Rivers Utd Wins Gov Wike Pre-Season Tourney

Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt, yesterday emerged the winner of the second edition of Governor Wike pre-season football tournament at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The Pride of Rivers State, came from behind to defeat Bayelsa Utd 5-4 on penalties after playing one all draw in the regulation time.
Bayelsa United gave the winners a spirited fight that saw them take the lead in the first half. Rivers United, however, fought back gamely after resumption and a sustained pressure saw them finally breach the stubborn defence and goal of the opponents.
In the end, it was a highly entertaining and quality final contest to round off the tournament which has thrilled football fans for about 10 days in Port Harcourt.
Speaking after the final match, the Governor of Rivers state Barr Nyesor Wike, thanked the Ministry of Sports, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the team that particip-ated, noting that, the standard of play in the tournament was quite impressive.
According to him, for to go into spots kicks showed that the standard of play is very high, adding that, both teams evenly matched
Governor Wike, who was represented by the state Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Ambassador Desmond Akawor, also congratulated Rivers United for winning this year edition.
He further explained that, the state’s Real Madrid football academy is another starting point where a lot of youth will be educated and will be inculcated with techniques and tactics of the game as obtainable in the Western World.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Sports Rivers State Hon Boma Iyaye thanked all the that featured teams in this year’s edition of Governor Wike preseason tournament, stressed that, the tournament was to assess and witness the strength and weaknesses of teams that will take part in new season of Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL), and the continental with a view to improving them.

By: Kiadum Edookor