June 16, (THEWILL) – Agbere FC’s pursuit of the 2024 Prosperity Cup title gathered momentum after a 3-2 penalty win over Bayelsa United Feeders on Saturday.
It was a keenly contested tie between two sides that needed to prove a point following previous seasons’ disappointments, especially for Agbere FC, which has successively clinched third place in the last two editions of the tournament.
On the other hand, Bayelsa United Feeders, an offspring of the state-owned male team (Bayelsa United), were expected to show that the reason for its creation is yielding results.
But the first half ended without goals from both sides with Bayelsa United Feeders hitting the woodwork with what would have been in contention for the goal of the tournament.
The second half continued with both teams grappling to cease the game’s tempo, with Bayelsa United Feeders dominating ball possession, unable to make it count.
Substitute Bethel Lucky was unlucky not to put Bayelsa United Feeders in front in the 67th minute after a glorious header but was unable to get it on target.
Agbere FC, for the first time in the second half, tested the Bayelsa United Feeders goalkeeper in the 79th minute, and he gallantly pulled a great save to keep his side level.
Finally, the referee ended the game 0-0 with both sides not being able to break the deadlock to send the tie into an interesting penalty shootout which saw both goalkeepers making good saves that raised tensions in the capacity-filled stadium on the possible outcome. Agbere FC’s goalkeeper made a third and crucial save in Bayelsa Feeders’ last kick while Agbere FC converted their final kick to give his side victory to the wild celebration of the excited crowd.
In her remarks, the Chairman Sagbama Local Government Area, Honourable Alice Tangi lauded the sporting drive of the Governor Douye Diri-led Prosperity Government describing it as a noble cause to identify with as it has positively engaged the youths of Bayelsa. She thanked the tournament DG, Mr Ono Akpe, and his team for putting together a great tournament and bringing the finals to the local government headquarters.
The high point of the night was the presentation of awards and prize money with the winners going home with one hundred thousand naira (N100,000) while the runner-up took home fifty thousand naira (N50,000) from the COC of the Prosperity Cup. The icing on the cake came with the Council Chairman’s donation of half a million naira (N500,000), which sent the Agbere team into a frenzy of jubilation beyond measure. She stated that she decided to donate this amount in support of the governor’s youth and sports development initiatives, which has placed Bayelsa on the global map. The Chairman was also presented with an award by the organisers for her support of grassroots sports development.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports Development Bayelsa State, Hon Daniel Baralate Igali, represented by the Ministry’s Assistant Director Human Resource Management, Michael Ede-Alakeri conveyed his goodwill, appreciating the impact the Prosperity Cup has made in Nigeria and beyond. He urged other Local Government Chairmen to throw their weight behind the worthy initiative of the Prosperity Government, which has gainfully engaged the youths of Bayelsa and helped bring down the crime rate across the state.
On his part, the Director-General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, lauded the wonderful hospitality shown by the Sagbama Council Chairman, Hon Alice Allen Tangi, describing it as heartwarming. He commended the Chairman for the organisation of the final and her overwhelming support of the tournament, saying it’s the best they have seen so far.
He added that the spectacle witnessed at the LGA level is a taste of what is to come at the state level.
“Bringing football to the grassroots and taking the grassroots to Europe is the core objective of the Prosperity Cup”, said Perela Aboro, Tournament Director in his remarks, promising that the scouting program coming up will be hugely successful.
The LGA Finals continue in Brass LGA with Water Strikers, playing host to Kongho FC in Twon-Brass on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
