Bayelsa United technical adviser Meremu Okara has pointed to a lack of concentration as the primary cause for his side’s narrow 1-0 loss against Abia Warriors on Monday. The “Prosperity Boys” left the Umuahia Township Stadium empty-handed following a tightly contested Matchday 33 fixture, where a single goal from Chukwuemeka Obioma proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Okara’s assessment of the performance centered on the disparity in clinical finishing and defensive discipline. While expressing frustration over the decisive goal conceded, the tactician also lamented his squad’s failure to capitalize on their own offensive openings, which he believes ultimately cost them a positive result in the regional encounter.
During his post-match media debrief, Okara emphasized that the fundamental nature of the sport punished his team for their inability to convert superior goal-scoring opportunities.
“The game of football’s all about goalscoring and creating chances which we didn’t take in the game,” Okara remarked. “Abia Warriors scored once due to the carelessness of our defenders, we created about three chances which we didn’t take.”
The outcome has left Bayelsa United in a precarious position within the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings. Currently occupying 16th place, the club remains uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, trailing significantly behind an Abia Warriors side that moved into the top four with the victory. As the season nears its conclusion, the pressure is mounting on Okara and his staff to address these recurring defensive errors and improve their efficiency in front of goal to ensure top-flight survival.
