Prosperity Cup 2024: Nembe City FC Battle Ogboinbiri FC in Tournament Final
Nembe City FC will battle Ogboinbiri FC on Saturday in the final of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup after weeks of electrifying football in twenty two centers across the state.
The Nembe side beat neighbors Kongho FC of Brass LGA 1-0 in the eastern derby at the Samson Siasia Stadium to set up the clash with the Southern Ijaw outfit, Ogboinbiri FC for the ultimate prize money.
Obiene Israel’s 39th minute goal was all that Nembe City FC needed to qualify for the final of the tournament christened the Prosperity Cup. Nembe City became the second Nembe side to play in the final of the tournament after Opu Nembe in 2018.
Kongho FC will now shift their attention to the third place game on Friday against Bayelsa United Feeders FC who were edged out 1-0 by Ogboinbiri FC in the semi finals.
Niger Delta University Queens in the semi finals defeated Afini Ladies 4-3 on the lottery of penalties after a barren draw in regulation time as they faced Peremo Soccer Academy in the women’s final on Saturday.
NDU Queens will now face Peremo Soccer Academy in the final of the women’s tournament on Saturday by 1pm while the final men’s competition will kick off at 3pm at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
The Para Soccer exhibition game will take place on Friday by 10am while both male and female third place matches comes up at 2pm and 3pm at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Victorious Nembe City FC coach, Albert Barigha in a post match interview said their target is to lift the trophy for the first time for Nembe City, noting that the tournament has brought out the best of him as a coach.
Despite the defeat, Kongho FC coach, Messiah Ben believes that their target for the tournament has been achieved, stating that he is leaving the Akassa side after fifteen years as head coach.
According to him, Kongho FC is the first team from Akassa in Brass Local Government Area to reach the semi finals of the Prosperity Cup describing the feat achieved by Kongho FC as laudable.
He thanked the Bayelsa State government and the organizers of the tournament for giving coaches in the state the platform to equip themselves with new knowledge, pointing out that the coaching clinic has impacted positively in their managerial career.
Nembe City FC striker, Peter Onyanbo appreciated the governor for giving the youths in the state the platform to realize their potential.
