Bayelsa United have officially resumed training as the club begins preparations for the 2026/27 Nigeria National League (NNL) season with one clear objective: earning a swift return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Yenagoa-based side held its first training session at the Samson Siasia Stadium as preparations got underway for a new campaign that will be defined by one major ambition getting back to Nigeria’s top flight.
Bayelsa United’s return to training comes after a difficult 2025/26 season that ended with the club’s relegation from the NPFL. The setback has now forced the club to regroup, rebuild and prepare for what promises to be a demanding promotion campaign.
For a club with a history of competing at the highest level of Nigerian football, life in the NNL is not where Bayelsa United want to remain. The message from the club is clear: the focus is on returning stronger.
The first training session marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bayelsa United, with the coaching staff expected to use the preseason period to assess the squad, improve the team’s fitness levels and build a competitive side capable of challenging for promotion.
The club’s preparations also come against the backdrop of a wider restructuring effort aimed at putting Bayelsa United back on a stronger footing.
Experienced coach Abdul Maikaba was recently unveiled as the club’s new Technical Adviser, with the Bayelsa State Government making an immediate return to the NPFL a major target for the team. The appointment underlines the seriousness of the club’s promotion ambition and the desire to restore Bayelsa United to the top tier.
Maikaba brings considerable experience to the challenge, but the road back to the NPFL will not be easy. The NNL is highly competitive, and Bayelsa United will need consistency, strong recruitment and a clear football identity if they are to achieve their objective.
The club is also expected to place greater emphasis on developing local talent. Reports surrounding the new technical structure indicate that the team has been encouraged to give significant opportunities to players from Bayelsa State, strengthening the connection between the club and grassroots football in the state.
That approach could prove important as Bayelsa United begin rebuilding.
The club has previously been recognised as one of the established names in Nigerian football, and its return to the NPFL would be welcomed by supporters who have watched the team compete at the highest level.
But promotion will not be won on reputation alone. Bayelsa United must now turn their preseason work into results when the competitive season begins.
The players will have to respond to the demands of the new campaign, while the coaching staff will be tasked with creating a team that can handle the pressure of a promotion race from start to finish.
The club’s return to training is therefore more than just the beginning of preseason preparations. It is the first major step in an attempt to rebuild confidence, restore ambition and reignite the club’s place among Nigeria’s elite football sides.
With the target firmly set on the NPFL, Bayelsa United now have a long season ahead. The mission is simple. The journey back begins now.
