Sports
CAF Confed: Enyimba Wants To Reach Group Stages
Following their 1-1 draw against Bidvest Wits of South Africa, Enyimba midfielder Dare Ojo has warned his teammates to keep working hard.
Ojo has sent a warning to his teammates about becoming complacent in the wake of a draw during the CAF Confederation Cup play-off first leg match in Johannesburg.
The People’s Elephant conceded a goal after just three minutes, but responded almost immediately with home-based Super Eagles forward Ibrahim Mustapha grabbing the equaliser two minutes later.
“It was a good result for us, one that put us in the driving seat and a good chance of making it to the group stages of the competition,” Ojo said to Completesportsnigeria.com.
“But we have to be careful not to throw everything away by thinking we are already through to the next round. It’s important that we do not complacent or be over confident.
“I know they (Bidvest Wits) will fight till the end and won’t think it is over despite the first leg result.
“I just hope we will complete the job at home and then move on to the next stage.”
The second leg will take place on Wednesday, April 18, at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, with the overall winner guaranteed of place in the group stages.
Chelsea have announced the biggest pre-tax loss in Premier League history.
The £262m deficit for 2024-25 eclipses the £197.5m lost by Manchester City in 2011.
It comes despite Chelsea bringing in £490.9m in revenue, which the club said is the second highest total in their history.
In 2024-25 the Blues won the Uefa Conference League and Club World Cup, and finished fourth in the Premier League.
The club insist they remain compliant with financial regulations such as Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) which allow losses of £105m over three years.
Figures used to calculate this are different to the pure pre-tax loss.
Chelsea have spent more than £1bn on players since BlueCo took over in 2022, signing a raft of younger players on long-term contracts.
Uefa fined the club £26.7m at the start of the season for breaching squad?cost ratio rules and is also monitoring them over a three?year period.
Sources disclosed that the reported losses include fines, among them the £10.75m Premier League sanction relating to agent payments made under Roman Abramovich’s ownership, as well as write?offs in the accounts for high?profile players such as Raheem Sterling, who was released, and Mykhailo Mudryk, who is being investigated over a failed drugs test.
Chelsea believe income will be at record levels in their next accounts, with an extra £85m earned from winning the Club World Cup, plus about £80m in television revenue from the Champions League.
The loss is less than the £355m quoted on Uefa’s benchmarking report last month.
That figure is understood to be a result of sales between two clubs in a multi-club model being excluded, with Chelsea having the same owners as French outfit Strasbourg.
Chelsea also revealed their women’s team lost £17.1m in 2024-25, with revenue at £21.3m.
It is important to note that Chelsea have not yet released their full accounts, which will soon be published at Companies House and are expected to provide a more detailed picture.
The only information currently available is from the statement made by Chelsea on yesterday.
“People ask whether Chelsea are a football club or a hedge?fund experiment. I don’t think these accounts offer any clearer answer. We are still waiting to see the full picture on Companies House,” said football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
He said the figures highlighted the importance of Champions League football to a club that is currently sixth in the league.
The match, which ended 2-2 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday, March 28, was marred by a series of serious breaches. According to the NPFL, Bendel Insurance failed to provide adequate matchday security, which allowed unauthorised individuals to gain access to restricted areas within the stadium.
The situation deteriorated further after the final whistle. Supporters of the Benin-based club were found guilty of unsporting behaviour, and match officials were reportedly held hostage for 40 minutes in the aftermath of the game, a development the league described as a direct violation of football governance and safety standards.
Boboye was found guilty of gross misconduct towards a match official, an act deemed to be in breach of the league’s regulations on discipline and fair play.
In addition to the coach’s personal sanction, Bendel Insurance were fined five million naira for the various breaches, with the club also ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors.
The NPFL said the penalties reflected its commitment to maintaining order, professionalism and respect for match officials, particularly in high-pressure situations.
The suspension represents a significant blow to Bendel Insurance at a critical stage of the season, leaving the technical crew to manage upcoming fixtures without Boboye’s direct influence on the touchline. The closed-door order will also deprive the club of home support at the Ogbemudia Stadium, affecting both atmosphere and the financial returns from those matches.
Bendel Insurance retain the right to appeal the ruling through the appropriate NPFL disciplinary channels
According to reports, the accident happened while the club was travelling to Lagos for a Nigeria National League (NNL) fixture.
The club confirmed that the team bus lost control and tumbled near Asaba during the journey.
In a statement, Calabar Rovers said that the accident left several players, officials, and staff injured, with one player in critical condition receiving intensive medical care.
The club described the situation as “a painful moment,” adding that the injured are receiving the best possible treatment and support.
It stated that the welfare of the players remains its top priority during the period.
The club said it appreciates the prayers and urged fans to continue to keep the injured players in their thoughts.
The team was travelling for an away fixture against Sporting Lagos, which incidentally, had already been postponed indefinitely by the NNLboard due to the unavailability of the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
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