Bayelsa United board member for Technical Affairs Godson Abaikade says the club’s revamped squad has the quality to secure an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The club begins its Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign on Sunday, with promotion identified as its main objective after dropping out of the top flight. Abaikade believes the recruitment drive has given the team the strength required to achieve that target.
“We have prepared the players that will do that for us, and, by the grace of God, on Sunday, we will set the ball rolling, and Bayelsans will be very proud of this team,” he said.
Abaikade also highlighted the club’s arrangements for player welfare, saying Bayelsa United had maintained the financial and logistical standards it enjoyed during its time in the NPFL.
Despite now competing in the second tier, he said the squad had continued to benefit from the same level of support provided when the club was in the top flight.
“In the NNL, Bayelsa United is one of the teams with the best welfare packages,” Abaikade said. “We retained the same benchmark that the team was getting when they were in the NPFL.”
He attributed the arrangements to the backing of the Bayelsa State Government and said the administration had fulfilled its commitment to the club.
“In terms of welfare packages, I think we have done well. His Excellency gave us that mandate and backed it up with a wonderful welfare package for the team,” he added.