“We pay for this every fortnight. The least we want is somebody who looks like he cares.” 7 of the 32 senior players walked off into it; the rest were not playing.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Nupe Godstime 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.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 7 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Nupe Godstime and Bayelsa United agree another 5 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“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.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Bayelsa United they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
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.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Kenneth Sheddy has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Bayelsa United know, and have known for weeks.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
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.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“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.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Bayelsa United have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Abia Warriors will want this one forgotten quickly: 3-0, every duel lost, and a long ride home. Bayelsa United were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
A 1-0 win over Rivers United, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
4 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
A season average of 7.18 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Bayelsa United know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Nupe Godstime has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Bayelsa United know, and have known for weeks.
“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.
3 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
“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.
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.
Warri Wolves will want this one forgotten quickly: 4-0, every duel lost, and a long ride home. Bayelsa United were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
A season average of 7.00 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Bayelsa United know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
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.
“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.
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.
Shooting Stars will want this one forgotten quickly: 4-1, every duel lost, and a long ride home. Bayelsa United were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
In brief
MarketThe window shut and Chinedu Chukwu is still in the building
“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.
“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.
A 2-1 win over El-Kanemi Warriors, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“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.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
The board have signed the man in the dugout to a longer contract, which says more than any statement of support. Stability is easy to promise and costly to keep.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Chinedu Onyinjekwu and Bayelsa United agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Oche Babatunde is back at Bayelsa United, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
The shirt still fits. Chinedu Ekong is back at Bayelsa United, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Saro Loveday and Bayelsa United agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“I did not go to Warri Wolves to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 10 appearances in 47 matches say the rest.
“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.
“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.
“I did not go to Kano Pillars to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 3 appearances in 13 matches say the rest.
“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.
“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.
“I did not go to Warri Wolves to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 10 appearances in 43 matches say the rest.
“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.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Kelvin Ihunwo and Bayelsa United agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Peter Ebimobowei has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I did not go to Kano Pillars to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 3 appearances in 9 matches say the rest.
“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.
“I did not go to Warri Wolves to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 10 appearances in 39 matches say the rest.
“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.
“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.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Mustapha Jawad plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
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.
“I did not go to Warri Wolves to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 10 appearances in 35 matches say the rest.
“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.
“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.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 5 appearances in 33 say he has earned the hearing.
A 1-0 win over Nasarawa United, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Bayelsa United have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Chris Van Hattum arrives at Bayelsa United with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 10 appearances in 31 say he has earned the hearing.
He is 17, and nobody at Bayelsa United signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
The name of Nupe Godstime has come up in conversations Bayelsa United were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
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.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Emmanuel Solomon and Bayelsa United agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“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.
“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.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Bayelsa United they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Moyi Hassan will call it something else in private.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
“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.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Bayelsa United they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“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.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Bayelsa United they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Uche Moses will call it something else in private.
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.
“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.
The name of Nupe Godstime has come up in conversations Bayelsa United were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 3 appearances in 21 say he has earned the hearing.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Bayelsa United has been clear about where Chinedu Chukwu stands, which is more than many ever get.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Bayelsa United they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Dehinde Ibrahim and Bayelsa United agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“I did not go to Warri Wolves to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 9 appearances in 19 matches say the rest.
The award is a small thing with a heavy meaning: for four weeks nobody in this division did his job better. Bayelsa United have the trophy on a shelf and the player in the side.
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.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
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.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 1 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Nupe Godstime and Bayelsa United agree another 5 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“I did not go to Warri Wolves to sit and watch. I want to come back to Bayelsa United and fight for my place.” 5 appearances in 15 matches say the rest.
“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.
“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.
A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Kolawole Oladipo: 1 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 1 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
“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.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“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.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 4 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
“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.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Bunu Sale 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.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 1 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
A 1-0 win over Rangers International, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“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.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Kwara United defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Kano Pillars defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“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.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Kolawole Oladipo suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Bayelsa United have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Godwin Dede arrives at Bayelsa United with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
A 1-0 win over Katsina United, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“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.
The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.
Market7 Feb 2028
The window shut and Odah Marshall is still in the building
Bayelsa United spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Gabriel Biriduba and Bayelsa United agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
A new face in his position, and Gabriel Biriduba suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Bayelsa United have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“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.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Bunu Sale arrives at Bayelsa United with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
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.
“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.
A 2-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
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.
“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.
The deal that would have taken Chinedu Onyinjekwu to Barau has collapsed at the last stage, and he reports back to Bayelsa United with a summer to forget and a season still to play. Nobody is saying which side walked away.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Don-Pedro Samuel and Bayelsa United agree another 5 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
A new deal for the man in the dugout, and the clearest thing a board can say without calling a press conference about it. Stability is cheap to promise and expensive to deliver.
The shirt still fits. Ifeanyi Ekong is back at Bayelsa United, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
The shirt still fits. Aminu Nwakali is back at Bayelsa United, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Akinkunmi Iheanacho is back at Bayelsa United, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 3 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
“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.
“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.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Gabriel Biriduba plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Peter Ebimobowei has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“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.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 3 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Kelvin Ihunwo and Bayelsa United agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“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.
“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 9 matches say the rest.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 3 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
“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.
A season average of 7.08 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Bayelsa United know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Contract settled, hands shaken, no fee changing hands. Precious Abidoe leaves Bayelsa United the quiet way, and the wage bill breathes a little easier.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Bayelsa United they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
A season average of 7.08 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Bayelsa United know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Bayelsa United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
A 1-0 win over Rivers United, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Bayelsa United, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Bayelsa United pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.