Sports
CAF Confed Cup: Rivers United Tackles Celtic, Today
Rivers United players and officials will today in South Africa tackle Celtic Bloemfontein in the first leg match of the first round stage of the 2020/21 CAF Confederation Cup.
The Pride of Rivers, as United is fondly called will take to the pitch, knowing that a victory will take them within touching distance of the next round of the competition and a sum of N2,000,000.00 windfall. The largesse is a promise made to the club by business magnate, politician and philanthropist, Bro Felix Obua. The Philanthropist, also known as Go Round promised to dole out N2,000,000 FOR A win, N1,000,000 for a draw and N200,000 for each goal scored by the team in the game.
Thus, Rivers United and their handlers have their work cut out as they go against their host in the encounter.
For the coach Stanly Eguma tutored United the stakes are high enough with good motivation to go the extra mile. However, United must be at their best at the Dr Petrus Molema Stadium to take something away from the venue following the Bloemfontein Celtic good home record in recent times.
Eguma is expected to have a full squad available, provided that the COVID-19 test conducted on the team yesterday returned no positive result.
It is expected that the game would be a tight affair owing to the current good form of both teams and the fact that they both needed the lottery of spotkicks to edge out their respective opponents in the last round.
Though the South Africa side seems to be a ball playing team with little hesitation to impose their kind of game on opponents.
Rivers United has raised their game and possesses the force to neutralize Celtic and probably surprise them in their own backyard.
Keeper Theopholus Afelokhai should be available to man the post, while Godwin Aguda leads the list of performers in fine form to continue their run in Rivers United’s first team.
The game is expected to kick off at 5pm Nigerian time.
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.