Sports
Enyimba Crashes Out Of CAF Champions League
Enyimba has bowed out of the 2020-21 CAF Champions League despite their 2-1 victory over Al Merreikh on Wednesday.
Having bowed 3-0 in the first round, first leg clash in Omdurman, thanks to Saif Terry’s hat-trick, the People’s Elephant needed to defeat the Sudanese giants convincingly in Aba.
However, that was not the case and the two-time African kings kissed the competition goodbye.
In the keenly contested affair at the Enyimba International Stadium, it was Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s men who took the lead, again through Terry, in the eighth minute.
The lead only lasted for six minutes as Victor Mbaoma slotted past impressive Munjid Al-Neel in the 14th minute.
That equaliser was a morale booster for the hosts, albeit, they fluffed several scoring opportunities.
Chances were few for the visitors but they looked dangerous on the counter-attack while forcing some smart saves from goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode, who was the captain of the Nigerian side.
Needing four goals to qualify at the expense of the Leaders, Enyimba surged forward at the commencement of the last 45 minutes.
They were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute following a reckless challenge on Samad Kadiri from an Al Merreikh defender. Mbaoma converted the ensuing kick to complete his double on the day.
The People’s Elephants attacked in their numbers but were poor in the final third with Mbaoma and Kadiri the main culprits.
Even with the introduction of Gabriel Orok and Anthony Omaka for Sadiq Abubakar and Dare Olatunji, the Osho’s side were unable to break down the stubborn visitors. League Facts
After 90 minutes, it was the 21-time Sudan Premier League champions who progressed to the group stage in a 4-2 aggregate win.
Enyimba now join the likes of Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, Ghana’s Asante Kotoko, Kenya’s Gor Mahia and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the play-off round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Despite enjoying success on the continent by winning consecutive African titles in 2003 and 2004, the eight-time Nigeria Professional Football League kings have failed to make an impression on the continent recently while changing coaches regularly.
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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