Bayelsa Football Academy opened their season seven account of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Igbogene FC.

It was barely a minute into the tension soaked encounter before Geoffrey put Igbogene FC in front and also recording the tournament’s fastest goal. Blessing Igoni responded almost immediately as he skillfully meandered his way past the Igbogene FC defence to level terms at the Ogboloma centre.

Igbogene FC made it two-one on 10 minutes through Ezekiel Henry’s finish. Doubara Newman restored parity for Bayelsa FA from a spot kick on 31 minutes to end proceedings at two-all at half time. Ayibaye Timothy added another on 75 minutes to make it three goals to two to send Bayelsa FA into the next round of the competition.

In the second game decided at the Ogboloma centre, Church of God Mission FC pipped Kingdom Stars FC by two goals to one to qualify for the next phase of the tournament.

At the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS centre, Bayelsa United Feeders progressed 5-4 on penalties at the expense of United Stars, having shared the spoils in regulation time, while Stardom Life FC thrashed Crystal FC three nil to secure a smooth passage.

At the Kpansia centre, Chosen FC beat Arizona FC by a lone goal while Creek Haven Allstars edged out Join Glory FC by four goals to two in the second game of the centre.

Playing at the Tombia Centre, Eleven Planet FC triumphed over Bayelsa Medical University, BMU FC by 3 goals to two, while Advance Dreams FA overpowered Bayelsa State College of Nursing Sciences, BYSCONS FC four nil.

At the Biogbolo/Yenizue-gene centre, Mountain of Fire Miracle Ministry, MFM FC beat hard-fighting Sterling Bank FC one nil. Silina FC in the second game eased out Glitch FC two nil to keep their hopes of winning the competition for the first time, intact.

Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, PNA FC spanked Teammate FC two nil at the Amassoma Centre, with Pere Lector netting a brace for PNA FC on 8 and 23 minutes. Also at the same venue, Eric FC defeated team NDU FC by two goals to one to advance to the next stage of the showpiece.

In Ogboloma, Biseni FC overpowered Goshen FC 8-7 on penalities after a one-all draw in regulation time while the second game between Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC and Wings FC was called off on 20 minutes due to a heavy downpour, with the former champions, EGM FC leading one nil

At the Ayamasa centre in Ekeremor Local Government Area, 2024 champions, Krusaders FC of Peretoru-gbene survived Tara-Lion scare with a 4-3 penalty shootout win after a barren draw in regulation time.

In Imiringi, Federal University, Otuoke FC eased out George Turnah FC two nil to confirm their supremacy. Ayalla FC, Okiki beat the Dove FC 4-3 on penalty kicks, having played a one-all draw in regulation time at the Otuokpoti centre.

The encounter between Otuogori FC and Austonee ultimate FC was halted on 26 minutes due to heavy downpour with Otuogori FC leading the tie one nil.

Ogbara United pipped Slaughter FC by a lone goal, Corinthians FC completely annihilated Premium Standard FC five nil to secure qualification from the Opolo venue of the competition.

In matches at the BDGS playground, Seasiders FC beat Ikolo FC one nil to advance into the next round, with Better Days FC beating National Youth Service Corp, NYSC FC 4-1 on penalities after sharing the spoils in regulation time.

Playing at the Swali centre, Kolumbia FC defeated Divine FC 3-2 on penalities after a barren draw in normal time, while Peace FC thrashed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN FC three nil in the second match at the same venue.

Action continues on Monday in Yenagoa, Southern Ijaw and Ogbia Local Government Areas in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle tagged the Prosperity Cup.

Season seven of Nigeria’s most glamorous grassroots soccer showpiece, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup continue to hit the headlines with mouth watering matches at different venues across Bayelsa State.

Playing at the Biogbolo/Yenizue-gene Centre in Yenagoa, Sterling Bank FC recorded a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Santon FC, after a nil -nil score line in regulation time.

The second game at the same venue was also decided from the penalty spot, with FC Silina emerging FC 4-3 winners over Victory FC, after a two-all draw in normal time.

In Tombia, Eleven Planet FC edged out Golden Sun Sports FC by three goals to two to qualify for the next round of the tournament while Advance Dreams FA completely annihilated God’s Promise FC to announce their intention to go very far with an Eleven goals to one demolition of their opponents.

Earlier at the Tombia Centre, Bayelsa State College of Nursing Sciences (BYSCONS) FC humbled Alpha FC while Wodu FC crushed Rangers Football ACA by eleven goals to one.

Still from the Tombia venue of the tournament, Corinthians FC thrashed Starlight FC by five goals to one to qualify for the next stage, while Church of God Mission whitewashed Salvation Ministry, Obunagha four nil to secure a smooth passage to the next round.

At the Opolo centre, Ogbara United over-powered Ghen Football Club of Swali one nil to advance to the next round of the competition, with Jacob Maxwell scoring the only goal for Ogbara United in the 80th minute.

At the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS centre, Seaside ACM FC humbled Ayakipiama FC four nil. Oghenero Eferebo put Seaside ACM FC in front just two minutes into the game, Potokiei Gabriel added another to make it two nil on 14 minutes before Bright Johnson and Samuel Friday’s goals completed the demolition.

And, in Swali, Kolumbia FC beat Asene FC of Ayama Ijaw 4-2 on penalties, having played out a barren draw in regulation time while Peace FC dismissed Northern Warriors FC by a three to nothing victory to progress to the next stage.

Creek Heaven Allstars beat Osaro International Football Academy 5-4 on penalties after goalless draw in regulation time to qualify, while Northern D Strikers FC took Selected FC to the cleaners with a five-nil drubbing.

Playing at Otuasega centre, Federal University, Otuoke defeated Redeemed Chapel two nil to seal their place in the next round of the competition while in the second match, George Turnah FC spanked Otuoke FC two-nil to continue their impressive run so far, in the tournament.

At Imiringi, it was Emeyal Two United FA pipping Milcon FC of Kolo 2 by two goals to one. Godgift Ibadan put the Kolo 2 side ahead on 8 minutes but Emeyal Two United FA rallied back in the second half with goals from Bomowei Demmotei and Emmanuel Akim in the 52nd and 57th minutes to carry the day.

Chief Street FC of Otuokpoti pipped Rising Stars FC by a lone goal to move into the next round of the competition while Jamaica FC’s participation in the tournament was brought to an end by Jagas FC as they were humbled three-one at the Otuabagi centre.

Also playing at the Otuabagi Centre, Citiboi FC established their dominance with an emphatic three – nil walloping of Abureni Edema FC.

In the games decided on Thursday at the Opolo centre, Pioneers FC whitewashed Stardom Life Foundation by six nil while Flying Vasco FC triumphed 5-4 on penalties shootout against Sansiro FC after a one all draw in regulation time.

In Ogboloma, Goshen FC beat Gbarain Youth FC by lone goal, Wings FC were two to one victors over TNC FC. NYSC FC edged out CYD by same margin while the encounter between Ezougha FC and Foundation of Life FC ended one all with Ezougha FC triumphing 4-3 in the resultant shootout.

At the Kpansia centre, Anyamalem beat Karion FC by three goals to one just as Arizona Celtic FC defeated NMA Bayelsa FC by three goals to one to advance.

Action will continue in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas on Friday in the Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, christened the Prosperity Cup.