Sports
CAF Championship: Rivers United’s Performance Excites Bipi, Others
A football enthusiast and Chief Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi has expressed delight with the performance of Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt, against A.S. Real Bamako of Mali in the second leg preliminary round of the CAF Champions League played at the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, Sunday.
Bipi, who is also the lawmaker representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency in the Assembly in an interview with our correspondent soon after the encounter at the Stadium said with the performance of the Nigerian team, Rivers United FC at Mali, a forthnight ago and their artistic display here in Port Harcourt, he was optimistic that the team would make Nigeria and indeed Rivers State proud.
He called for the support of all Nigerians and sports loving people for the team to emerge victorious in their next encounters so as to make the dreams of all people come true.
Bipi also gave kudos to the players and indeed the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike for all the efforts in ensuring that Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt performed credibtably well in this year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League, after picking a ticket in the Nigeria Professional League, enjoining all to keep up the tempo.
Also speaking with our correspondent, a former Chairman of Sharks Football Club Supporters Club, Minalinyo Igani said, ‘it was a fine match although the Nigerian players in the first half were a bit relaxed which gave the visitors an advantage”.
Igani however gave kudos to the coaching crew who gave the players pep-talk that made them to wallop their opponents 4-0, as well as commended the officiating of the match, which he said had shown that football is growing in Africa.
A football promoter, Ambassador Miebi Ogunu, who is also the President, Independent Grassroot Sports Development Assocation opined that although it was a long journey of tactical and technical play, thank God that the journey had started with a step, and wished Rivers United FC successes in their future encounters.
On the officiating, a former Chairman of Rivers State Football Referees Association, Chief Omineokuma Kile said the officiating by the referee was okey and the two penalties awarded the United side were in order according to FIFA rules, and also commended the team for their victory.
However, a pioneer play maker of red Devils of Port Harcourt which metamorphosed to Sharks Football Club said he was not impressed with the performance of the players but that they were just lucky for the first penalty, and charged the coach, Stanley Eguma to brace-up and work hard for the next encounters.
Collins Barsimeye
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.
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