Technical Adviser of Bayelsa Starlets Academy, Edema Fuludu says the team is finally getting its rhythm after one month of intensive and rigorous training exercise with the lads in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State, capital.
Coach Fuludu gave the assessment shortly after the last friendly match against FC Silina at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa having defeated Hope Alive FC and Brazil FC earlier.
He noted that he was pleased with the momentum of the lads within a short period of his taking over the team with unity and love among each other in the team, stating that he was satisfied with the rhythm of the side.
According to him, the team is an assemblage of old players of the team and young players from the season 8 of the Prosperity Cup, where over two hundred players were selected during the tournament for screening exercise before it was trimmed to twenty five players that would fly the team colours.
He explained that he is currently working on the team to get used to the philosophy that is modeled on them by taking possession, press high, and score goals, maintaining that is not an easy feat to achieve that the team needs to be physically fit to undertake such task.
Coach Fuludu further explained that, the series of friendly matches played recently has improved the lads physically and technically, pointing out that the confidence and concentration level of the lads has drastically grown.
Starlets hummered Hope Alive of Otuoke five nil, edge out Brazil FC by three goals to two before suffering slim one defeat against FC Silina, but despite the defeat, the former international, said he was not bothered about scorelines but he is concerned about quality of football and discipline in the team.
He commended the lads for the show of determination and commitment throughout the process, urging them not to rest on their oars till they get to the pinnacle of their respective careers.
”I am not concerned about results, I am concerned about the structure and the shape my boys are playing. If you see me in training I’m always pushing them in structural place in order for them to know what to do because insight is key, awareness is important in the field. So it is not all about grinding victory but it is good for the team to boost their ego”, Fuludu stated.
”I am putting confidence in a lot of the boys, I have pushed them physically, and I have to push them more to improve their confidence level, get them the awareness, make all of them feel they are leaders because when they have leadership qualities they play as a team” Fuludu maintained.
The management of the Nationwide League One recently confirmed Bayelsa Starlets Academy’s status to participate in the 2026 U-19 Youth League in a letter signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the league, Dr. Olushola Ogunnowo.
It will be recalled that the Bayelsa Starlets Academy is an upgraded and expanded football team, founded in 2019 and participated in the African Youth Championship in Cape Verde where they finished third among international clubs, and later went on to win the Bayelsa State League in 2020.
