Ibani United Trounces Bright Star FC 3 Nil at Amanyanabo Football Tournament Opener

Defending champions, Ibani United FC, owned by business mogul, Christian Jumbo, trashed opponents, Bright Star FC 3-0 at the opening match of the 2025 edition of the Amanyanabo Football Tournament in Bonny, Rivers State.

The competition, which has 16 teams tussling against each other, was kicked off by the patron and Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward William Dappa Pepple III, CON, Perekule XI on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Ibani United No. 18 shirt, Benedict Pepple, who scored a hattrick on the 40th, 64th and 67th minutes to give his side the victory, was declared man of the match and presented with a gift by the Bonny Monarch.

Sponsors, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), through its Managing Director, Philip Mshelbila, who was represented by the acting Community Relations Manager, Ifeanyi Umeh, commended the Bonny King for his steadfastness in creating a platform for discovery of talents.

The organizer, Grafton’s Entertainment, through its Chief Executive Officer, Tonye Ibiama expressed delight over the kick off of the competition, saying that, like previous editions, he was optimistic that new talents would discovered again this year.

Dignitaries who watched the opening match include the Chairman of Bonny LGA, Abinye Pepple, his Vice, Ibinyefagha Alabere, Chairman of Bonny Chiefs Council, Se-Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox, NLNG’s General Manager, Production, Nnamdi Anowi, represented by Ken Azuogwu, and ex-Super Eagles Coach, Fanny Amun, amongst others.