Sports

CWCL: Rivers Angels’ Coach Expresses Worry

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2021

Rivers Angels’ coach, Edwin Okon, believes Hasaacas Ladies FC of Ghana will provide a stern test for his side ahead of their 2021 CAF Women’s Champions League ( CWCL) zonal qualifiers, but he is hopeful they will qualify from the group.
Reigning Nigeria Women Football League champions, Angels were drawn alongside Hasaacas Ladies FC of Ghana and AS Police de Niamey from Niger in Group B last week.
The 2021 CAF Women’s Champions League zonal qualifiers are billed to hold from July 17 to 30 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
According to him, Hasaacas Ladies have been active lately than they (Angels) have been, saying that, they will be fully prepared and said that in his experience, football is not arithmetic like some thought, Okon said.
“We haven’t played enough quality friendly matches before now but what we’ve been doing here is good enough as well. We are doing all we can to put the girls in the right frame of mind for the tournament and shape going forward. The girls have been training for a while now and we’ve had a couple of games lined up to prepare them, so we are good to go. Our aim is to qualify for the finals of the zonal qualifiers.”
Rivers Angels’ opening game will be against Hasaacas on July 17, before taking on AS Police de Niamey from Niger, three days later.
Earlier, Rivers Angels’ Captain, Catherine Kenneth, had said that the team’s aim was to treat every game as the final and leave a mark on the minds of Nigerians and Africans as well, by qualifying for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
“It is a good draw. I have a strong belief that it is favourable. Our objective is to be on top of the table and to treat every game as the final. This is not an opportunity to outshine any team but an opportunity to leave a positive mark on the sands of time and qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League proper,” Angels’ Captain said.
The top two teams from each group proceed to the semi-finals, with the winners qualifying for the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt.
Rivers Angels were expected to undergo a Covid-19 screening yesterday, as they prepare to depart the country for Abidjan, the team’s media officer, Jessica Amadi, confirmed on Monday.

By: Nancy Briggs

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.

The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.

Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.

” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.

” This programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the programme”, Inyengiyikabo stated.

Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.

He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was indication the game was popular in Nigeria.

” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.

“The few days we have stayed Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.

Kiadum Edookor

Sports

CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials, depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo.

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm.

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

Sports

FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.