…As LGA Boss Splashes Cash Gifts on Teams
Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup, continued with the Yenagoa Local Government Area finals on Saturday, with Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC emerging champions.
Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC beat Bayelsa United Feeders by two goals to one in a fiercely contested match to lift the Yenagoa LGA trophy in an encounter decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Godknows Ikpe put the 2022 Prosperity Cup champions, EGM FC ahead on 33 minutes from a beautiful finish in the encounter watched by the Yenagoa local government council chairman, Hon. Bulodiseye Ndiwari, Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe and other members of the Central Organizing Committee.
Despite being a goal down, the young Prosperity Boys showed great determination on resumption and their efforts paid off on 55 minutes when Stanley Amon capitalized on EGM FC goalkeeper’s error to get a leveller.
Forward, Pedro Samuel made it 2-1 in the 78 minute to send EGM FC fans to rapturous celebration and ensuring that they smile home with one million naira (N1,000,000) prize money with Bayelsa United Feeders receiving the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000).
An elated chairman, the Mayor of Yenagoa City Council, Bulodiseye Ndiware in a remark, commended both teams for their exceptional performance throughout the encounter.
He equally appreciated the governor, Senator Douye Diri as well as the tournament organisers for efforts at ensuring that the tournament continues to get international attention.
According to him, the tournament has kept a good number of youths in the state off the streets and in the process, reduced the crime rate across the state.
Hon Ndiware, whose wife was also in attendance, said if any of the two teams makes it to the final, the Council will support the team with the sum of one million naira (N1,000,000).
He also made a pronouncement of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) to the winners, EGM and three hundred thousand naira (N300,000) to the runners-up Bayelsa United Feeders.
A visibly impressed Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe in an interview, asserted that he was pleased with the quality of football witnessed, stating that the competition has continued to witness improved quality of football in every stage, adding that fans should expect the best of grassroots football in the final.
The DG was quick to note that he was elated to watch one of tournament’s products, Benjamin Precious play in the U-20 Africa cup of Nations(AFCON) championship in Egypt, pointing out that the final rounds would have a number of Nigerian coaches in Yenagoa before the scouting programme.
He explained that there will be a team of scouts assigned to every match to spot young talented players within the age bracket of 15-20 years, adding that about a hundred players have been selected and would be called to camp for a proper scouting progamme.
Mr. Ono appreciated the various local government chairmen for their support, stressing that the LGA Finals have all lived up to the expectation of soccer enthusiasts across the eight local government areas.
Also, Bayelsa United Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso, remarked that few players from both sides would be called to the Bayelsa United team.
The victorious EGM FC coach, Michael Felix attributed his team’s victory to hard work and dedication, describing his opponents as a good team.
Also, Bayelsa United Feeders coach, Dimie Iniedide said the mistake would be corrected in the round of 32, saying that they were the better side.
EGM FC now joins Adaka FC, Crusaders FC, Citiboi FC, Nembe City, Agbere FC, and PNA FC, as champions of their respective local government area.
Attention now shifts to the round of 32 of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament.
