Bayelsa Football Academy opened their season seven account of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Igbogene FC.
It was barely a minute into the tension soaked encounter before Geoffrey put Igbogene FC in front and also recording the tournament’s fastest goal. Blessing Igoni responded almost immediately as he skillfully meandered his way past the Igbogene FC defence to level terms at the Ogboloma centre.
Igbogene FC made it two-one on 10 minutes through Ezekiel Henry’s finish. Doubara Newman restored parity for Bayelsa FA from a spot kick on 31 minutes to end proceedings at two-all at half time. Ayibaye Timothy added another on 75 minutes to make it three goals to two to send Bayelsa FA into the next round of the competition.
In the second game decided at the Ogboloma centre, Church of God Mission FC pipped Kingdom Stars FC by two goals to one to qualify for the next phase of the tournament.
At the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS centre, Bayelsa United Feeders progressed 5-4 on penalties at the expense of United Stars, having shared the spoils in regulation time, while Stardom Life FC thrashed Crystal FC three nil to secure a smooth passage.
At the Kpansia centre, Chosen FC beat Arizona FC by a lone goal while Creek Haven Allstars edged out Join Glory FC by four goals to two in the second game of the centre.
Playing at the Tombia Centre, Eleven Planet FC triumphed over Bayelsa Medical University, BMU FC by 3 goals to two, while Advance Dreams FA overpowered Bayelsa State College of Nursing Sciences, BYSCONS FC four nil.
At the Biogbolo/Yenizue-gene centre, Mountain of Fire Miracle Ministry, MFM FC beat hard-fighting Sterling Bank FC one nil. Silina FC in the second game eased out Glitch FC two nil to keep their hopes of winning the competition for the first time, intact.
Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, PNA FC spanked Teammate FC two nil at the Amassoma Centre, with Pere Lector netting a brace for PNA FC on 8 and 23 minutes. Also at the same venue, Eric FC defeated team NDU FC by two goals to one to advance to the next stage of the showpiece.
In Ogboloma, Biseni FC overpowered Goshen FC 8-7 on penalities after a one-all draw in regulation time while the second game between Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC and Wings FC was called off on 20 minutes due to a heavy downpour, with the former champions, EGM FC leading one nil
At the Ayamasa centre in Ekeremor Local Government Area, 2024 champions, Krusaders FC of Peretoru-gbene survived Tara-Lion scare with a 4-3 penalty shootout win after a barren draw in regulation time.
In Imiringi, Federal University, Otuoke FC eased out George Turnah FC two nil to confirm their supremacy. Ayalla FC, Okiki beat the Dove FC 4-3 on penalty kicks, having played a one-all draw in regulation time at the Otuokpoti centre.
The encounter between Otuogori FC and Austonee ultimate FC was halted on 26 minutes due to heavy downpour with Otuogori FC leading the tie one nil.
Ogbara United pipped Slaughter FC by a lone goal, Corinthians FC completely annihilated Premium Standard FC five nil to secure qualification from the Opolo venue of the competition.
In matches at the BDGS playground, Seasiders FC beat Ikolo FC one nil to advance into the next round, with Better Days FC beating National Youth Service Corp, NYSC FC 4-1 on penalities after sharing the spoils in regulation time.
Playing at the Swali centre, Kolumbia FC defeated Divine FC 3-2 on penalities after a barren draw in normal time, while Peace FC thrashed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN FC three nil in the second match at the same venue.
Action continues on Monday in Yenagoa, Southern Ijaw and Ogbia Local Government Areas in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle tagged the Prosperity Cup.
