Lucky Baratuapre has scored the first hattrick of season seven of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football showpiece, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.
Playing at the Twon Brass centre in Brass Local Government Area on Wednesday, Baratuapre’s hattrick helped Water Strikers FC to whitewash New Strikers 6-0, thereby also sending a clear signal of intent to all the participating teams.
Lucky Baratuapre’s three goals came in 4th, 8th and 10th minutes as Kingboy Inanumo increased the tally four minutes later to compound the woes of New Saints FC.
Having put up a dominant display at half time with a commanding 4-0 lead, Daniel Francis and Ebinyon Kalio completely dashed the hopes of New Saints with two more goals in the 66th and 69th minutes to send them packing.
In the second tie of the day at the Twon Brass center, Location FC humbled Canaan FC 3-1 to secure qualifications into the next round of the tournament with Otonye Oscar netting a brace on 13 and 38 minutes, Dennis Albert made it three nil on 41 minutes. Canaan FC’s consolation goal came off the foot of Felix Wisdom in 90th minute.
Elsewhere at the Nembe centre, Jeremiah Odedia’s brace on 60 and 80 minutes moved Okoroba FC into the next round of the showpiece event at the expense of Ultimate Lakers FC.
In the second match, Nembe City FC eased past Fisherman’s Sons FC by two goals to nothing to confirm their dominance of the centre. Goals from Ayebatari Abraham and Ayebaeriworio Kingsley on 29 and 63 minutes was all Nembe City needed to book their in to the next round.
The fireworks will continue on Thursday at the Twon Brass centre, where Agbor FC will entertain Nim Sam FC at 1:00pm while Bright Light FC will slug it out with Odio by 3:00pm. Friday will witness a battle between Igoni FC and Egweama FC.
Meanwhile, teams from Ekeremor and Sagbama local government areas will take to the pitch this weekend in continuation of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle.
