June 24, (THEWILL) – Eternal Grace Ministry (EGM) FC, who are the defending champions of Nigeria’s largest grassroots football competition, the Bayelsa State Governor’s Football Tournament, have been dumped out of the tournament, after suffering a stunning 6-5 defeat on penalties by less fancied side, Rose of Sharon FC.
The defending champions, EGM FC, mounted so much pressure on their opponent from the first half all through the entire encounter but were unable to find the back of the net, as the game ended in a goalless draw in regulation time at the Opolo centre, where they crashed out through penalties.
EGM FC became more nervous and increased their pressure after the break and kept pushing forward, but despite dominating the second half, they were curtailed by the vigilant Rose of Sharon FC.
The tournament’s fourth holder of the title failed to defend the trophy, despite trouncing ‘School Boys’, Faith Comprehensive Secondary School 15-0 in their opening fixture.
Rose of Sharon FC’s victory could be likened to Okodi FC’s upset against last year’s semi-finalist Anyama FC of Ogbia, who lost one nil to neighbours, Okodi FC, at the Otuopoti venue.
Elsewhere in the competition at the Okordia Centre, Polaku FC beat God’s Grace Stars FC 3-2, just as Biseni United defeated Okolobiri FC 3-0 in the same centre.
Ohaneze FC also progressed to the next phase with a 2-1 victory over Zola FC, NMA FC, at the Okordia centre kept their hopes of moving to the money-spinning stage, as they beat another faith-based organisation, City Zuph FC, 4-3 on penalties after an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Igbogene FC, at the Ogboloma Centre, humbled JTF H/QTRS 3-0, Ogbolo FC, at the Kpansia Centre, eased out Agbura FC 2-1, Dream Academy at the Tombia Centre pipped Northern Strikers 3-1 to end Northern Strikers fairytale run in the competition, while Kpansia 3 FC in the second game beat Experience Academy by a lone goal.
Action returns Saturday, in matchday 13 of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament across different centres.
