Bayelsa United will not be relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) this season, according to Tarilaye Nwankwe, Chairman of the club’s Management Committee, who made the bold declaration in an exclusive interview with Completesports.com. The ‘Restoration Boys’ currently sit 19th in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) standings with 40 points, having three matches remaining in the 2025/2026 season. Despite their precarious position, Nwankwe expressed unwavering confidence that the team will survive the relegation battle, citing determination and strategic planning as key factors in their survival.
The club, under the guidance of coach Meremu Okara, is set to face Rangers International, the league leaders, in a crucial Matchday 36 fixture at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday. This high-stakes encounter will be followed by a trip to face Remo Stars in Matchday 37, before concluding the season with a home clash against Kwara United. These fixtures are expected to be decisive in determining Bayelsa United’s fate, as they battle to avoid the drop.
Nwankwe emphasized that the team’s survival is not just a possibility but a certainty. “Bayelsa United won’t go on relegation,” he stated firmly. “We won’t go down, that’s what I want to say. We have three games remaining and, without predicting how the matches will go, what I want to assure you is that we won’t be relegated.” His confidence comes amid intense competition at the bottom of the table, where Bayelsa United, Kano Pillars, and Wikki Tourists are all tied on 40 points. Warri Wolves and El-Kanemi Warriors are just three points ahead with 43 points each, making the final stretch of the season highly unpredictable.
The 2009 NPFL champions have shown resilience throughout the season, and their management remains committed to maintaining their top-flight status. Coach Okara, who has previously spoken of targeting a top-nine finish, continues to focus on tactical discipline and team unity as the season reaches its climax. The club’s supporters remain hopeful, buoyed by the chairman’s assurance and the team’s recent performances.
As the NPFL season enters its final phase, Bayelsa United’s fate hangs in the balance, but the management’s confidence suggests they are determined to stay in the top tier. The outcome of their remaining matches could have lasting implications for the club’s future in Nigerian football.
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