**Tournament Revelation Everton Academy Ikolo Face Tough Tie**
Governor Douye Diri few weeks ago took the kick-off that has heralded a two-week season of wonderful football skills in Nigeria's biggest grassroots football tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup. Since commencement of the showpiece the progress of the competition has continued to be the most discussed topic in the media within and outside the state.
Bayelsa United Feeders in the ceremonial kick-off beat defending champions Eternal Grace Ministry EGM FC 1-0. The fixture was witnessed by governor Douye Diri, his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and other top government functionaries.
After the preliminary matches in Nigeria's biggest grassroots football tournament the Bayelsa State Governor's Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup 32 teams have been separated from the 214 that registered for the championship.
According to a release by Nwankwe Diseye, Chairman of the Technical Committee, 182 matches have been played in 24 centres across the eight local government areas.
One hundred and eighty two (182) teams have been eliminated from the spectacle including the defending champions Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC while four hundred and ninety nine (499) goals have been scored so far in the tournament with Opolo and Okordia Centres producing the highest number of goals.
Last year the Prosperity Cup recorded 513 goals in 205 games as it witnessed three persons contending for the golden boot award.
Late Ernest Pereowei scored nine goals, Azibapu Vincent of Anyama FC nine goals, Demeoru Ungo Robinson nine goals in two games for Azatitor FC while best behaved team went to Peretorugbene Fc.
Spectators have continued to enjoy good football and off the pitch excitement especially in Imiringi, Twon Brass, B.D.G.S, Swali and Ogboloma Centers.
Yenagoa produced eight centres due to the number of registered teams, Opolo, Kpansia, Swali/Ox-Lake, BDGS, Tombia, Okordia and Agbia. Brass LGA has Twon Brass and Ogbokiri/Akassa Centres, Ogbia LGA produced Imiringi, Kolo and Otuopoti Centers, while Ekeremor LGA has Ayamasa, Agge and Egbema-Angalabiri as Centres.
Sagbama has two centres Ebedebiri and Sagbama Town, Nembe with one centre the Nembe City Stadium, Southern Ijaw has Amassoma, Azuazama, Oporoma. Kolokuma-Opukuma has Kaiama and Opukuma as centres.
In a related development, the draws for round of 32 fixtures in the ongoing Bayelsa State Governor's Football Tournament have been concluded.
The opening fixtures of the round, will see Apret FC of Imiringi face-off with last year's finalist Odioma United while former Ogbia Champions, Movers FC of Otuasega will square off with Moses FC of Sangana by 3pm at the Nembe centre.
Okodi FC who knocked out Anyama FC to qualify from the Otuokpoti Centre will entertain Biseni United, as Amassoma United FC faces high scoring De Grace FC at the Swali Centre.
The Imiringi centre will also come alive when Kiri-Pogu Owokiri takes on Dream Academy, as high flying NUJ FC welcomes Ikolo FC at 3pm. Buotoru FC of Igbedi at the Tombia Centre will tango with Akenfa FC while enterprising Dream Boys FC of Odi battles Yenegwe FC.
Ebi Amula tutored Agbere FC at the Ebedebiri Army College Centre will be guests to Agge United, as Azagbene Federated Community lock horns with Ofoni United at 3pm.
Giant killers Rose of Sharon FC of Ekeki will battle Ayisco FC of Ogboinbiri at the Amassoma Centre, while Onopa FC will have a date with Oporoma FC at 3pm same venue.
Bayelsa United Feeders at the Samson Siasia Stadium face Ayamalem FC at 10am on Saturday, while the early kick-off of the day will see Shegbelite FC tackle Igbogene FC by 8am.
Tournament discovery Everton Academy of Ikolo will have their first acid test of the tournament with a date with high flying Crusaders Feeders FC, Ogbo United FC who eliminated Famgbe FC to progress to the round of 32 square off with Ogbolo FC at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex.
The Round of 32 promises to see more fire cra kers as teams are leaving no stone unturned to get closer to the mega bucks of 5million.