Niger Delta Games| Edo 2026: Team Edo Shine as Bayelsa and Imo Share Spoils on Thrilling Matchday One.

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By Sportsgister

Football at the Niger Delta Games, Edo 2026 opened in emphatic fashion, delivering a Matchday One rich in goals, momentum swings, and commanding performances across both the men’s and women’s competitions.

The men’s contest between Team Bayelsa and Team Imo provided immediate fireworks. Imo struck just before halftime through Ifeanyi Nnorom, whose composed finish gave his side the early advantage and rewarded their bright attacking start. Bayelsa emerged from the break with renewed urgency, pressing higher up the pitch and committing numbers forward. Their response came through Priye Ibomoh, who restored parity with a well-taken effort that shifted the momentum.

Sensing control, Bayelsa intensified their attacking play and were rewarded again when Victor Williams completed the turnaround, finishing confidently to put his side ahead. But the drama was far from over. Imo refused to yield and found a decisive response in the closing stages, as Chigozirim Anamelechi capitalized on pressure in the final third to secure a deserved equalizer in a pulsating four-goal encounter.

Team Delta and Team Akwa Ibom followed with a contest defined by structure and discipline. While chances were more measured, both sides demonstrated tactical awareness and defensive organization. Each team found the net in a balanced affair that highlighted composure and resilience, ensuring the points were shared after a competitive battle in midfield.

The standout performance of the day, however, came in the women’s category, where Team Edo delivered a ruthless attacking exhibition against Team Akwa Ibom.

Edo wasted no time asserting control, with Favour Enodumwenben opening the scoring early to ignite the home crowd. She doubled the advantage minutes later, displaying sharp movement and clinical finishing. Just before the interval, Aisosa Okodia calmly converted from the penalty spot to further extend Edo’s dominance.

The second half resumed with the same intensity. Agatha Imoisili added another shortly after the restart, reinforcing Edo’s control of proceedings. Favour Enodumwenben then completed a superb hat-trick, underlining her standout quality and composure in front of goal. Victoria Apaneshia capped the performance late on, sealing an emphatic six-goal display that firmly established Team Edo as early contenders in the competition.

Beyond the scorelines, Matchday One reflected preparation, ambition, and the steady growth of football across the Niger Delta. The attacking quality, tactical discipline, and competitive spirit on display set a strong benchmark for the tournament ahead.

The action continues today, Saturday, 21st February, at the Crescent Sports Centre, Benin. In the men’s event, Team Edo will take on Team Ondo in the opening match, followed by Team Imo facing Team Cross River in the second fixture.
In the women’s event, Team Abia will clash with Team Cross River in the first game at 9:30 AM, while Team Edo goes head-to-head with Team Delta in the second match