Bendel Insurance pip Krusaders FC in Gov Diri pre-season tourney opener

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, on Monday, defeated 2024 champions of the Bayelsa Governor’s Cup, Krusaders Football Club in the Governor Douye Diri pre-season football at the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

Krusaders FC is the only non-Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side participating in the 8-team pre-season tournament.

Sunshine Stars of Akure had earlier piped the host, Bayelsa United Football Club 1-0 in the match day one.

Rivers United played 1-1 draw with another NPFL side, Kwara United FC in the second march of the day.

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During the official draws, Vice Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee, Mr Perela Aboroson, said of the eight teams participating in the Pre-season tournament, two are from Bayelsa State, and both teams will be split among the groups, as he assured that the draws will be conducted without any form of bias or sentiments.

Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, commended the participating teams for their readiness to partake at the maiden Governor Douye Diri Pre-season football competition, reiterating that a lot of positives will emanate from it, among which is bonding of the teams, as well as the opportunity to scout for players ahead of the forthcoming NPFL season.

Mr Akpe also announced the prize monies for the competition, N1.5m for the first prize, N1m for the second prize and N500 thousand for the third prize, while N500,000 will be given to all teams as appearance fee.