Babatunde Adepoju says he is looking forward to having more memorable seasons at Nyasa Big Bullets.
The Nigerian forward, who joined Bullets from Mighty Wanderers in July, was speaking after winning the 2020-21 TNM Super League title and the 2021 Airtel Top 8 Golden Boot in his first season with The People’s Team.
During the final half of the season at Bullets, the striker scored nine goals in thirteen games he was involved in all competitions; the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Tanzania, CAF Champions League away and home ties against Amazulu FC, TNM Super League [one goal] and the Airtel Top 8 Cup [eight goals].
The 27-year-old says the team’s achievements in the just-ended season, winning a domestic double and finishing as runner-up at the 2021 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Tanzania, is a big motivation for him to do more and achieve more with The People’s Team.
“I would like to have more memorable seasons like the 2020/21 and even more than this. Our achievements as a team in the just-ended season are a big motivation and this has given us a belief that we can do more than what we have achieved this season,” he told club media.
Babatunde believes he is still growing as a player and there is a lot that he has learnt and still learning as he settles down at Bullets.
“I would like to thank the coaches for the patience they have given me and also my teammates for helping me to settle down in the team. It’s been hectic, but I thank God I have been able to understand the way the coaches want me to play.
“There are things I thought I knew until I came here and realized that a lot of things changed. Now there are things I am able to understand more about football and my role, which is helping me to deliver for the team.
“I thank God for the Golden Boot because as I said, it hasn’t been easy since I joined this club and I am so happy that I have won the award and I hope this will motivate me to do well next season.”
Despite scoring eight goals in the Airtel Top 8, the striker missed the final game against Silver Strikers due to suspension and while saying it was painful missing the cup final, the forward said he was glad that fellow teammates delivered in his absence.
“It was very painful to miss such a memorable event, but the good thing is that we won the cup. I can’t say a lot but I am just very grateful to my teammates who delivered and won the cup in my absence. It was a day to remember and we are very grateful to God for the successful season.”
Babatunde scored a brace in each of the two-legged quarter-final tie Bullets played against MAFCO FC, progressing to the semi-final with a 5-2 goal aggregate.
The Nigerian scored four goals against his former team Wanderers to inspire The People’s Team to a 4-1 victory and book a spot in the final and win the cup after beating Silver Strikers 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
