Season seven of Nigeria’s most glamorous grassroots soccer showpiece, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup continue to hit the headlines with mouth watering matches at different venues across Bayelsa State.
Playing at the Biogbolo/Yenizue-gene Centre in Yenagoa, Sterling Bank FC recorded a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Santon FC, after a nil -nil score line in regulation time.
The second game at the same venue was also decided from the penalty spot, with FC Silina emerging FC 4-3 winners over Victory FC, after a two-all draw in normal time.
In Tombia, Eleven Planet FC edged out Golden Sun Sports FC by three goals to two to qualify for the next round of the tournament while Advance Dreams FA completely annihilated God’s Promise FC to announce their intention to go very far with an Eleven goals to one demolition of their opponents.
Earlier at the Tombia Centre, Bayelsa State College of Nursing Sciences (BYSCONS) FC humbled Alpha FC while Wodu FC crushed Rangers Football ACA by eleven goals to one.
Still from the Tombia venue of the tournament, Corinthians FC thrashed Starlight FC by five goals to one to qualify for the next stage, while Church of God Mission whitewashed Salvation Ministry, Obunagha four nil to secure a smooth passage to the next round.
At the Opolo centre, Ogbara United over-powered Ghen Football Club of Swali one nil to advance to the next round of the competition, with Jacob Maxwell scoring the only goal for Ogbara United in the 80th minute.
At the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS centre, Seaside ACM FC humbled Ayakipiama FC four nil. Oghenero Eferebo put Seaside ACM FC in front just two minutes into the game, Potokiei Gabriel added another to make it two nil on 14 minutes before Bright Johnson and Samuel Friday’s goals completed the demolition.
And, in Swali, Kolumbia FC beat Asene FC of Ayama Ijaw 4-2 on penalties, having played out a barren draw in regulation time while Peace FC dismissed Northern Warriors FC by a three to nothing victory to progress to the next stage.
Creek Heaven Allstars beat Osaro International Football Academy 5-4 on penalties after goalless draw in regulation time to qualify, while Northern D Strikers FC took Selected FC to the cleaners with a five-nil drubbing.
Playing at Otuasega centre, Federal University, Otuoke defeated Redeemed Chapel two nil to seal their place in the next round of the competition while in the second match, George Turnah FC spanked Otuoke FC two-nil to continue their impressive run so far, in the tournament.
At Imiringi, it was Emeyal Two United FA pipping Milcon FC of Kolo 2 by two goals to one. Godgift Ibadan put the Kolo 2 side ahead on 8 minutes but Emeyal Two United FA rallied back in the second half with goals from Bomowei Demmotei and Emmanuel Akim in the 52nd and 57th minutes to carry the day.
Chief Street FC of Otuokpoti pipped Rising Stars FC by a lone goal to move into the next round of the competition while Jamaica FC’s participation in the tournament was brought to an end by Jagas FC as they were humbled three-one at the Otuabagi centre.
Also playing at the Otuabagi Centre, Citiboi FC established their dominance with an emphatic three – nil walloping of Abureni Edema FC.
In the games decided on Thursday at the Opolo centre, Pioneers FC whitewashed Stardom Life Foundation by six nil while Flying Vasco FC triumphed 5-4 on penalties shootout against Sansiro FC after a one all draw in regulation time.
In Ogboloma, Goshen FC beat Gbarain Youth FC by lone goal, Wings FC were two to one victors over TNC FC. NYSC FC edged out CYD by same margin while the encounter between Ezougha FC and Foundation of Life FC ended one all with Ezougha FC triumphing 4-3 in the resultant shootout.
At the Kpansia centre, Anyamalem beat Karion FC by three goals to one just as Arizona Celtic FC defeated NMA Bayelsa FC by three goals to one to advance.
Action will continue in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas on Friday in the Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, christened the Prosperity Cup.