For di match against Botafogo, Bahia don suffer early blow. Kike Olivera, di Uruguayan striker, bin take knock for im right foot after 24 minutes for di first half. Na pisão cause am, and e no fit continue. Coach Rogério Ceni bin call Ademir to replace am for Casa de Aposta Arena Fonte Nova, for di 18th round of Campeonato Brasileiro.
Di injury come add to Bahia wahala. Dem already dey miss Iago Borduchi and Luciano Juba for full-back position, plus goalkeeper Léo Vieira and forward Ruan Pablo. Borduchi bin get muscle problem for im thigh di day before match, so di medical team veto am. João Paulo, di other goalkeeper, no even make di list – e don finish for di club.
João Paulo bin come from Santos on loan for August 2025, with option to buy. But after eight matches, Bahia decide no to exercise di clause. Im time for di club no sweet – e bin get injury when e suppose dey fight for starting spot, and later Ronaldo bin take over and perform well. For dis season, João Paulo only play 90 minutes for Brasileirão and concede seven goals. Dat performance make di club no want keep am.
For di match against Botafogo, Bahia get some good news: goalkeeper Ronaldo bin return after more dan two months out due to elbow dislocation wey e suffer for March. Also, Nestor and Erick bin come back from suspension. Di full list of players include Iuri, Victor, and Ronaldo for goalkeepers; Roman Gomez, Zé Guilherme, and Gilberto for defenders; Gabriel Xavier, David Duarte, Kanu, Marcos Victor, and Ramos Mingo for central defense; Caio Alexandre, David Martins, Nestor, Erick, Everton Ribeiro, Jean Lucas, and Michel Araújo for midfield; and Everaldo, Sanabria, Willian José, Ademir, Erick Pulga, Caio Suassuna, and Kike Olivera for attack.
After dis match, Bahia go rest until end of July, when dem go face Atlético-MG away, for di last game of di first round of Brasileirão.
