Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Kongho community from Brass Ijaw Local Government Area, on Saturday, booked a place in the semifinal of the sixth edition of the Governor Douye Diri Football Tournament otherwise known as the Prosperity Cup.
Kongho FC humbled Solid Star FC of Ogu 3-0 to progress to the last four in the tournament. Perfect Akimi drew the first blood for the Kongho FC on 57 minute from a range effort after a barren draw at halftime.
Prince Nackson on 77 minute doubled the lead for the Brass outfit through a left footed shot outside of the eight yard box. When it seemed Ogu side was going to respond, Ayibanua John on 84 minute added another to silence Solid Star FC fans.
Southern Ijaw champions, Ogboinbiri FC came from a goal down to beat Wodu FC 3-1 in a pulsating encounter. Bearman Paul put Wodu FC ahead ten minutes into the game from a goalkeeper’s blunder. The Ogboinbiri side restored parity on 48 minute from Paul Bekewei’s close range header having failed to convert their chances in the first half.
Daniel Godgift on 63 minute doubled the lead for coach Ayibakenimi Alpheaus’ tutored side. Dominic Claudius added another just before the final whistle to compound Wodu FC woes.
Earlier, Bayelsa United Feeders FC pummeled Southern Ijaw side, Adulama FC 3-0 to qualify for the semi finals of the tournament. Substitute Nathaniel Ojibare came from the bench to net his first hat trick of the competition tagged the “Prosperity Cup”
The Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa is expected to buzz again on Monday and Tuesday with football fireworks in both male and female tournaments as the last four teams battle to grab the five million naira (#5,000,000.00) prize for the champions in the competition which has a total prize sum of fifteen million naira (#15,000,000.00) including the Para Soccer tournament.
Semi finals pairing will witness an eastern battle between Nembe City FC and Kongho FC of Brass at the Samson Siasia Stadium while at 3pm in the same venue will see Bayelsa United Feeders tango with Ogboinbiri FC as the tournament enters the home stretch.
Ogboinbiri coach, Ayibakenimi Alpheaus in a post match interview commended his lads for the show of determination, stating that their target is to win this year’s edition of the tournament.
Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe said this year’s tournament has been the best the competition has witnessed with the inclusion of the local government finals, coaching clinic and the refresher courses for the referees, pointing out he was impressed with the quality of football displayed so far.
According to him, five other players have been selected by the international scouts, stressing that the tournament was aimed at giving Bayelsa youths positive living through sports in order to curb crime, criminality and social vices in the state.
He explained that seventeen of the players that were selected during the international scouting exercise will be going to Lagos State in two weeks time for a program to determine the best that would be traveling abroad.
Also, Bayelsa based German and Youth developer, Mr. Dawari Empere said they will collaborate with the organizers of the “Prosperity Cup” for the youths in the state to be involved in a football scouting and mentorship program for youths in Accra Ghana by the end of this year.
