Sports
Confed Cup: Cautious Optimism As Dolphins Host Vegetarians
There will be mixed
feelings and fear of the unknown  tomorrow at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium, as Dolphins FC will play host to Leones Vegetarians FC of Guinea, in the second leg of CAF Cup.
Anxiety and nervousness have started to grip dolphins players and supporters, following the poor performances of the club in recent outings, especially, the  just concluded Super Four, where  the team played five matches and lost all. Besides, they also lost to their visitors by a lone goal, a forthnight ago.
Dolphins technical adviser, Stanley Eguma, attributed the unimpressive performance to late preparations occasioned by players not reporting  to camp early.
In spite of , all these, Eguma still believes that his team will scale through to  the next stage, as the technical crew has plugged the loopholes noticed in their previous games.
According to him, the team is now fully recovered from  the exit of Emem Eduok team’ s goal machine, saying that in football, players come and go and that  the club has gotten adequate replacement.
“Dolphins settled for Christian Pygbara, he can comfortably fit in the shoes of Emem.
He has a knack for scoring goals and he did so last season, so we  will hope he continues that way this season, especially in the CAF Confederation cup, apart from him also  we have other good strikers like Omo  Johnson and Ifeanyi Egwim. “ Eguma said.
He continued that his players were in high spirit,  Mentally and psychologically balanced to  ensure success in  the encounter.
Eguma noted that his players have demonstrated more commitment and vowed to win the game to make the country proud, especially Rivers State.
Dolphins captain Sunday Rotimi said that  what happened in Malabo has been put behind them.
He said they would have won, but his players lost many scoring chances, saying that if they had converted at least  two goals, his team would have been at an advantage.
However, fillers from the visitors camp who arrived yesterday have revealed that they plan to repeat what they did at home.
According to the source, the Vegetarianos are sound technically and determined to run away with victory.
however, it is expected  that Dolphins players would  not repeat what happened in Malabo, going to the match about an hour to  kickoff time, following non-payment of match bonuses and salaries. They must put on their shooting boots and take their chances as they come.
Tonye Orabere
Sports
Division One Volleyball League kicks off in Abia
 
														The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
Sports
Lagos Women Race set to empower participants
 
														The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
Sports
“Nigeria will go to World Cup”
 
														The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
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