July 08, (THEWILL) – Defending champions Krusaders Feeders FC, Afini FC, Anyama FC, Petroleum Boys FC, Rose of Sharon FC, Ogboinbiri FC, Nembe City FC and Kongho FC have qualified for the round of 16 of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, aka Prosperity Cup.
Krusaders Feeders whitewashed Creek FC 6-1 in a game decided at the Ebedebiri Centre. A brace from Surveyor Handsome in the 9th and 29th minutes and another brace from Tony Akpara in the 15th and 51st minutes as well as a goal each from Moses Anthony and Lawyer Bobraye gave the Peretrogbene-based side the deserved victory.
Petroleum Boys FC, in the second game at the Ebedebiri Centre, pummeled Odi United 5-0 to progress to the round of 16 of the tournament. Solohit Akpokabowei, Jeremiah Ebiye and Moses Aseyeibo were on the scoresheet for the Ekeremor side.
Kongho FC, at the Nembe City Stadium, beat Ambassador FC 2-1 to book qualification for the last 16. Prince Nackson’s first-half brace in the 19th and 28th minutes was all Kongho FC needed to progress to the round of sixteen, despite Amassomor Joseph’s consolation goal.
Rose of Sharon FC caused the biggest upset in the round of 32 to shock Yenagoa LGA champions, Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) FC 10-9 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time at the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS) Centre.
Earlier, at the BDGS Centre, Anyama FC spanked Divine Grace FC 4-2 to secure a smooth passage into the next round. Brandy Ataria put Anyama FC ahead but Divine Grace FC replied a few minutes later from Owaer Singesi’s finish. Ogbolo Dogood had put Divine Grace in front in the 38th minute to silence Anyama fans.
Godgift Agala and Vincent Azibapu, in the second half, responded in an exhilarating fashion with Godgift Agala netting a brace for Anyama FC to confirm their supremacy despite being behind in the first half of the game.
Elsewhere at the Amassoma Centre, Southern Ijaw champions, Ogboinbiri FC, zoomed into the round of 16 with a 4-2 victory on penalties over Gbarain Selected Stars after a one-all draw in regulation time.
Afini FC, at the Otuasega Township Stadium, beat Fisherman Son’s FC 1-0 in a cagey game. Binalayefa Godswill’s own goal in the 12th minute defined the tie for both sides.
Nembe City FC, at the Otuasega Township Stadium, humbled New Evangel FC 3-1 to qualify for the round of 16 of the football tournament.
Meanwhile, the female version of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament has commenced in different Centres across the state.
Peremo Soccer Academy battered helpless and hapless God’s Promise Queens FC 17-0 at the Kaiama Centre. Blessing Anderson’s double hat-trick in the 2nd, 6th, 21st, 54th, 67th and 86th minutes as well as Gita Angela’s glut was the highlight of the fixture.
In the other fixture, Niger Delta Queens of Odi humiliated Otuokpoti Queens 10-0 to progress to the next round of the competition while Stardom Life Academy beat Boro Queens 1-0 to secure qualification at the Obunagha Centre.
Other round of 32 games and the women’s fixtures will continue on Monday, in the tournament at the designated Centres across the state.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
