Lucky Baratuapre made history by netting the first hattrick of Season Seven of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament, 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 impressive performance powered Water Strikers FC to a resounding 6-0 victory over New Strikers, sending a strong message to other competing teams. His three goals came in the 4th, 8th, and 10th minutes, while Kingboy Inanumo added another in the 14th minute. Daniel Francis and Ebinyon Kalio sealed the win with goals in the 66th and 69th minutes.
In the second match of the day at the Twon Brass Centre, Location FC triumphed over Canaan FC with a 3-1 win to advance to the next round. Otonye Oscar scored twice in the 13th and 38th minutes, with Dennis Albert netting the third in the 41st minute. Felix Wisdom scored a consolation goal for Canaan FC in the 90th minute.
At the Nembe Centre, Jeremiah Odedia’s brace in the 60th and 80th minutes secured Okoroba FC’s passage to the next round, defeating Ultimate Lakers FC. In the second match, Nembe City FC dominated Fisherman’s Sons FC, winning 2-0 with goals from Ayebatari Abraham and Ayebaeriworio Kingsley in the 29th and 63rd minutes, respectively.
The tournament continues with matches at the Twon Brass Centre on Thursday. Agbor FC will face Nim Sam FC at 1:00 pm, followed by Bright Light FC against Odio FC at 3:00 pm. On Friday, Igoni FC will take on Egweama FC.
Teams from Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Areas are also set to join the action this weekend as the Prosperity Cup—the pinnacle of grassroots football—rolls on.
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