Sports
United In League Title Race – Coach Eguma
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.
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.