Bayelsa United midfielder Mustapha Jawad has encouraged his teammates to rise up to the battle ahead of the second half of the 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
The Prosperity Boys ended the first round in 18th position.
Jawad said the players need to show commitment for them to maintain their NPFL status.
“It’s a tough one. It’s tough for everyone. Bayelsa United fans or not our position on the table is a concern to everyone at the Club. We’re not in a good spot. But we know what we have to do, we have to take the fight to everyone in the second round,” he told Lodgexpress.
“Obviously, I am a bit unhappy but we have got to brush ourselves down in this mid-season break. We know what we are in for now – it’s a relegation battle, whether you like the facts or not that’s what it is so let’s have it.
“There is no beating around the bush. We are aware of what we are in for, in every game we play from the next round we have to win. We have to avoid a defeat. It’s as simple as that. Pressure or not we have to win games in the second round, there’s no other option.
“The fans are unhappy. It’s disappointing because you want to do it for them, they come here and want to see us do well and win. We need to get out of the position for them. It’s as simple as that.”
Jawad rallies Bayelsa United teammates for relegation battle
