…Organizers Thumbs Up Gov Diri for Tournament Support
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Bendel insurance of Benin have emerged champions of the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital after days of beautiful football amongst participating teams in the tournament.
Bendel Insurance reached the final of Governor Diri Pre-season tournament last year but lost to host, Bayelsa United 4-3 on penalty shootout after a one-all draw in regulation time at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Former Bayelsa United left-back, Adamu Yazid’s lone goal on 5 minute gave Bendel Insurance a slim one nil victory over determined Warri Wolves, having defeated Bayelsa United to advance to the final of the tournament.
Both Bendel Insurance and Warri Wolves will now shift their attention to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL which commences next weekend.
Victorious Bendel Insurance Head Coach, Greg Ikhenoba in a post-match reaction, noted that the competition has shown that the players are ready for the new season, stressing that the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament has also given opportunity to the new players in the squad to showcase themselves.
Warri Wolves Head Coach, Napoleon Alumua in his post-match interview, said his team is fully prepared for the new NPFL season, maintaining that he is happy with the significant progress of his team, describing the competition as timely.
Also, former member of the CAF Medical Committee, Dr. Peter Singabele remarked that there is no victor, no vanquished, that the tournament has helped all the participating teams to have good preparation for the new NPFL season.
While congratulating the champions, Bendel Insurance, he opined that Bayelsa State is not desperate to win the tournament despite being the host. He equally appreciated the Bayelsa Government for hosting the tournament.
Coordinator of the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament, Mr Diseye Nwankwe, revealed that the essence of the competition was to prepare Bayelsa United for the new season in order for the team to have a productive 2025/2026 NPFL season.
He commended the various participating teams for the show of professionalism throughout the tournament, maintaining that the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament has come to stay, that the competition would get bigger every year.
According to him, teams in the NPFL have already contacted the organizers of the tournament to take part in next year’s edition due to the visibility of the tournament.
Mr. Nwankwe commended the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali for ensuring that Bayelsa continues to be a hub of sport in the nation.
