Sports
Enyimba Begins Quest For Third Champions League Glory
Nigeria champions,
Enyimba will begin their quest to win a third CAF Champions League today when they face hosts Vipers Sports Club at the Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Enyimba has won the competition twice, in 2003 and 2004.
However, they crashed out in the first round of the competition in 2014.
The People’s Elephant’ clinched a record seventh Nigeria league title in November after they topped the 20-team championship for almost half of the season.
Coach Paul Aigbogun, who guided Warri Wolves to finish as runners-up last season, has teamed up with the Aba outfit and so too several of the country’s top league stars like goalkeeper Theofilus Afelokhai from Kano Pillars and Kwara United midfielder Dare Ojo.
Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas said they are battle ready.
“With the level of preparation in camp, I will say we are battle ready for the task in Kampala,” he said.
“We will be gunning for victory and pray for favour from God. We just have to play our hearts out in the game.”
Vipers, on the other hand, just unveiled new coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe on February 4.
“I am very excited to join Vipers SC, a lot is expected of me from today, but as a team we will attain the club’s goals,” the soft-spoken Nsimbe said.
The Uganda champions will be without star striker Farouk Miya, who has joined Belgian club Standard Liege, as well as first-choice goalkeeper Ismail Watenga and defender Shafiq Bakaki.
This will be the first time they will represent the country on the continent after they pulled out of the 2010 Champions League, citing financial constraints.A
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.