The Maliya Boys ended the season in eighth position on the league table, finishing five points clear of the relegation zone and securing another year in Nigeria’s top flight.
For a club competing in the NPFL shortly after earning promotion, Kalu believes avoiding relegation was a significant achievement and a testament to the collective effort of the players, coaching staff and management.
Speaking about the team's performance, the defender stressed that survival was the primary objective from the beginning of the season.
“We just have to fight to remain in the NPFL as we all know Barau FC is a club that just got promoted we just have to maintain that status,” Orji told Totori News.
Building on a Solid Foundation
Having successfully met their main target, Kalu is now looking ahead with optimism and believes the club can set more ambitious objectives in the coming campaign.
The defender expressed confidence that Barau FC can build on the lessons learned this season and compete for greater achievements beyond simply avoiding the drop.
“We will see how we can achieve more than avoiding relegation in the next campaign,” he added.
Federation Cup Run Boosts Confidence
Beyond their league survival, Barau FC have also enjoyed a positive run in the 2026 President Federation Cup, further highlighting the club’s progress.
The team booked a place in the quarter-finals after overcoming Sunshine Stars U-19 in the Round of 16, keeping alive hopes of a memorable cup campaign.
With their NPFL status secured and a Federation Cup quarter-final to look forward to, Barau FC can reflect on a season that has laid a strong foundation for future growth. The focus now shifts to building a more competitive squad capable of challenging for higher positions and establishing the club as a consistent force in Nigerian football.