Embattled coach of Bayelsa United, Ladan Bosso has declared that contrary to what people believe, the problem of the team is not in the coaching department.
Speaking after his team fumbled to a slim 2-1 win over Bendel Insurance on Sunday, March 2, 2025, Bosso emphasized that the problem is neither the coach, the management nor the players, adding that the problem is "environmental".
Bosso, who used "environmental" factors to mean supporters, put the blame of the poor form of the club squarely on the doorstep of some supporters who are driven by selfish interests.
He alleged that the handful of supporters who are complaining are doing so because they have candidates among the players and are disturbed on account of the fact that their favourite players are not being fielded.
When asked about the poor performance of the club which the fans are not happy about, Bosso said, "forget about the fans. I know there are fans with interests and that is what is happening. The problem of Bayelsa United is not coaching; the problem of the team is not the management and neither is the problem the players. The problem of the team is purely environmental (sic). People are here because of their selfish interests. They are complaining because this player or that player is not playing. That is why they are saying Bosso this, Bosso that".
He however said he is not here to allow such petty concerns bother him, stressing that he has made a name for himself in the world of coaching and he has to protect that name by doing what he believes is right in the overall interest of the team.
It is not clear how the opinion of supporters concerning who should be fielded can translate to a problem when such aggrieved supporters are not in a position to compel him (Bosso) to use their favoured players.
Calls put across to coach Bosso to expatiate on his claim that the problem of the team is "environmental" were not picked, neither did he return the calls. In the same vein, he did not respond to a text message sent to his phone number.
Coach Bosso's claim that the problem of Bayelsa United is "environmental" is coming on the heels of a protest that Ladan Bosso should go. As soon as the game started, two supporters marched round a section of the stands displaying placards with the front reading "Bosso Must Go" while the back of one of the placards carried the inscription "Sign Bayelsa Boys". The flip side of the placard of the second protesting supporter read "We Want 60% Indigenous Players".
On his part, Head Coach of Bendel Insurance, Greg Ikhenoba said they came with a game plan to win but most unfortunately it did not work, pointing out that in football, you win some, you lose some. He said they will go back home and prepare for their next match.
According to Ikhenoba "The game has been won and lost. We came here with a strategy and that is to win but things didn't work out that way. Bayelsa United is not a bad side. We must accord them that respect. Football is a game of win or lose. You can win today; tomorrow you lose. We will keep working hard. We will keep our focus. Next week is another game. We will go home, prepare and plan".
In the match decided earlier at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, Bayelsa United secured a crucial win after they came from behind to defeat Bendel Insurance of Benin by two goals to one.
The visitors opened scoring in the 37th minute after Oke Solomon timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap of Bayelsa United and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
Emo James got the equalizer at the nick of half time after he connected a well-placed pass from Ifeanyi Ogba to fire home a rocket of a volley.
In the 65th minute of play Bayelsa United went ahead after substitute Bina Tombiri pounced on a long throw-in from Loveday Saro to settle score at 2-1.
