Crown FC boss Ayeni rallies players after opening loss to Kun Khalifat

|Babatunji Wusu

-Coach says promotion target still intact despite slim defeat
-Eyes victory in next fixture against Osun United

Crown FC head coach, Ayodeji Ayeni, has urged his players to regroup and fight back after their 1-0 defeat to Kun Khalifat FC in the opening match of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8.

The Ajilete Warriors fell narrowly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Saturday, failing to convert their chances in a tightly contested encounter.

Despite the setback, Ayeni remained optimistic, insisting that the loss will not derail the team’s ambition to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.

“As you can see, it is a marathon. It’s not yet over for any team,” Ayeni said while addressing reporters after the match.

“Our first match doesn’t determine the league or our ambition. We can go ahead and win the next two matches,” he added with confidence.

Crown FC will face Osun United in their second game of the tournament on Monday, a match Ayeni believes could reignite their push for a top finish.

The NNL Super 8 tournament determines which teams gain promotion to Nigeria’s top flight, and Crown FC are determined to be part of that elite list despite the shaky start.