanni and handed the team’s future to a familiar face, Coach Ashifat Suleiman, popularly known as Coach Brazil.

For years, Coach Brazil has worked quietly behind the scenes as an assistant to Abdullahi Bala, Abdullahi Biffo, and most recently, Tunde Sanni. His influence has long been evident in the team’s style, discipline, and fighting spirit. Now, the man who once stood just behind the touchline steps forward to lead the Harmony Boys from the front.

This appointment is more than a routine replacement,  it’s a statement of continuity, identity, and trust. By choosing Coach Brazil, Kwara United have opted for stability over uncertainty.  a decision rooted in the belief that the solutions they seek may already lie within their own ranks.

In a recent interview, the club’s chairman, Mr. Kunbi Titiloye, expressed full confidence in the new gaffer, making it clear that Coach Suleiman’s appointment is not on an interim basis but a full-time charge, one aimed at writing a new chapter in the club’s history.

 “Coach Suleiman Ashifat is capable of leading the team. He has been with the team for over ten years. We’ve seen his training schedule, he has worked with Coach Biffo, and we have no complaints from the management,” Kunbi Titiloye told veteran broadcaster Hameed Adio.

Under Coach Suleiman, Kwara United have already shown glimpses of resilience, recording one win, one draw, and one defeat in his first three matches: a 1–0 loss to Kano Pillars, a 1–1 draw with Wikki Tourists (both away), and a 1–0 home victory over Katsina United. It’s a relatively encouraging start for a team seeking renewed momentum.

However, the task before him remains enormous. Kwara United’s form has been inconsistent, and morale needs rebuilding. Yet, the challenge also presents the perfect stage for Coach Brazil to showcase his tactical insight and leadership under pressure.

The fans, too, have a role to play. They must look beyond recent frustrations and rally behind a coach who has served the club with loyalty and commitment. The players, on their part, must turn that familiarity into fight, focus, and belief on the pitch.

This new chapter could define more than just a season, it could shape the club’s long-term culture. If Coach Brazil succeeds, it would not only vindicate the decision to promote from within but also reaffirm that patience, learning, and loyalty still hold value in Nigerian football.

The dawn may be uncertain, but it glows with promise. Kwara United have handed the reins to one of their own, a man molded by their journey and now entrusted to lead it. For Coach Brazil, this is more than a promotion; it’s destiny calling.

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PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label

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Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.

In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.

The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.

Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.

“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.

” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”

Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.

“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”

“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”

The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.

Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.

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