Bayelsa United head coach Meremu Okara has issued a defiant statement ahead of the final three matches of the 2025/2026 NPFL season, insisting the team will avoid relegation despite sitting 19th in the league standings with 40 points. Speaking with Completesports.com on Tuesday, Okara urged fans to remain calm and confident, emphasizing that the “Restoration Boys” are fully focused on securing all nine available points from their remaining fixtures. He stressed that the team’s survival in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) is not in doubt, even as rivals Kun Khalifat (18th) and Wikki Tourists (20th) also hold 40 points.
Okara, a former defender, acknowledged the current difficulty but remained optimistic, saying challenges like this often bring out the best in determined teams. He declared that the club will not be relegated, and that the remaining games are winnable. The coach outlined a clear plan: two home games and one away fixture, totaling nine points that he insists are non-negotiable. “Our battle cry is ‘no retreat, no surrender’,” he said, adding that the players understand this is now or never.
The upcoming fixtures are critical. Bayelsa United will host Rangers in Yenagoa this weekend, then travel to face 15th-placed Remo Stars in Matchday 37, before closing the season with a home game against Kwara United. Both Remo Stars and Kwara United are also fighting for survival, making these matches high-stakes encounters. Okara admitted that playing against teams in similar situations adds complexity, but he believes it also makes the campaign more exciting. “We’re prepared for the tussle,” he said, reaffirming the team’s readiness.
He also highlighted the importance of the mission, not just for the club but for the government and people of Bayelsa State. The coach’s confidence is rooted in the team’s preparation and determination, as well as the belief that every point matters in the final stretch. Despite recent setbacks, including a loss to Abia Warriors due to wastefulness, Okara remains focused on the bigger picture. He sees the remaining matches as opportunities to prove resilience and secure a place in next season’s NPFL.
As the season enters its final phase, Bayelsa United’s fate hangs in the balance, but under Okara’s leadership, the team is rallying with a clear goal: to stay in the top flight. The coming weeks will test their character, but the coach’s message is clear — survival is not just possible, it is inevitable.
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