Excited Diri gives new bus, N14m to Bayelsa United

• To face Tunisia’s Club Sportif Sfaxien

Black Queens of Ghana celebrating their victory over Cameroun at the Aisha Buhari Cup…yesterday<br />

The match, which took place at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, was a one leg encounter due to the military coup in Guinea. The Prosperity Boys, as Bayelsa United is called, will face Club Sportif Sfaxien of Tunisia in the second round between October 15 and 17.

Governor Diri, who was at the Samson Siasia Stadium to cheer the team, was excited by the quality football played by Bayelsa United.

Midfielder, Favour Martins fired the Nigerian AITEO Cup Champions into the lead from Okardi Inikurogha’s cross in the fifth minute, and a few minutes later, captain Benard Okorowanta almost made it two but his effort was saved by AS Ashanti Golden Boys goaltender, Elie Ouendeno.

Man of the moment, Okardi Inikurogha, compounded the woes of the visitors in the 31st minute from Hassan Oladimeji’s pass when Cheik Oumar Ballo brought Emo James down outside the danger zone having dominated the midfield for a long period of time.

Bayelsa United’s quest for goals continued in the 36 minutes when U-23 invitee, Emo James, increased the scoreline as he fired home from Zakala Tobin’s left-footed cross to ensure that the Prosperity Boys maintained their 100 percent home record.

In the second half, AS Ashanti Golden Boys reduced the deficit with a goal by Naby Sylla.

But a few minutes later, Okardi Inikurogha’s header sealed the victory for Bayelsa United to ensure that the visitor’s sightseeing mission to Yenagoa was completed.

Ashanti Golden Boys, however, scored another goal in the 78 minutes but it was too late as the Guineans were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate.

Bayelsa United’s next opponents, CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, were drawn by in the preliminary round.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa United’s Technical Adviser, Diepreye Teibowei, said he is not afraid of any team in the continent, having dispatched big teams in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to become Aiteo Cup Champions.

AS Ashanti Golden Boys coach, Morry Fofana, who spoke through an interpreter, said lack of information about Bayelsa United was behind his side’s lacklustre display, adding that the uncertainty in Guinea also played a role in their exit.