August 17, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa United will face Bendel Insurance in the final of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Tournament on Sunday, at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
To qualify for the final, Bayelsa United beat Akwa United 1-0 to progress. Raphael Onwrabe’s 37th-minute header from Saro Loveday’s beautiful cross was all the Prosperity Boys needed to record their second win in the group.
The Prosperity Boys qualified for the final from Group “A” with six points after three games, losing one and winning two. Akwa United came second with four points, the same as Sunshine Stars of Akure.
Akwa United and Kwara United will slug it out in the third-place match of the tournament, having finished second in their respective groups. Kwara United amassed five points in Group B, while the Promise Keepers got four points in Group A with one win, a draw, and a loss.
Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors in the second match in Group “A” shared the spoils. Kwara United held Bendel Insurance to a barren draw in Group B at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Non-league side, Krusaders FC of Yenagoa, produced the shocker of the tournament, beating former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Rivers United 1-0 in the last game of the day.
David Weke’s 71st-minute goal from a spot kick gave Krusaders FC the deserved 1-0 victory over Rivers United. Krusaders bowed out of the tournament with their heads held high, having stunned Rivers United.
Some of the coaches, in separate post-match interviews, gave thumbs up to the Bayelsa State government and the organisers of the tournament for the initiative.
Bayelsa United coach Ladan Bosso said his team are the biggest beneficiaries of the tournament, as the competition has helped him identify his team’s areas of strength and weakness.
With the new NPFL season around the corner, Bosso believes that the team is ready to compete for the league, appreciating the government for sponsoring the tournament and describing it as a worthwhile exposure for the Prosperity Boys.
On his part, Insurance coach Monday Odigie, attributed his team’s draw with Kwara United to their inability to take their chances, pointing out that the team is trying to blend in with each game.
In his comments, Rivers United coach Finidi George commended Krusaders FC for their doggedness, noting that the Pride of Rivers State underrated their opponents and that lessons have been learned from the defeat.
According to him, the tournament has exposed those players, who are ready to play for the team, stressing that every mistake will be corrected before the commencement of the league.
A fulfilled Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Mr Ono Akpe, in an interview, asserted that the essence of the tourney was to prepare the premier league teams for the new season, saying that he is pleased with the quality of football witnessed so far.
Mr Akpe noted that he was impressed to see a less fancied Krusaders FC producing the shocker of the tournament, describing it as the David and Goliath story in the Bible.
He explained that the purpose of the tournament was beyond winning but preparing Bayelsa United for the new season.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
