…As Bayelsa Commissioner for Sports, Hon (Dr) Daniel Igali describes it as “Africa’s Largest Football Tournament”
By Hananeel Jackson
Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri is expected to lead members of the State Executive Council to kick-off of the much-awaited opening match of the Prosperity Cup Season 5 on Thursday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex by 10am after the weekly prosperity walk, following the draws conducted on Tuesday 30th May.
Defending Champions Eternal Grace Ministry EGM FC of Yenagoa are set to defend their title as they take on Faith Comprehensive School in their group match at the Opolo Center.
The defending champions will however trade tackles with Dream Boys of Odi in a ceremonial opening match on Thursday to whet the appetite of football lovers in anticipation of what is in store for the fans when teams lock horns across the state.
EGM FC last year defeated Odioma FC of Brass 2-1 to lift Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football showpiece after a brilliant comeback from a goal down.
In the draws conducted in Yenagoa on Tuesday, 214 teams were grouped into twenty four different centers across the various Local Government Areas in the State with 5350 players set to take part in the spectacle.
At the Old Assembly Quarters Center , Kpansia FC will face Shegbelit FC. Other matches include; Peremor Soccer Academy vs A.G Onopa FC; while Azikoro Youth Movement will have a date with the Nigerian Television Authority NTA, as two teams in Agbura, Agbura O.G FC and Agbura Young Stars will entertain fans in a local derby, while Dominion City of Azikoro will slug it out with Creek Haven Onopa.
Opolo Center will witness familiar fixtures when Yenagoa FC lock horns with Palm FC; Baptist Church FC of Ovom will square up against Ohaneze FC; Zola FC of Azikoro will battle House of Hope Schools FC; Rose of Sharon FC Opolo will take on God’s Glory Ministries FC, Onopa FC welcomes Better Days FC of Swali.
Agge Center in Ekeremor Local Government will see Famous Zion FC taking on last year’s quarter finalist Agbayama FC, Bakiri FC will tango with Iyapregha Zion FC, while Ekperia are drawn bye.
The Ogbia zone is expected to rekindle old rivalries and friendships among communities in the three centers when they meet each other. At the Imiringi Center, New Evangel FC will take on Oruma FC; Golden Stars face Newcastle FC of Kolo; even as Okpoti 2 FC welcomes Aghalo FC of Kolo. At the Ogbia Center, Otuasega Movers FC will be looking to continue their dominance over Emeyal when they face Emeyal 1 FC.
At the Otuokpoti Center Anyama FC will hope to continue their fairytale run as they face neighbors God’s Promise FC of Otuedu; Okodi FC will entertain Ologi FC; Otuedu Community will battle Onubum FC while Elebele FC are drawn bye.
Hope Alive FC of Otueke will keep their hopes alive by winning a match in the Prosperity Cup for the first time at the Kolo Center when they file out against Star Boys FC of Opume; Christ Salvation Church FC of Ogbia will slug it out with Emeyal 2 FC; Apret FC of Imiringi entertains Amangala FC of Olobiri while Jerry FC are on standby.
Okoloba FC at the Kaiama Center will battle Ekpuwari FC; Sampou Community face Sabagreia FC, Prosperity Cup tournament hopeful Dream Boys Football Academy are on standby, at the Opukuma center B.S.C.Y.C FC of Sampou will trade tackles with Bouturu FC of Igbedi.
At the Nembe Center the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) FC are drawn to be on standby, Kiri-Pogu Community FC will take on Nembe City FC, Igbeta-Iwoama FC will tackle Bayelsa State School of Health and Technology Otuogidi FC while Opu-Nembe FC are also on standby.
Odioma City at the Twon Brass Center will have Okpoma FC versus Agbalakoko FC trading tackles; Canan FC takes on Twon Brass United while last year’s finalist, Odioma City FC are on standby. Moses FC of Sangana Town at the Akassa Center welcomes Wagitia FC in their local derby; Williams of Sangana Town will face Amaogbo FC; Blessed Stars FC of Liama will come up against Fish Town FC.
Bayelsa United U15 who recently participated in the NPFL Laliga U15 in Ogun State will have a date with Salvation Favour Assembly at the Ogboloma Cente. In Sagbama LGA Agbere FC were drawn bye as Agoro FC will tango with Bolu-Orua FC.
Declaring the draws ceremony open, chairman of the occasion, Sir Dr Peter Singable, urged the participating teams to abide by the rules of the competition.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon (Dr) Daniel Igali in his remarks while thanking the governor for the genuine love shown in sports development lauded the Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for his thoroughness towards handling issues, describing the fiesta as Africa’s biggest grassroots football tournament.
In an address of welcome, Director General of the Prosperity Cup Mr Ono Akpe, promised an improved tournament that would produce more stars that would fly the Bayelsa flag outside the State.
He applauded Yenagoa Local Government Area for having the highest number of registered teams with a total of one hundred and thirteen teams.
The opening ceremony promises to be a spectacle as Governor Douye Diri will lead other top government functionaries including the Deputy Governor, National Assembly Members, The Speaker and other Assembly Members, the State Executive Council, Captains of Industry, Multinational Oil Companies, SWAN and sports lovers across the state to grace the show piece.
