Non-league side, Crusaders Football Club of Peretorugbene and Bayelsa Queens FC of Yenagoa on Sunday, February 22, 2025 emerged as champions of the male and female categories of the President Federation Cup in the Bayelsa State finals.
Playing at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Crusaders side dispatched tournament favourites, Bayelsa United by 4-2 on penalties after score tied at 2-2 after regulation time.
United drew first blood in the 20th minute of play through Emo James. In the second stanza of the game, a determined Crusaders side took the battle to the Prosperity Boys, pushing and pressing until the 55th minute when their effort paid with a beautiful equalizer through Nupe Godspower.
Again, Bayelsa United went ahead in the 66th minute through Fuluwa Akpoabowei but the joy of the players and supporters of United was cut short three minutes later as Crusaders drew level through Junior Christopher.
Crusaders had every opportunity to wrap up the game within regulation time when in the 90th minute of play, a close range shot was blocked by a Bayelsa United defender.
The attendant corner kick plus added time could still not separate the two sides and both sides went through the rituals of preparing for penalties
In the ensuing penalty shootout, the youthful Crusader side taught Bayelsa United a few lessons on how to take spot kick as they converted all the four they took while United could only manage to convert two of their kicks.
It was however only their pride and prestige that suffered some bashing as Bayelsa United still qualified along with their conquerors, Crusaders to represent the state in the national preliminaries of the President FA Cup.
Meanwhile, in the early kick off match, Bayelsa Queens pummelled hapless Crystal Stars 8-0 to win the female version of the President Federation Cup, Bayelsa State final.
The Prosperity Girls were intentional and ruthless with a clear purpose of what they wanted. Ayomide Arowokye started the torrent of goals with her 2nd minute effort.
Not done, Arowokye was back on the score sheet, securing a brace in the 28 minutes. Precious Oscar was also on song with her own brace in the 24th and 29th minutes of play. The second of her two goals was through a spot kick.
Chisom Chika made it five in the 36th minute to close first half proceedings.
On resumption for the second stanza, Crystal Stars put up a show as if to score but it was all a ruse as they only ended up exposing themselves as an inexperienced side, leaving Bayelsa Queens to complete the massacre.
Mariam Muyideen found the net twice in the 80th and 88th minute of play while Mirabel completed the 8-0 demolition with a 90th minute goal.
Crystal Stars will have to find solutions to their inadequacies if they hope to make any headway in the national preliminaries of the Federation Cup.
