Sports
Confederation Cup: Rangers Ready For USMBA Of Algeria’s Onslaught
The Media Officer of Rangers International Football of Enugu, Norbert Okolie, says the club is ready to beat Union Sportive Medinat Bel Abbes (USMBA) of Algeria in Enugu.
Rangers held the Algerian Champions to 0-0 draw in the first leg of the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup in Algeria.
Okolie told newsmen in Enugu yesterday that Rangers could not let the opportunity of winning the visitors and progress to the next level slip away from their hands.
“Though, we have a good chance against them and the players know that; so there will be no room for complacency till the end of the 90 minutes on Sunday,’’ he said.
Okolie noted that the visitors would have their hands full on Sunday as the strikers were good to go as well as the midfielders to supply the killing passes, saying the defenders were all in form. The Ranger spokesman said that the Algerian champions would not be push-overs for them as they also wanted to progress.
He called for early goals to help destabilise USMBA so that the other remaining minutes of the match would be easy for them. Speaking on the injury update of the team, the spokesman said all the players were free from injury, noting that the technical crew had a full house for the match.
Okolie said that the players had been training morning and evening as the club’s Technical Adviser Olugbenga Ogunbote had also been perfecting strategies for the match.
He praised all the team’s goalkeepers, saying that the cooperation among them was the secret of their good performance in past matches. “Yes, for the past three matches at the Confederation Cup, the Ghanaian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu, had been in the post but he was able to do well owing to the support of other goalkeepers.
“Bonsu has two clean sheets from the three continental matches we have played so far and it is good for his confidence and other goalkeepers. “He did not concede in our first match against Defence Force SC of Ethiopia which ended 2-0 and the fortnight 0-0 draw in Algeria.
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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