FCB Nyasa Big Bullets striker Babatunde Adepoju has revealed why his move to South African side Venda Academy in 2023 didn’t pan out as expected.
The Nigerian forward, who joined the National Division League team on a three-year contract for around MK50 million from Bullets, managed to score just four goals in the 2022-23 season before returning to Bullets on loan in 2024.
Babatunde left Bullets after an impressive run, racking up 34 goals and 10 assists in 46 games since his arrival in July 2021 from Mighty Wanderers. Upon his return, he quickly regained his scoring touch and has now featured in 100 games for Bullets, netting a total of 59 goals.
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Speaking in an interview with the club’s “Maule Talks” show, Babatunde described his time at Venda as “a move that never worked,” expressing hope for better future decisions.
“A lot of things happened there; the environment wasn’t good for me as a footballer,” Babatunde explained. “I wasn’t given much chance, and there was a lot of competition right from the onset. I’m not one to regret, though. I just had to pick myself up, keep going, and it’s paying off for me now.”
He emphasized the crucial role of game time and a positive environment for a player’s performance. “Game time is very essential in a player’s career. If you can’t get it, you won’t have the confidence to deliver and you’ll make mistakes. A player needs to be mentally free to deliver, and the environment is very important so you are happy and have peace, which was another story there [at Venda].”
Babatunde’s contract with Venda Academy is set to expire in January next year, and a return to South Africa appears unlikely. His loan deal with Bullets also concludes next year. The striker stated his intention to play for Bullets for “as long as he can” and affirmed his availability whenever the club needs him. Sources
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