Exodus Hits Bayelsa Utd

Following the relegation of 2008/2009 Premier League champion, Bayelsa United, at the recently-concluded campaign, Naijaligue.blogspot.com can reveal that the Yenagoa-based side would be hit by mass exit of key players.

More than half of the playing personnel, it has been learnt, are seeking new challenges elsewhere within the country and outside.

A camp source revealed to our correspondent that as much as 20 players have already set their eyes on the exit door of the former Nigerian champion after a dismal performance in the immediate past season.

Some of the players that could dump the club in the wake of its shock demotion from the top tier of Nigeria’s professional league are Gbemi Akinrolabu, Bassey Akpan, Emmanuel Fabiyi, Sele George, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Osas Okoro and Bernard Okorowanta.

Others like to join new clubs before the start of next season in September are Mannir Ubale, Vincent Kipu Pere, Kola Ige, Ameh Aruwa, Kola Awe and Michael Andrew among others.

Among the mentioned players, only former Under-23 national team player, Okonkwo, has owned up that he would not be playing with Bayelsa United next season in the lower division.

The 21-year-old defender opened up that he already has a deal in waiting for him at an undisclosed club in Europe.

However, other players mentioned in this report did not want to comment.

One of the players simply said he is unaware of reports linking him with a move away from the relegated club, but would consider his future at the side.

“I am hearing for this for the first time. But I will think about it because as a player I would not want to play in the lower division when all the concentration is on the Premier League now. I believe that the Premier League will be bigger and explosive next season, so I will consider my future with Bayelsa United and by next season I will know where I will be playing,” the player said while pleading for anonymity.

Our source, who made this disclosure about the exodus looming at Bayelsa United, also pointed out that most of the players are owed contract fees and allowances from previous seasons.

In a passing comment one of the players set to dump the club disclosed that he is owed a total of N8 million by Bayelsa United, but would leave and hopes that his money is paid later.

“They are owing me N7 million signing-on fees. Then if I include other allowances it would amount to N8 million in total. But I will leave the club and I will be waiting for them to pay or else I know what to do,” he said.