By Nurullahi Babangida
Barau FC head coach, Ladan Bosso, says his team must bounce back quickly from their goalless draw against Enyimba in the opening match of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Sunday.
The newly promoted side, cheered on by over 20,000 supporters, showed promise against the record NPFL champions but failed to convert several late chances.
Despite the missed opportunities, Bosso praised his players’ resilience and the fans’ support throughout the encounter.
“It was a match we planned to win. We approached it like an operation, not a compromise,” Bosso told reporters after the game.
“The way we played, we deserved the victory. But football is what it is. We missed our chances, and they came with a style we were able to resist. At the end of the day, both teams did their best.”
Bosso admitted that the opening weeks of the season are usually tricky but described the draw as a solid start for Barau FC in their debut NPFL campaign.
“Normally, the first four or five matches come with surprises. When you plan something and don’t get the result, you just have to take it in good faith. For us, it’s still a good start for the team and for the NPFL organisers,” he said.
Looking Ahead to Bayelsa United Tes
Bosso will next lead Barau FC against Bayelsa United — the club he managed last season — and he is relishing the opportunity to make a statement against his former employers.
“We have to bounce back immediately. Bayelsa United is my second home; I know the team and the environment. If Enyimba could come here and get a point, then we should be able to go to Bayelsa and come back with something,” Bosso declared.
Match Recap
Barau FC, nicknamed The Maliya Boys, impressed on their NPFL debut but had to settle for a share of the spoils against Enyimba International. Despite creating several scoring chances towards the closing stages, Enyimba’s defence held firm to frustrate the home side.
The result leaves Barau FC with their first point of the season as they prepare for a tough away fixture in Yenagoa against Bayelsa United next weekend.