Sports

Rivers Hoopers Coach Predicts Tough Basketball Finals

Published

10 years ago

June 20, 2016

Rivers Hoopers head
coach Ogoh Odaudu has said that a tough challenge awaits his wards in the DSTV Basketball League Finals when all qualified teams slug it out in Lagos this week.
The two-time champions qualified alongside Atlantic Conference winners Kwara Falcons, Nigeria Customs and Oluyole Warriors from the Atlantic Conference while former champions Kano Pillars, Gombe Bulls, Plateau Peaks and Niger Potters will host the Savannah Conference flag.
Odaudu, a former Nigeria international is nonetheless optimistic his side will give a good account of themselves.
“Considering the fact that we just got off from relegation, this is the first season and we are now playing against two podium finishers last season. It is going to be very difficult,” Odaudu said as a background.
“It is going to be an uphill task but just like I always say, we are not going to go to Lagos just to go and participate.
“We are going go to Lagos and we are going to compete.” he said.
Hoopers have been placed in Group B which has Kano Pillars, Gombe Bulls and Oluyole Warriors while Group A comprises of Kwara Falcons, Nigeria Customs, Plateau Peaks and Niger Potters.
Despite the apparent strength of the two teams from the Savannah Conference in Group B, the Benue-born tactician disclosed his preference and thinks his side can progress beyond the group stage.
“Perfectly, I prefer the group that I am right now because in group A, you are going to qualify for the semi-finals but you are going to meet either of Kano or Gombe Bulls in the semi-finals and by that time, they would have played two or three games. It is better to play them now than to play them in the semi-final stages.” Odaudu explained.
He has however set a minimum target of a podium finish for his side at the end of the final play offs of this season’s DSTV Baskeball League.
“We hope to come first, second or third, that is what our target is,” he confidently asserted.
“Basketball is not played on paper. We can as well say we are going to win the final but when we get there, we cannot tell what will happen.”he concluded.
Hoopers will open their Finals campaign today against Gombe Bulls at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

PH To Host 2026 NWFL Super Six

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Women Football League has announced Port Harcourt as the host city for the 2026 Premiership Super Six, marking the first time the season-ending tournament will be held in Rivers State.

In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.

NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.

The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.

Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.

The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.

The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.

Sports

Khana, Akpajo All-Stars Set For Friendly Match ” Morrow”

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Khana All Stars FC in the Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, will tomorrow host Akpajo All Stars in a friendly football match at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, football pitch.

The return leg of the friendly game promises to be exciting and entertaining as both teams are prepared.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tidesports yesterday in Port Harcourt, the chairman of Khana All Stars FC, Saro Tap-le, said preparations for the game are in top gear.

According to him, they will use the match to honour and decorate their patron, the Chairman of Khana LGA, Dr. Bariere Thomas.

He said the encounter won’t be an easy one, knowing that Akpaoju All Stars are coming with full force to win the match.

“We played in Akpajo before, and they hosted us well, so tomorrow is our day to host them back. We are doing everything possible to give them a good fight. All arrangements for hosting them are in top gear.

“There is no cause for alarm. We are doing our best to host them in a big way. It is an All-Stars game, so winning is not the most important thing. What matters is the relationship we will create.

“You know, in the first encounter they defeated us 2-0, so tomorrow we will do our best to ensure we repay the scoreline.

“I think my teammates are training very hard for the game. Despite the fact that it’s not all about winning, we are going to surprise them,” Saro Tap-le stated.

Kiadum Edookor