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Rivers Utd Happy With Victory, Rangers Blame Poor Preparation

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Rivers United’ captain has expressed satisfaction with their 2-0 advantage over the Rwandans ahead of the return leg.
Austin Festus has stated that Rivers United are satisfied with their 2-0 home win over Rayon Sports in the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup playoff  tie in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
He said there won’t be a repeat of the last months collapse in Omdurman against Al Merreikh as they hope to put up a good display in Kigali which will earn them a place in the group stage.
“We are happy with the 2-0 advantage and we are sure there won’t a repeat of what happened in Sudan,’’ Festus told newsmen.
We have learnt our lessons from what transpired there and have put it behind us. They (Rayon Sports) came all out to neutralize our tactics but we proved to be superior and I do not see them beating us in the return leg.’’
Meanwhile, Christain Madu has said that Enugu Rangers are currently paying the price for poor preparations before the commencement of their continental assignment this year.
After 32 years the Flying Antelopes won their first Nigeria Professional Football League silverware in the 2015/16 season, but have been a shadow of themselves in the following season.
They crashed out of the Caf Champions League and the Confederation Cup both at the preliminary stages, and the midfielder says the management’s failure to streghten the squad remains their major undoing.
“We are affected by our lack of preparation from day we were crowned champions last season,”Madu told newsmen.
“We have nothing more to fight for other than redeeming our image in the Nigerian league and fight our way out of our current position on the table.
“And everyone will have to do their part to make sure we are out of this position we are right now.
“It is a difficult situation for us but with God we will overcome this period because no condition is permanent.”
He further stated that he is receiving offers from so many clubs but intends to see out his contract with the Enugu outfit.
“I have so many clubs looking for my signature but I want to see out my contract with Rangers before deciding what my next step will be, but right now, I remain a Flying Antelope.”

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European Giants Circle For Osimhen

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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

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Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push

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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.

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W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener

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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.

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