Sports
Prosperity Cup Female Tournament: Goals Galore, As Ezuogha …as Egba, Ndiomu-Brown, Give Governor Diri and Organizers Thumbs Up…
By David Owei, Yenagoa.
The women’s edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the “Prosperity Cup” has kicked off with God’s Mercy City FC and Ezuogha Academy sending clear messages of intent to the rest of the pack.
In one of yesterday’s opening matches at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Ezougha Academy were so clinical and ruthless in their 8-nil demolition of Diamond Stars of Ayama-Ijaw in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
The match commenced on an exciting note, but it was the Yenagoa based Ezuogha Academy that showcased their supremacy over their Southern Ijaw opponents.
Peculiar John found the back of the net four times, young and energetic midfielder, Princess Numulayefa bagged a hat-trick, while flying winger, Finine Doubrah’s solo effort completed the demolition exercise for Ezuogha Academy FC.
Earlier in the Female tournament’s curtain raiser at the same venue, God’s Mercy City FC humbled Federal University of Otuoke FC by three unreplied goals.
God’s Mercy City’s captain, Pere Richard was brought down in the box, following some skilful displays and centre referee, Rachael Onyekwere wasted no time in pointing to the spot.
Precious John stepped forward to send the goalkeeper of Federal University, Otuoke the wrong way to register her name in the scoresheet, while substitute Asumagha Judith buried the game just two minutes into the second half.
The tally would have increased if not for the heroics of goalkeeper Mitchell Edonkumoh, who put up some individual heroics to keep the scoreline low and respectable.
In a post match interview with sports writers, Coach of victorious Ezuogha Academy, Akren Beauty commended her girls for the determination throughout the encounter, noting that every game is important to them.
Despite the defeat, coach of Diamond Stars, Daniel Seimiesin said there are more positives take home in their defeat, pointing out that the competition has exposed the girls to better teams and playing turf, stating that the tournament would improve women’s football in the state.
According to him, their aim of participating in the competition was beyond winning trophy and the prize money but to consolidate on the dreams of the governor, Senator Douye Diri and the organizers of the tournament towards engaging the youths in the state positively.
In separate interviews, the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayibanengiyefa Egba and the member representing Sagbama Constituency 3, Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown gave thumbs up to the organizers of the showpiece.
Hon. Egba, who took the kick-off of the second match remarked that she was pleased with the inclusion of the women version in the tournament, pointing out that she is confident that national team players would emerge from the tournament.
Also, Hon. Ndiomu who described Bayelsa as the home of female football in the country, noting that the governor’s passion for the development of sports has given youths in the state an alternative means to flourish.
Action continues on Friday at the Kpansia centre as Igbogene Starlight welcome Akeddei Queens by 3.00p.m. while the second match of the day will see Police Machine FC go up against Jerry Queens at 4.30p.m.
Sports
Gov Diri Expresses Confidence On Bayelsa United Interim Board. …Say Bayelsa Is Ready to Host 2028 National Sports Festival
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri says he is confident that the newly-constituted interim board of Bayelsa United will deliver on its assignment.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, last week Thursday during the weekly Prosperity Walk, announced an interim board comprising experienced sports administrators and headed by Dr. Peter Singabele, to oversee the affairs of the club for the next six months.
Governor Diri gave the assurance at the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
He noted that with the calibre of personalities on the board, he was confident that the board would deliver on the assignment, pointing out that the board is filled with experienced personalities with proven track records.
According to the state helmsman, he was impressed with the board’s vigour to immediately embark on the appointment of a new technical adviser for the team, urging them not to rest on their oars until they achieved their objectives.
He asserted that the government would not interfere with the selection of players that the selection of players would be decided by the coaches and not by the board so that the coaches can be held culpable when they fall short of the set target.
”I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Bayelsa United Interim Board that we have put together headed by Dr Peter Singabele, I am aware that they have hit the ground running with the process of appointing a new coach for the team. I want to charge them to run with speed to ensure that new coaches are recruited with players sorted out” Gov Diri stated.
”Players must be sorted out by the coaches, no interference by the board, no interference by the government, no one should interfere with the coaches, let the coaches bring out the best of players so that if anything goes wrong we will hold them responsible”, he maintained.
The governor hinted that his administration remains committed to hosting the National Sports Festival in Bayelsa in 2028, maintaining that his administration is poised to complete the ongoing construction work of the 30,000-seater stadium in Igbogene, 5,000-seater stadium in Sampou in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area and other facilities in the State.
He assured Bayelsans that the stadium would be completed at the stipulated time to host the National Sports Festival, stressing that sports remain one of his administration’s goal to positively engage the youths.
Sports
Bayelsa State Government Sets Up Interim Board For Bayelsa United
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
Sports
Bayelsa State Government Sets Up Interim Board For Bayelsa United
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
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