Preliminary round matches in season seven of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup got off to a flying start in Brass and Nembe local government areas over the weekend.
Playing at the Nembe City Stadium on Sunday, Nembe FC outclassed Fantuo FC by 2 goals to-nil to qualify for the next round of the competition. Goals from Jackson Idubamo and Clement Bruno in each half were all the Nembe side needed to oust Fantuo FC.
Earlier at the same venue, Okoroba FC triumphed over Etie FC 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Samuel David put Etie FC ahead on 57 minutes from a long-range effort but Okoroba FC restored parity on 88 minutes from Benjamin Okatubo’s well-taken spot-kick.
On Saturday at the Sangana Centre in Brass Local Government Area, Sangana FC humbled Blue Sea Strikers 2-0 with the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere taking the ceremonial kick-off.
Substitute, George Super netted the first brace of season seven scoring in 66 and 77 minutes, ensuring that his Sangana FC side advanced to the next round of the competition. In the second game of the same centre Kamatoru FC defeated Ogidi United also by two unreplied goals.
Fielding questions from newsmen after the encounter Ekwere Itoro, coach of Okoroba FC, attributed the victory to his lads’ determination and commitment, stating that their target was to win the game in regulation time.
One of the goal scorers for Nembe City FC, Clement Bruno, boasted that their target is to lift the trophy and take the prize money home at the end of the tournament.
Action shifts to Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Areas this coming weekend
It will be recalled that Governor Douye Diri performed the symbolic kick-off of the tournament last month at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa to herald the official commencement of this year’s showpiece, which features 231 teams.
