Sports
We’re Under Pressure To Perform – Rivers United’s Coach
Rivers United FC’s Chief Coach, Willie Udube, says the team is now under pressure to improve its performance after they battled to a 1-1 draw with Akwa United last Wednesday.
The coach told newsmen after the encounter that the draw at home had put more pressure on them to win their away match against Rangers International of Enugu on Sunday.
“If I say that we are not under pressure, I’m lying because even this game, we planned to win and get the maximum points but unfortunately it didn’t work.
“We are not expecting a draw at home at this critical point in the league,’’ he said.
The chief coach, however, said that all hope was not lost because they could still go away and get the maximum points.
“I think if we put our acts together, we can get positive results in our remaining games,’’ he said.
He assured their fans that the club would not go on relegation and pleaded with them to be patient.
Akwa United Assistant Coach, Aliyu Waziri, while reacting to the game, said that the draw in Port Harcourt was painful because they were supposed to win convincingly.
“We had many chances that we missed, including a penalty kick. This is a match that we ought to have won because winning the game wouldn’t have been too much.
“You saw the game, perhaps, for picking a point, I will appreciate it that we didn’t lose, but the draw does not call for congratulation,’’ he said. Waziri further said, the team was still hopeful of catching up with the league leaders, Plateau United FC of Jos because the opportunities were available.
“If we had won this match, we would have reduced the points difference to 2, so, they have yet to escape because anything can happen,’’ he said.
It would be recalled that Musa Newman scored for the visiting team in the 11th minute, while Emeka Ogbugh equalised for the hosts in the 14th minute.
Alhassan Ibrahim missed a penalty kick against the home side in the 21st minute.
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.
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