2024 Gov Diri Pre Season Tournament Final: Bayelsa Utd in final clash with Bendel Insurance

Posted : 18 August 2024

Bayelsa United will face Bendel Insurance in the final of the Gov. Douye Diri Pre-Season Tournament on Sunday at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

To qualify for the final, Bayelsa United beat Akwa United 1-0. Raphael Onwrabe's 37th-minute header from Saro Loveday's beautiful cross was all the Prosperity Boys needed to secure their second win in the group.

The Prosperity Boys qualified for the final from Group "A" with six points after three games, losing one and winning two. Akwa United came second with four points, the same as Sunshine Stars of Akure.

Akwa United and Kwara United will compete in the third-place match of the tournament, having finished second in their respective groups. Kwara United amassed five points in Group B, while the Promise Keepers got four points in Group A with one win, a draw, and a loss.

Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors shared the spoils in the second match of Group "A". Kwara United held Bendel Insurance to a goalless draw in Group B at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

Non-league side Krusaders FC of Yenagoa produced the shock of the tournament, beating former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Rivers United 1-0 in the last game of the day.

David Weke's 71st-minute goal from a penalty gave Krusaders FC the deserved 1-0 victory over Rivers United. Krusaders bowed out of the tournament with their heads held high after stunning Rivers United.

Some of the coaches, in separate post-match interviews, praised the Bayelsa State government and the organizers of the tournament for the initiative.

Bayelsa United coach Ladan Bosso said his team were the biggest beneficiaries of the tournament, as the competition helped him identify his team's areas of strength and weakness.

With the new NPFL season around the corner, Bosso believes that the team is ready to compete for the league. He appreciated the government for sponsoring the tournament and described it as a worthwhile exposure for the Prosperity Boys.

Bendel Insurance coach Monday Odigie attributed his team's draw with Kwara United to their inability to capitalize on their chances, pointing out that the team is trying to improve with each game.

Rivers United coach Finidi George commended Krusaders FC for their determination, noting that the Pride of Rivers State underestimated their opponents and that lessons have been learned from the defeat.

According to him, the tournament has exposed the players who are ready to play for the team, and he stressed that every mistake would be corrected before the commencement of the league.

A fulfilled Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee, Ono Akpe, in an interview, asserted that the purpose of the tournament was to prepare the premier league teams for the new season, expressing his satisfaction with the quality of football witnessed so far.

Akpe noted that he was impressed to see a less-fancied Krusaders FC produce the shock of the tournament, describing it as a David and Goliath story from the Bible.

He explained that the purpose of the tournament was beyond winning but preparing Bayelsa United for the new season.

2024 Gov Diri Pre Season Tournament Final: Bayelsa Utd in final clash with Bendel Insurance

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