Akwa United Football Club are the third place winners of the 2024 Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Football Tournament after beating Kwara United 4-2 on penalties in the third place playoff game at the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday.
Both teams square up against each other in the third place playoff match after finishing second in their respective groups but after a goalless draw in regulation time the crucial encounter was decided on penalties.
Akwa United scored all four of their opening kicks. Goalkeeper Seidu Mutawakilu saved Kwara United’s second spot kick while their fourth kick was blasted over the bar as the Promise Keepers ended the tournament as third place winners.
Head Coach Muhammed Baba Ganaru congratulated his team and revealed that his technical team has achieved the purpose of taking part in the tournament and promised to work on all observed lapses in his team before the commencement of the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
“As expected, this competition has helped us to really look at our players and what they can do in real match situations against teams we will play in the upcoming season. We have also used this one week to build the confidence and fitness level of my players, they have also been able to adjust to my playing philosophy.
“We came here with some of the players we are looking to engage for the new season. While some of them have put up impressive performances we will have a rethink about some of them after seeing them in these four matches.
Generally, it’s been a wonderful outing for us and I’m very happy that we have achieved a lot in this competition and when we get back home, we will continue to build on the positives and while working to correct the negatives. Once again, I want to congratulate the organizers of this competition for the opportunity they have provided for teams to prepare for the new season”.
Meanwhile, hosts Bayelsa United are the champions of the tournament following a 7-6 penalty shootout win over Bendel Insurance after playing a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Champions Bayelsa United received a star prize of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira, finalist Bendel Insurance were presented a prize of One Million Naira while third place winners Akwa United collected a prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only.
