The Bayelsa State Governor’s Cup, tagged Prosperity Cup, has consistently produced top football talents over the years, especially for teams like Bayelsa United and other clubs both locally and abroad.
One of last season’s standout discoveries, Harmony John, formerly of Golden Sun Sports Club, was signed by Bayelsa Queens and made history on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, by scoring on her professional debut against Benue Queens in a Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) fixture at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Coach Whyte Ogbonda surprised many by including the teenage attacking midfielder in the starting lineup. To the delight of the fans, Harmony repaid the coach’s trust with a Woman of the Match performance in her first-ever top-flight appearance for her dream club.
Her moment came in the 10th minute when she finished off a brilliant team move, firing home a rebound to hand the Prosperity Girls the lead—a goal that ultimately secured all three points and pushed them three points ahead of rivals Rivers Angels, who had earlier lost to FC Robo of Lagos.
Harmony’s rise and performance are a testament to His Excellency Senator Douye Diri’s “Assured Prosperity” agenda, which aims to uplift youth through heavy investment in grassroots football—the largest of its kind in Nigeria.
Credit also goes to the Bayelsa Queens board, led by Chairman Pastor Robin Apreala, and the club’s technical crew for giving young talents like Harmony the platform to shine at a club of such pedigree.
With the 2025 female edition of the Prosperity Cup yet to kick off, more rising stars like Harmony John are expected to be unearthed—not just for Bayelsa Queens, but hopefully for other top-flight clubs across the country.
By Yakubu Uzoma Muhammad
