Alambo Datonye Fred
The Boys have indeed been separated from the men as there are only four teams standing out of the record 214 sides that registered in the 2023 Bayelsa Governor’s Cup.
This weekend, it’s semi finals time in the competition christened “Prosperity Cup” as the tournament enters the home stretch.
The Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa is expected to buzz again on Saturday and Sunday with football fireworks as the last 4 teams battle to grab the N5 million Prize for the Champions in the competition which has a total Prize sum of N11 Million.
On Saturday, the first semi final will take place from 3pm with De Grace FC of Yenagoa locking horns with Dream Boys Academy FC of Odi, who are from Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area.
The next day being Sunday, also from 3pm, Agbere FC of Sagbama tango with Crusaders Feeders FC of Peretoru, Ekeremor LGA.
To reach the last four stage of the tournament, the surviving four teams faced stiff challenge from four others who were knocked out as that phase proved too tough with small margins of victories compared to previous rounds when the floodgates of goals opened generously.
In the games, Agbere FC of Sagbama pipped Ayisco FC of Ogboinbiri, Southern Ijaw LGA 5-4 on the lottery of penalties after both sides battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The story was no different when Dream Boys Academy of Odi edged past Dreams Academy School of Yenagoa in a pulsating 7-6 penalty shootouts with the two teams settling for a barren draw in full time.
De Grace FC of Yenagoa also managed a 2-1 triumph over last year’s finalists, Odioma FC of Brass in a game played in a downpour and characterized by disruptive behavior from supporters of the Oceania side that eventually led to their disqualification.
Similarly, Ekeremor outfit, Crusaders FC of Peretorugbene did not mind the heavy rain when they got the better of Bayelsa United Feeders of Yenagoa 2-1 in the last quarter final encounter on Monday.
Meantime, some key actors and spectators have given plaudits to the organisers and officials of the Prosperity Cup for maintaining a high level of discipline and insisting that the rules of the competition be maintained.
In an interview with our Correspondent at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, they hailed the Central Organizing, Disciplinary, Appeals, Technical and other Committees for upholding high professional standards in the handling of issues that have threatened the smooth organization of the tournament.
They commended the organizers for disqualifying Shegbelite FC of Yenagoa who had fielded an ineligible player in their Round of 16 clash with Bayelsa United Feeders in Biabi Inspector, a player who had featured for Divine Warriors FC in the second tier Nigeria National League, NNL in 2012/2013.
Rather than accept the decisions of the Disciplinary and Appeals Committee, Shegbelite resorted to arm twisting tactics, blackmails, threats and forgery to force their way through, but the organisers deployed investigative methods and maintained their disqualification.
In the same vein, Odioma FC of Brass had thrown caution to the wind in their Quarter Final game with De Grace FC of Yenagoa, vehemently protesting the second goal against them, insisting that there was an infringement against their goalkeeper in the build up to a corner kick awarded to their opponents.
Rather than explore peaceful means of protesting some of their fans resorted to chasing the referee off the field who had to be protected in the State box. They further punched other officials and threatened some of the technical officials, leaving the Central Organizing Committee with no choice than disqualifying them in line with the rules of the competition.
Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Ono Akpe has maintained that the organisers will continue to uphold the integrity of the tournament by ensuring strict adherence and enforcement of the rules without fear or favour.
