Sports
Why We Lost To Raja Casablanca -Enyimba’s Coach
Enyimba FC of Aba’s Coach, Usman Abdullah, has blamed his team’s 0-1 loss to visiting Raja Casablanca of Morocco in a continental encounter, on fatigue.
Abdullah said during a post-match press briefing held at the Enyimba International FC Stadium complex that his boys were engaged close to the encounter and never had any rest.
He said his team played five matches in ten days,which affected their performance and quality of play,having suffered exhaustion because of being on the road constantly.
“NFF should have protected us because we are the only team in Nigeria playing the African cup matches. Now they have seen what had happened.
“Going to Gombe is a two-day trip. We played a match on Sunday and left in the morning. We only arrived Gombe the next day, Tuesday, and on Wednesday, we played a game against one of the toughest clubs in Nigeria.
“On Saturday morning, we had to leave and on our arrival in Aba on Sunday, we had only one day left to train and to play.
“I think the NFF should have protected us and granted some privilege but they did not; we have learnt our lessons”, Abdullah said.
He said that his team had not lost hope of advancing in the game because the match in Aba was just the first leg of their encounter with Raja Casablanca.
He said his team would need to do a lot of work to win the second leg of the encounter, promising to prepare adequately.
“It is far from being over because this is the first part of the match and now we are familiar with our opponent.
“We played them without knowing them but having known them now, we would have to go to the drawing board and do some work”, he said.
Raja Casablanca Coach, Juan Carlos Garrido, said the match was tough but his team won, having studied Enyimba and known their pattern of play.
“We worked hard, knowing our opponent and our players played the match respecting the quality of Enyimba and their game.
“For us, the motivation was very high because they (players) knew the match demanded everything”, he said.
He said that although they won the first part of the match in Aba, they would still go home and prepare harder for the second leg.
Raja Casablanca’s Zakaria Hadraf scored the only goal of the match at the 48th minute of play.
Enyimba missed a lot of opportunities to poor marksmanship, one of which was a spot kick wasted by Sopuruchi Dimgba.
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.