Sports
Rivers Utd Counts On Experience For Confed Cup
Rivers United’s Stanley Eguma believes his side’s experience in the Caf Champions League will give them an edge over Rayon Sports in their Confederation Cup ties.
The Nigeria Professional Football League side crashed out of the continent’s elite championship after losing 4-3 on aggregate to Sudanese outfit, Al-Merrikh, and the tactician assures that they will work harder this time to ensure they win their home game convincingly ahead of their return leg in Rwanda.
“We have to work harder, our experience in the champions league ouster is a big loss to us, but we have to work extra hard and then ensure we don’t make mistakes again,” Eguma told media.
“We also have to ensure we win with a wide margin because anything can happen any day, anytime.”
Eguma also apologized to Nigerians on their disappointing performance in Sudan, but added that they will ensure such performance does not repeat itself in the African second-tier tourney.
“One thing in Nigeria [is that] we are friendly with our opponents, we treat them very well but when we go away, they treat us like animals, like we don’t deserve to live.
“Football is not war, it is played everywhere in the whole world, so I expect we have a level playing ground everywhere, especially in Africa, whereby African players will see themselves as brothers and not to intimidate people, that is not football.
“I thank God that we came back but the unfortunate this is that we disappointed Nigerians, we say sorry to Nigerians and we hope that we do better in the confederation cup,” he concluded.
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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