Sports
FC Barcelona Confirm Participation in Prosperity Cup 2026
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Ahead of the 2026 edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, officials of Spanish football giants, FC Barcelona have confirmed their willingness to participate in the tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup.
The confirmation is contained in a letter addressed to the Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe and signed by the Technical Director of Barca Academy, Mr Bernat Villa Gorriz, who doubles as the Project Director of Project Africa.
Powered by the Organizers of the Prosperity Cup,Red Sapphire Ltd and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development, in conjunction with Whiz-Kid Ventures, Netherlands-based accredited agents of FC Barcelona, the coaches training programme will feature two FC Barcelona coaches who will be taking the Bayelsa grassroots football coaches through a series of sessions on modern coaching skills and techniques, with particular focus on the methodology and philosophy of the Spanish club.
The Barca Academy Technical Director equally said the club will take advantage of their visit to explore other areas of possible collaboration with the State.
The letter states in part, “We are writing to confirm our participation in the Coaching Clinic scheduled for 23-25, February 2026, in Bayelsa State, which is part of the activities of the Bayelsa State Governor’s Tournament (Prosperity Cup) 2026.
“The Training will comprise practical and theoretical sessions to be conducted by two (2) FC Barcelona coaches. It will focus on sharing the methodology and philosophy that the club has developed over the years.
“We would also use the opportunity of the visit for the clinic to hold series of meetings and explore other potential collaborations with Bayelsa State.
“We look forward to our trip to Bayelsa State.”
Discussions during the visit will also focus on preparing the groundwork for the establishment of the world-class FC Barcelona Academy in Bayelsa State.
Other areas of potential collaboration include the training of local referees, football administrators, talent identification and placement of discovered talents in schools, academics and clubs to further their development.
This confirmation of participation by officials of FC Barcelona is an eloquent testimony of the stature and reputation of the Prosperity Cup as the biggest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria.
Prosperity Cup Season 8 will officially kick-off on Thursday, February 19, 2026 while the various centre matches will commence on Sunday, March 1, 2026 with the Brass centre leading the way. The third place match is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026 while the grand finale will come up on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Champions in the male category of this special “Bayelsa @ 30” edition of the competition will receive the sum of N30 million while runners-up will go home with the sum of N10 million and in the female category, the winners will smile to the bank with the sum of N10 million while the runners-up will be five million Naira richer.
Sports
More Talents Spotted in Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Tourney … As Competition Enters Matchday Three
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The quest to return Bayelsa United to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL next season is gradually gaining momentum with twelve participating teams showcasing their talents in the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament.
The competition, targeted at discovering home-grown talents that would be integrated into the Bayelsa United team next season, has the 2026 Prosperity Cup finalists apart from champions, Okoroma United, whose players are currently undergoing trials in different teams outside the state.
Bayelsa Starlets Academy in the first match of matchday two showed class as they whitewashed AJ Inter Soccer Academy 4-1 with goals from Silas Benjamin, Udake Joel and a brace from Nathaniel Ojigbere.
Former champions, Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene were held to a barren draw by rugged and determined Brazil FC. Ereme Jackson humbled NDU Oilers FC by three goals to one while Bayelsa United Feeders in the last match of the day edged out Grassroots FC with two unreplied goals.
The tournament will enter match day three on Saturday, 25th July, 2026. Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC will take on Grassroots FC in the first match at 11.00am, Bayelsa Starlets will keep a date with Mountain of Fire Miracle Ministry, MFM FC at 12.30pm
Prosperity Cup finalist, Akinima Biogbo will battle Ereme Jackson of Port-Harcourt at 2.00pm while Federal University of Otuoke, FUO Kings FC will lock horns with Brazil FC in the last match of matchday three at 3.30pm at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Sports
Bayelsa United Chairman calls for synergy between Feeder,Senior Teams as Season begins
By David Owei
Chairman of the Interim Board of Bayelsa United Football Club, Dr. Peter Singabele has stressed the need for collaboration between the Feeder team and senior teams of Bayelsa United
Dr. Singabele made the call while addressing coaches and players of the Feeder team shortly after their training session at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Wednesday.
He noted that for the club to succeed in it’s aspirations of returning the team to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL that coaches from both Feeders and the senior team must work hand in gloves to achieve its objectives.
According to him, the Feeder team is the foundation of every club in the world and not a dumping ground for players but a veritable platform for nurturing talented players that are capable of gaining promotion to the senior team.
Dr Singabele asserted that the board was deliberate about the growth of the Feeder team and that they are desirous of seeing more players from Feeder graduate into the main team, noting that the Feeder team serves as a “breeding ground”.
He hinted that preparations are underway for them to have a fruitful season, maintaining that the registration process for the Nigeria Youth League has been completed successfully.
”The feeder team is not a dumping ground. You must be up to the task of playing for this club. We must not compromise the growth of Bayelsa United. Because If properly managed, the feeder team will be the future of the senior team,” he said.
He explained that the board would thoroughly scrutinize players before they are considered for promotion, insisting that only those who meet the required standards would be considered into the first team, urging players to be professionals in the discharge of their duties.
The chairman assured the players and coaches that the board remains committed to improving their welfare, stating that the board is poised to provide a conducive environment for them to perform at their optimum.
Dr Singabele who described the NNL as a more difficult league, urged the players to be determined in their quest to bring the team back to the top flight at the end of the season, saying that one of the objectives of the pre-season tournament is to discover talents that would feature in the team.
Also speaking, Bayelsa United Assistant Coach, Ngozi Elechi, charged the players in the Feeder team to make use of the opportunity before them, stressing that outstanding players would be promoted to the senior team.
Bayelsa United Feeders are currently preparing for the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament aimed at identifying and developing home grown talented players for possible integration into the senior team ahead of the upcoming football season.
Sports
Bayelsa United Resumes Training, Targets NPFL Return
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa United have resumed preparations for the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League, NNL with their first training session at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa
The session, which marked the start of pre-season activities for the club was supervised by the club’s technical crew, led by assistant coach Ngozi Elechi alongside Anderson West.

The Bayelsa united players
The players underwent light fitness drills and tactical routines as the coaching crew assessed their conditioning ahead of a more intensive build-up programme.
More players are expected to join the team in the coming days as preparations for the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Pre-season tournament in Yenagoa gathers momentum in line with the vision of the governor, Senator Douye Diri to return the team back to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL at the end of the 2026/27 season.
Before training commenced, a member of the board, Godson Ekarde charged the players to approach the new season with discipline, dedication and a strong winning mentality, describing the campaign as “a season of serious business” for the club.
Mr. Ekarde, said the management is committed to providing the support the team needs to compete strongly in the NNL and secure promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
He urged both players and the technical crew to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering an improved performance and more consistent results throughout the season.
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