3 December 2008
interview
Lagos — Most people would like to take a piece of information about the players of a clubside in Nigeria taking home a winning bonus as heavy as N100,000. Yet that is what comes into the pocket of Bayelsa United these days when they win on the trot. This has been making the players to become highly motivated.
For some time, the team has been in banishment to Ibadan from their home in Delta State. But now, they are back in their old lair and the members of the technical crew, particularly the Technical adviser, Chief Meinkeme Fekete could not seem to stop bristling over what has been like good fortune in the few weeks they have spent playing in the ancient western Nigerian town. Now he is leaving with good memories and readily agrees he is happy to leave after playing three home matches at the Ibadan Adamasingba Stadium. His team's banishment came as a result of fans unruly behaviour in Oghara, his team's home base.
After beating Sunshine Stars International 1-0 on Sunday, he said the banishment worked in their favour. He added that his players would always play their hearts out because they are not paid poorly. Below is an excerpt of an interview with him.
You played three home matches away from home in Ibadan, what positives are you drawing from this?
In a way, that banishment was like a blessing in disguise. We played under closed doors where no single fan is allowed to see our matches. We are able to concentrate on the game. The coaches and players benefited a lot. The people of Ibadan are wonderful, how I wish we could stay a little longer under a situation where they would now be allowed to watch us. But home is home, we return this week to Yenagoa a different team because of the lessons we have taken from our period of banishment.
Do you have any regret whatsoever?
As a football club, you want your fans to see you, but we have endured their absence, not only in playing away from home but in not having them allowed into the stadium to cheer us on. Also, the financial burden has been immense. We have spent a lot of money in that period that we had spent away from home. We had spent so much because it had meant for us that any time we would be playing home, we traveled to Ibadan. In effect, it meant we were traveling every week. As we traveled for our away matches, so we did too for the home ones. So we had spent a lot of money.
Oustside the heavy outlay, we are now returning home a happy and fulfilled side. God has helped us here. We are now leading the table and we have scored more goals than we did in three matches at home.
How are you planning to sustain the momentum, therefore?
The league is still young. Out of 38 matches, we have only played 13 weeks. The players must count themselves lucky for being where they are today. My message to them is that they work harder because when you are on top, the opposition grows. Apart from the league, we are also preparing for the Confederation Cup.
You came third last season, what is the target for this season?
After coming third, the second position may not be very exciting. So, winning the title is our target.
What is the government of Bayelsa doing to help you actualise your dreams?
Governor Timipre Sylva is our number one supporter and financier. He ensures that money is released to pay bills and take care of our welfare. We owe him a lot for his love for the club. When we beat JUTH FC in Jos, each player got N100,000 as bonus. Normally, winning bonus in N50,000 but the chairman doubled it. The coaching crew got even more, it is no secret that I got about N400,000. That is to show you how much money the governor commits to the club.
Football club is no longer as it used to be, it involves money and the chairman, Bari Bote Victor Rumson is doing well.
Are you saying that the huge wage to players is why they are doing well?
When you are appreciated, you will like to impress your employers.
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