Osun Babes Coach Olowokere Accused Of Absconding

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) was thrown into a state of surprise and controversy on Thursday as news broke that Olowokere Bankole, the head coach of Osun Babes, had dramatically severed ties with the club. However, what initially appeared to be a straightforward resignation has quickly escalated into a war of words, with the club’s management accusing the young tactician of abandoning his post under a cloud of suspicion.

Sources close to the coach confirmed that Olowokere had officially stepped down from his position. His departure comes at a critical juncture for the Osogbo-based side, arriving on the very eve of the team’s highly anticipated resumption of the league’s second stanza.

The 2026 season had been a challenging one for Osun Babes under Olowokere’s guidance. The first round of fixtures proved to be a mixed bag, with the team struggling to find consistent form. Under his stewardship, the team secured two wins, managed three draws, and suffered four defeats, leaving them in a precarious position in the league standings and hungry for a stronger second half of the campaign.

The pressure intensified on Wednesday when Osun Babes faced Dannaz Ladies in their first match back after the break. In a tense encounter played on home soil in Osogbo, the team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat, a result that undoubtedly added to the disappointment surrounding the club.

It was in the aftermath of this loss that the situation took a bizarre turn. While sources insist Olowokere submitted his resignation, the club’s management has issued a formal statement painting a vastly different and far more serious picture.

In an official reaction to the swirling rumours, Osun Babes stated unequivocally that “the club hierarchy is yet to receive any resignation from Olowookere to that effect.”

The statement from the club did not stop there. It went on to level a grave accusation against the now-former coach, alleging that his departure was not a formal resignation but an act of absconding. The management claimed that Olowokere had reportedly collected his match allowance and other associated benefits, funds intended for the crucial fixture against Dannaz Ladies on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, before disappearing without any official communication.

“However, if the story is true, it implies that Bankole Olowookere absconded from the team after collecting allowance and other benefits for Osun Babes FC match against Dannaz Ladies Wednesday, 11th March, 2026,” the club’s statement read, casting a shadow of impropriety over his sudden exit.

The conflicting accounts have left fans and pundits in a state of confusion. Is this a case of a frustrated coach deciding he could no longer lead the team, or a more serious breach of professional conduct?

As the NWFL season continues, the focus now shifts from the disappointing loss on the pitch to the drama off it, with the club demanding answers and Olowokere’s reputation now hanging in the balance.

The Osun Babes management is yet to announce any interim replacement as they grapple with this unexpected and damaging controversy.