James Emo

Attacking Midfielder (R) - Bayelsa United
27 Dec 2027
Monday
Process
71 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

6 Dec 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Bayelsa United up to position 3

59 points on the board and a place in the leading group. Nobody at the ground is saying the word out loud yet.

Squad

Emmanuel Solomon: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Bayelsa United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Boardroom

Bayelsa United release $1.3M for the manager

The board have put money on the table rather than an encouraging word. What happens to it now is somebody else's problem, and somebody else's job.

In brief

Back issues
63 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

11 Oct 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Bayelsa United up to position 3

59 points on the board and a place in the leading group. Nobody at the ground is saying the word out loud yet.

Loan watch

Akpos Godbless wants to come home

“I did not go to Warri Wolves to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 1 appearances in 5 matches say the rest.

Squad

James Emo has company in his position

The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. James Emo keeps the shirt for now, at Bayelsa United's convenience rather than his own.

Squad

Dehinde Ibrahim asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

Market

Bayelsa United pick up Uche Moses for nothing

The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Uche Moses arrives at Bayelsa United with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.

Market

Moses Anthony leaves for nothing

Contract settled, hands shaken, no fee changing hands. Moses Anthony leaves Bayelsa United the quiet way, and the wage bill breathes a little easier.

In brief

58 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

6 Sep 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Bayelsa United turn down El-Kanemi Warriors for Andy Ezekiel

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Match

A bad afternoon for Bayelsa United against Abia Warriors

1-3 to Abia Warriors, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Squad

Eyong Ofem gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Boardroom

$1.3M on the table at Bayelsa United

The board have answered with money instead of encouragement, which is the only answer a manager ever wants. Spending it well is now entirely his problem.

Squad

Andy Ezekiel lets one through his hands

A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.

Market

El-Kanemi Warriors are about to pick up the phone

A conversation is coming this week. Bayelsa United will put a number on him, and from there it stops being football and becomes arithmetic.

In brief

55 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

16 Aug 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Odah Marshall hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Bayelsa United can pretend not to have heard.

Match

Bayelsa United are in among the leaders

Position 2 and 53 points on the board. Nobody at the ground will say the word out loud yet, and everybody at the ground is thinking it.

Market

Precious Abidoe is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Bayelsa United is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Squad

Edwin Ayiba gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Market

Bendel Insurance are about to pick up the phone

A conversation is coming this week. Bayelsa United will put a number on him, and from there it stops being football and becomes arithmetic.

Match

No goals between Bayelsa United and Barau

Ninety minutes, two goalkeepers with clean gloves, and not one finish worth keeping. Barau will be the happier side with the point.

In brief

47 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

21 Jun 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Bayelsa United up to position 2

40 points on the board and a place in the leading group. Nobody at the ground is saying the word out loud yet.

Market

Bayelsa United turn down Nasarawa United for Isiaq Rasaq

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Market

Victor Ikete is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Bayelsa United is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Match

Bayelsa United find a way past Katsina United

Katsina United made Bayelsa United work for it, but the scoreboard read 2-0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Loan watch

Don-Pedro Samuel keeps scoring at Gor Mahia

19 appearances away from home and 12 goals to show for them. Every one of them makes next summer's conversation a little more expensive.

Squad

Isiaq Rasaq signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Isiaq Rasaq commits to Bayelsa United for another 3 years.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Hassan Oladimeji

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

Andy Ezekiel linked with a move away

The name of Andy Ezekiel keeps appearing in other people's back pages. Bayelsa United say nothing, which says plenty.

Squad

Odah Marshall wants a proper job in this side

Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Odah Marshall has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Bayelsa United know, and have known for weeks.

In brief

43 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

24 May 2027
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Akpos Godbless is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Bayelsa United is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Squad

Andy Ezekiel gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

A bad afternoon for Bayelsa United against Plateau United

0-1 to Plateau United, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

In brief

42 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

17 May 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Bayelsa United up to position 2

33 points on the board and a place in the leading group. Nobody at the ground is saying the word out loud yet.

Market

Isiaq Rasaq is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Bayelsa United is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Squad

Eyong Ofem gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Costly mistake from Andy Ezekiel

An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Andy Ezekiel knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.

Match

Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists take a point apiece

It finished 2-2, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

Squad

Dehinde Ibrahim knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Bayelsa United, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

26 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

25 Jan 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Bina Tombiri hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Bayelsa United can pretend not to have heard.

Market

Bendel Insurance come back empty-handed

The bid was some way short and Bayelsa United did not need long over it. Nobody in the game reads a first refusal as the end of anything.

Market

Otutu Young is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Bayelsa United is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Match

Bayelsa United find a way past Bendel Insurance

Bendel Insurance made Bayelsa United work for it, but the scoreboard read 2-0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Squad

Chinedu Onyinjekwu gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

James Emo knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Bayelsa United, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

24 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

11 Jan 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Bayelsa United turn down Bendel Insurance for Don-Pedro Samuel

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Match

A bad afternoon for Bayelsa United against Plateau United

0-2 to Plateau United, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Squad

The manager makes an example of James Emo

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

Bendel Insurance are about to pick up the phone

A conversation is coming this week. Bayelsa United will put a number on him, and from there it stops being football and becomes arithmetic.

Market

Chinedu Onyinjekwu linked with a move away

The name of Chinedu Onyinjekwu keeps appearing in other people's back pages. Bayelsa United say nothing, which says plenty.

Squad

Somebody is after Favour Onukwuli’s shirt

A new face in his position, and Favour Onukwuli suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Bayelsa United have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.

In brief

23 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

4 Jan 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Okardi Inikurogha says Bayelsa United went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Market

Markson Ojobo hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Bayelsa United can pretend not to have heard.

Market

Don-Pedro Samuel attracts admirers

The name of Don-Pedro Samuel has come up in conversations Bayelsa United were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.

Match

Bayelsa United find a way past Wikki Tourists

Wikki Tourists made Bayelsa United work for it, but the scoreboard read 2-1 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Emmanuel Iroanya

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

James Emo is off the mark for Bayelsa United

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

Squad

Stanley Amon is off the mark for Bayelsa United

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

Market

Ebiabowei Baker placed on the list

Bayelsa United have made Ebiabowei Baker available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.

The terraces

The press have found their man in James Emo

Column inches are not points, but a footballer whose name keeps appearing for the right reasons is a footballer whose price has just gone up.

In brief

20 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

14 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Saro Loveday says Bayelsa United went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

The manager makes an example of James Emo

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Favour Onukwuli asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

In brief

19 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

7 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Don-Pedro Samuel: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Bayelsa United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Andy Ezekiel

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Loan watch

Stanley Amon wants to come home

“I did not go to Ikorodu City to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 2 appearances in 14 matches say the rest.

In brief

15 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

9 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

The manager makes an example of Andy Ezekiel

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Loan watch

Stanley Amon wants to come home

“I did not go to Ikorodu City to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 2 appearances in 10 matches say the rest.

Squad

James Emo back in training

A welcome sight on the training pitch: James Emo has come through recovery and is pushing for a place again.

14 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

2 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Favour Onukwuli gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Boardroom

Wages eat 112% of everything Bayelsa United earn

There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.

Squad

Bayelsa United lose Bunde Ingya

14 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

In brief

13 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

26 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Favour Onukwuli: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Bayelsa United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

James Emo gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Akpos Godbless knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Bayelsa United, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

12 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

19 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

James Emo: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Bayelsa United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Bayelsa United lose Paebi Yungerc

17 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

Edwin Ayiba gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

7 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

14 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

The manager makes an example of Andy Ezekiel

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

Bayelsa United and Nasarawa United cancel each other out

Nil-nil, and few chances worth the name. Nasarawa United came to defend and left with exactly what they came for.

Market

Bayelsa United and Chinedu Chukwu are talking past each other

“There is a gap, and pretending there is not helps nobody.” Neither side has moved, and the calendar is working for exactly one of them.

Squad

Emmanuel Iroanya has taken the shirt

At 27 he is in the side on merit and somebody else is watching from the bench. Places at Bayelsa United are won quietly and lost loudly.

Squad

James Emo unhappy with how he is being used

Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — James Emo has let it be known that he does not like the way Bayelsa United are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.

Market

Bayelsa United put Bernard Okorowanta up for sale

The list is a quiet document with a loud meaning. Bernard Okorowanta may talk to anybody who asks, and everybody at the club understands what that means.

In brief

5 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

31 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Kolawole Oladipo asks to leave Bayelsa United

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Market

Owugha Tonyemiete moves on

Ikorodu City pay $48.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.

Squad

James Emo gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Bayelsa United find a way past Rivers United

Rivers United made Bayelsa United work for it, but the scoreboard read 1-0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Squad

Ebiabowei Baker signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Ebiabowei Baker commits to Bayelsa United for another 2 years.

Market

Wikki Tourists are about to pick up the phone

A conversation is coming this week. Bayelsa United will put a number on him, and from there it stops being football and becomes arithmetic.

Squad

Odah Marshall asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

Squad

Gabriel Biriduba is off the mark for Bayelsa United

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

The terraces

The press have found their man in Gabriel Biriduba

Column inches are not points, but a footballer whose name keeps appearing for the right reasons is a footballer whose price has just gone up.

In brief

2 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

10 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Austria Wien come back empty-handed

The bid was some way short and Bayelsa United did not need long over it. Nobody in the game reads a first refusal as the end of anything.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Edwin Ayiba

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

Bayelsa United find a way past Enyimba

Enyimba made Bayelsa United work for it, but the scoreboard read 1-0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Market

Bayelsa United and Andy Ezekiel are talking past each other

“There is a gap, and pretending there is not helps nobody.” Neither side has moved, and the calendar is working for exactly one of them.

Market

Kolawole Oladipo placed on the list

Bayelsa United have made Kolawole Oladipo available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.

Market

The clock runs on Chinedu Onyinjekwu's contract

61 months left and silence from upstairs — no offer, no talks, nothing for his people to answer. Clubs that let a calendar do their negotiating usually end up negotiating with the calendar.

Squad

Peter Ebimobowei is off the mark for Bayelsa United

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

Squad

Somebody is after James Emo’s shirt

A new face in his position, and James Emo suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Bayelsa United have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.

Squad

Fabby Clark knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Bayelsa United, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

1 Edition

The Bayelsa United Courier

3 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Kolawole Oladipo hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Bayelsa United can pretend not to have heard.

Market

Austria Wien watching Chinedu Onyinjekwu

The interest is real enough to have reached print. Bayelsa United have said nothing, which in a transfer window is its own kind of answer.

Squad

Peter Ebimobowei stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Peter Ebimobowei and Bayelsa United agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

The manager makes an example of James Emo

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

A bad afternoon for Bayelsa United against Warri Wolves

0-1 to Warri Wolves, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Market

Talks stall between Bayelsa United and Mustapha Jawad

“We are a long way apart, and pretending otherwise helps nobody.” Neither side is close, and the calendar is not on the club's side.

In brief