The Barau Courier
Market20 Sep 2032
Isaac Simon 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 Barau can pretend not to have heard.
Player ratings20 Sep 2032
Loiange Ondoa was unplayable
Successful dribbles: 22. He went past people as if he had been told there was a prize for it, and by the end the full-back had stopped pretending to try.
Transfer targets20 Sep 2032
Barau rebuffed over Jamilu Dennis
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Remo Stars have kept their man, and Barau go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
Squad20 Sep 2032
A falling-out at Barau
Thabiso Msele and a teammate went at it, and not about football. Training grounds are small places and a long season makes them smaller.
Market20 Sep 2032
Barau promote Moses Abacha from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Moses Abacha has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Market20 Sep 2032
Ndidi Omeruo steps up from the Barau academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Ndidi Omeruo has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market20 Sep 2032
Barau promote Joshua Balogun from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Joshua Balogun has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Squad20 Sep 2032
Ndidi Olayinka signs on for more
“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Ndidi Olayinka and Barau agree another 3 years.
Squad20 Sep 2032
Serge Obassa gifts one
A goalkeeper’s error has no defender behind it to tidy it away. He knew before the ball crossed the line, the crowd knew a second later, and there is nothing anybody can say tonight.
In brief
- The dugout Serge Obassa is still being punished for one mistake
- Match Bilyamin Abdullahi rescues a point for Barau
- The dugout Victor Babatunde on the point