In its quest to improve upon Bayelsa United's last year's lethargic performance in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the management of the club on Friday, August 23, 2024 unveiled 10 newly-signed players.
The unveiling ceremony, which took place at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Sports Development at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, is coming on the heels of the club's victory at the recently-concluded Governor Douye Diri Pre-Season Football Tournament, where the Yenagoa-based team dusted all comers to cart home the N1.5 million prize for the winners of the competition.
The new players will enhance the squad depth of the club as they are expected to invigorate the team ahead of the 2024/2025 NPFL season slated to kick off on August 31, 2024.
Speaking during the brief ceremony, chairman of Bayelsa United Football Club, Mr Ebiki Timitimi congratulated members of the team for emerging champions of the maiden edition of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-Season Tournament, pointing out that their victory is a stepping stone to greater success in the 2024/25 football season.
Mr. Timitimi urged the players to bring to bear the same vigour and seriousness applied during the Pre-Season Tournament when the league season commences.
The chairman, who urged the newly-signed players not to betray the confidence reposed in them, enjoined them to put in their very best to improve the team.
He said the Senator Douye Diri-led administration doled out so much money to sign the players because government does not want a recurrence of what happened last season when the club struggled to remain afloat almost throughout the season.
The new players include Daniel Bameyi, who is the captain of the men's Under-20 national football team, Goforth Amady, Barnabas Ingya, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Rabiu Abdullahi and Hadi Mohamed.
The other additions to the team are Ajibola Matthew, Daweil Sadiq, Akpokabowei Solomon, a product of the Governor Diri Prosperity Cup, who was sourced from Eternal Grace Ministry and Godbless Akpos, who is coming in from Bendel Insurance.
Daniel Bameyi is pitching tent with Bayelsa United from Yum Yum FC of Abuja, Goforth Amady arrived from FC One Rocket of Akwa Ibom State while Rabiu Abdullahi is coming in from Tudun Wada United of Kano State.
Auwal Sadiq is arriving from Warinji Academy, Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kano Pillars, Yahaya Ibrahim from Kastina United while forward, Hadi Mohammed is from Akwa United of Uyo.
Three of the newly-signed players, Daniel Bameyi, Akpokabowei Solomon and Barnabas Ingya in separate interviews, expressed gratitude to the almighty God and the management of Bayelsa United for the opportunity to be part of a household name like Bayelsa United.
They expressed confidence that the Prosperity Boys will have a more fruitful season, adding that their priority is to return the team to the continent.
The new players, who were selected from among over 70 players invited for trials, have already started training with the team.
This development of signing a whopping 10 new players will be a soothing balm to the frayed nerves of the teeming supporters of Bayelsa United, who have been wondering if the club will not be signing new players for the new season.
An elated fan, John Ekiobiriowei, who spoke to our reporter said "it is now they are talking. We have been worried that the new season would be starting in a few days time and the camp of our darling team had been silent concerning new players. Now the management has done the needful, we are good to go. With these crop of new players the new season will not be like last season".
