BAYELSA UNITED PROMOTION: A REVIEW OF STRIKER ROBERT MIZO INFLUENCE AND HIS ABILITY TO BE THE TEAM TALISMAN IN THE NPFL

By Juri Avwarosuo Jonathan.

Yenagoa/Bayelsa (6th, October 2022): The Story of how Bayelsa United Football Club of Yenagoa overcame Nigeria Sports Politics with thorough planning, hardwork and determination is now a stale news in the media but the heroic of Striker Robert Mizo who scored the two most important goals of the season in my opinion that helped Bayelsa United sealed their fourth promotion ticket, back to the Nigeria Professional Football League is my subject of today’s write up.

The Scoring Potentials of Robert Mizo, a rising product of grassroot football, who hails from Aperetia ( Imiringi) Community in Ogbia Council of Bayelsa State was first noticed between 2016/ 2018 period when he netted about 17 goals for defunct George Turnah Fc of Ogbia , a team that contested in the third tier league of Nigerian Football and consequently the player joined Bayelsa United the following year, 2019.

On arrival at Promotion Chasing Bayelsa United Football Club, Mizo scored a handful of crucial goals in his first two seasons with the club,among these were his brace against Remo Stars of Ikenne and the spectacular home and away goals be netted against Bendel Insurance of Benin.

Towards the end of previous season, Christian Robert Mizo had injury troubles and upon full recovery, he played vital role in the team National Aiteo Cup Victory over Nassarawa United and at the same time, his further contributions towards Bayelsa United Fc Confederation Cup engagement were quite impressive untill they got eliminated by Cs Sfaxien of Tunisia late last year.

When the promotion race began on 22nd of February, this year against Nnewi United at the Nembe City Stadium,Ogbolomabiri,The 22 year old attacker established himself self as the preferred Centre Forward for the team and rest of his appearances was so impactful and influencial to Bayelsa United Promotion story.

The Former Prolince Fc of Uganda trialist attributes of power, Intelligence with the ball, balance and nimble footwork were among many of his game Hallmark that assisted his team to turn around a poor start of the season while he also registered his name on the scoring sheet in the process against Arch Rival, Warri Wolves at Warri,Delta State and later got his first brace of the Season against Ottasolo Fc of Lagos in Yenagoa.

During the crucial stages of the NNL groub B2 matches of the second round fixtures,Bayelsa United desperately needed an away three points to be in pole position to top the league table and Robert Mizo came to the limelight when he scored the lone goal against Abia Comets in Umuahia Township Stadium, making him the only player that scored an away wining goal for the club in the last two seasons.

On the13th day of August, 2022. Bayelsa came into the week 24 important match against Warri wolves on same points and again, it was Robert Mizo who perfected the magical moment in the closing minutes of the game when he blocked Warri Wolves Goalkeeper from Daniel Ekpo’s rebound freekick that eventually paved way for Midfielder, Bina Tombiri, who smashed the ball into an empty net sending the few club stakeholders in attendance to frenzy and the game later ended with Bayelsa United taking a firm three points lead on top of the NNL Group B2 table.

On the Final day of the NNL Season when Bayelsa United needed a win against Cynosure Fc of Ebonyi to complete the promotion victory song, Dazzling winger, Iniekade Timitimi had gotten the curtain raiser for the home team with few minutes to the end of the first half, but the second half became very tensed as Cynosure came close on many occasions to draw level. In the Last ten minutes of game, The fans echoed Robert Mizo name loudly who was confirmed to be rested on the bench for a minor knock he suffered in the team build up to the big match day.

Coach Diepreye Teibowei thereafter brought in Mizo into the game and in less than four minutes on the pitch, he connected Stephen Wisdom low cross in the box before he had a world class finish that compelled the Cynoure Safehand static in the goal line, a moment that define a new era and status for Bayelsa United and the hour where the long term hope of Governor Douye Diri and the good people of Bayelsa State to witness Premier League Football was sealed.

Robert Mizo ran to the team Supporters Club main stand and a temporary scene of joy that puts the Striker in the Glory status of Ex- international Victor Ikpeba at Monaco of France was created in the Stadium.

In the course of my recent reportorial duties in Bayelsa State, I have monitored Bayelsa United Fc Preparations for the Npfl test and I can affirm, that with players like,Inspiring Alex Oyowah,Stephen Wisdom,Favour Martin’s,Vice Captain Gabriel Biriduba who will consists the fulcrum of the team next season may perhaps provides all the assistance and team work ,the Striker may need to enhance his chances of emerging as the team talisman when the Npfl season gets underway.

Some more factors that are certain and as well convincing is the Player experience to Excell in one on one situation, ability to Score with his head and his power technique to outplay defenders in the big stage who I believe will struggle with his pace and his ball movement when he is pushing for goals.

The soft spoken Striker told JurisuoSports in an exclusive interview that, he is ready to Play a big role in the Bayelsa Continental chase when the 2022/2023 Npfl seasons begins and I strongly agree with his assertion that he is good to be among the few players who will be going for the league Golden Boot award won by Rivers United Attacker, Chijioke Akuneto last season.

In achieving this feat, I write to urge the Player in focus, Robert Mizo to improve on his finishing touch and as well maintains his work rate ethics in training and during matches.