Sports
Enyimba Decries Champion’s League Hostility In Tunisia
The ill treatment meted to
Enyimba FC players by Etoile Du Sahel of Tunisia was a ploy to distract Enyimba in the group stage of the CAF Champions League, Enyimba’s top scorer Mfom Udoh said.
The sensational striker made the assertion in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
Udoh, who was reacting to the outcome of the match with the Tunisian side, said that Enyimba had an ugly experience during the qualifiers in Tunisia.
The current highest goal scorer in the CAF Champions League with seven goals helped Enyimba to the group stage when he scored a sensational hat-trick in the first leg of the competition.
The former Akwa United striker scored 23 goals for the People’s Elephant last season to emerge the league’s highest goal scorer.
“The hostility meted out to us by our host is a ploy to distract our team from winning the crucial encounter.
“The Tunisia game is over now and we are happy that we won which is the most important thing.
“We scaled through, in spite of the antics of the Tunisians, what happened are antics and distractions to make us lose focus which almost happened.
“What we need to do now is to prepare well ahead of other tough matches, football is a challenge and we want to make sure that the cup comes back to Nigeria.
“We are already challenged and we are on the right track now, it is our target to return the cup which had eluded us. We are working hard to achieve that,’’ he said.
On Enyimba’s prospect of retaining the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top slot in the current season, Udoh said the club was on course to achieving the feat again.
“We have what it takes to retain the NPFL; we must match our records even to do well in the continental. We have to take it from home where charity begins.
“We are aware of our status at home and abroad and we will ensure that we do well domestically.’’
Udoh added that he might be plying his trade in the North African club but that his task was to ensure that Enyimba had something to show at the end of the season.
According to the Media Officer of Enyimba, Farriel Alaputa, the team was badly treated by their host, prompting a petition to CAF on the matter.
Alaputa said that no Etoile du Sahel representative was on ground to receive the team except officials of the Nigerian embassy who assisted them.
“ The threat of violence was so high that Enyimba officials were on the bench during the game as that was the only safe place they could hide.
“In spite of that, rocks, iron rods and plastic bottles were rained down on the roof of the bench throughout.
“During half time, the match officials and match commissioner were victims of the stoning and they had to retreat to the bench of Etoile,’’ he said.
Enyimba FC, two-time winner of the CAF Champions League, is the nation’s only representative left in the continental competition this season.
Other Nigerian representatives, including Akwa United, Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves crashed out before the group stages.
However, basking in the euphoria of their remarkable victory over the reigning CAF Confederation Cup winners, Enyimba got what they did not bargained for in Tunisia.
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.