Sports

United In League Title Race – Coach Eguma

Published

9 years ago

July 20, 2016

Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has said that his team is in strong contention for the Nigeria League championship after they beat Shooting Stars 2-0 at home at the weekend.
Rivers United moves to second on the table with 44 points, two points behind leaders Enugu Rangers, after Wikki Tourists could only draw 1-1 at Niger Tornadoas.
“We have a very good chance of winning the league,” declared Eguma, who led Dolphins to win the league five years ago.
“We won’t give up until the league is over.”
Rivers United enhanced their championship chances on Sunday after a comfortable home win against Shooting Stars.
“Our first-half goals boosted our confidence, but in the second half, 3SC upped their game,” said Eguma.
“The league is at the home stretch and it is now more difficult to win whether at home or away.
“We will keep working hard to get it right.”
United faces a tricky road trip to Sunshine on Sunday.Governor Wike Splashes Cash On Rivers United
The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (CON) on Sunday matched words with action as he watched Rivers United in a competitive game for the first time.
Governor Wike was present at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt as Rivers United beat Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) 2-0 in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game.
United has impressed this season and are still in the running for glory in both the NPFL and the Federation Cup.
As part of plans to adequately motivate the club, the Governor outlined several incentives which should spur players and officials of the club as the season enters the home strait.
The Governor splashed the sum of seven million naira (N7 million) on the football club for the win over 3SC in Port Harcourt on Sunday with a further three point five million naira (N3.5 million) set as the financial carrot each time the football club earns a draw away from home in the NPFL this season.
For an away win in any of their remaining matches in this season’s NPFL, the sum of seven million naira (N7 million) has been earmarked as financial incentive.
The Rivers State Chief Executive also promised the sum of fifty thousand US dollars ($50,000 USD) if the team defeats either Julius Atete FC or Enyimba International FC in the quarter final of this year’s Federation Cup.
The Governor also revealed that a ‘special package’ awaits the football club if they reach the last four of the oldest football competition.
Rivers United is currently in second place on the NPFL standings with 44 points from 26 games, two points adrift of the leaders, Enugu Rangers.

Sports

CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance

Published

10 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players will grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.

Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.

“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.

“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.

He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.

” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.

Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.

“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.

The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.

“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.

Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship

Published

10 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.

Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.

Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”

Sports

FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway

Published

10 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.

Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.

Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.

Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.