August 19, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa United have emerged champions of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Football Tournament. The Prosperity Boys beat Bendel Insurance 7-6 on penalties to clinch the trophy and prize money.
The Yenagoa-based side defeated the Benin Arsenal on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation time on Sunday, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Loveday Saro gave Bayelsa United the lead in the 28th minute following a left-footed cross from Samuel Okon to send the fans into celebration, having missed a scoring opportunity to go ahead in the opening minutes.
Bendel Insurance responded immediately from Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi, who meandered his way inside the danger zone to find the back of the net for the Benin Arsenals.
Earlier in the third-place match, Akwa United beat Kwara United 4-2 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time.
Champions Bayelsa United smiled home with N1.5 million, runner-up Bendel Insurance got N1 million while Akwa United received N500,000 for finishing third.
Declaring the tournament closed, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, represented by his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said his administration would continue to promote the development of sports.
Ewhrudjakpo noted that the only way to engage the youths in the state was to invest in education and sports, stating that his administration is not worried about the energy channelled towards the sports sector.
While congratulating the participating teams for their show of professionalism throughout the tourney, he lauded Bayelsa United and coach Ladan Bosso for the brilliant outing in the tournament, pointing out that he is satisfied with the performance of the team.
According to him, the government would soon organise a pre-season tournament for the female Bayelsa Queens before the commencement of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) this year.
He announced that the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Football Tournament would become an annual competition that would prepare Bayelsa United ahead of every season, describing Bayelsa as the rallying point for sports in Nigeria.
The Deputy Governor also commended the organisers of the tournament for the smooth organisation, advising the teams to see the outcome as a no-victor, no-vanquished situation.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Central Organising Committee, Mr. Ono Akpe, said he is confident that Bayelsa United would have a fruitful season in the NPFL, noting that the essence of the tournament has been achieved.
He explained that apart from preparing Bayelsa United for the new season, the competition has also exposed more local players to some NPFL teams and disclosed that three players scouted from the 2024 Prosperity Cup would be travelling to Turkey and two to Finland in the coming days for their professional careers.
Akpe, who described Bayelsa as the home of grassroots football, appreciated Governor Diri and his Deputy for giving sports premium attention.
He equally thanked the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, and the Local Organising Committee for translating the vision of the Governor.
Also, Bayelsa United Coach Ladan Bosso said the tournament has helped him to know the readiness of his team as well as to know his preferred starting eleven.
He thanked the Bayelsa State Government and the organisers for the laudable initiative to organise the tournament.
Bendel Insurance Coach Monday Odigie, in his reaction, noted that the tournament has given him the opportunity to assess his team, adding that they will improve on their weaknesses going forward.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
