By Wale Mustapha
Bayelsa United Technical Adviser Meremu Okara has urged his players to replicate the hunger and intensity they showed in their victory over Abia Warriors when they take on Wikki Tourists this weekend in Bauchi.
The Yenagoa club edged Abia Warriors 2–1 in a hard-fought Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 13 encounter last Sunday, a result that helped lift spirits in the camp following a spell of inconsistent performances.
Okara described the win as a confidence boost but cautioned that the trip to Bauchi presents an even tougher challenge.
He called for focus and discipline from his squad, insisting that the team must display the same fighting spirit to secure a positive result on the road.
“We have to approach the game with the same determination we showed against Abia Warriors,” Okara told the club’s media in his pre-match comments.
“If we maintain that level of commitment, we can come out of Bauchi with a good result.”
The coach also stressed the need for improved concentration, warning that any lapses could prove costly against a Wikki Tourists side renowned for their aggressive style, especially at home.
Bayelsa United sit 10th on the NPFL table following their win over Abia Warriors.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
