Sports
Enyimba Vows To Secure Victory, Today
After a first leg 1-1 draw against Bidvest Wits in Milpark Stadium Johanessburg, Nigerian giants Enyimba are on the cusp of a group stage place in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Diane Klate scored early to give Bidvest a surprise lead but Ibrahim Mustapha was on hand to stun the PSL champions minutes later, leaving the tie delicately balanced for the return leg on Wednesday in Calabar.
With victory needed to secure a last eight berth, club boss Felix Anyansi Agwu has demanded for a front-foot, hard-working and determined team. Citing famous turnarounds in European club football recently, he cautioned against complacency and a lack of desire as a result of the first leg draw.
“We cannot go into this game with our mind on the 1-1 result of the first leg, no. We must go into it ready to give everything, with no thought of the first leg. We must go in to win and win convincingly so we go into the group stage unbeaten.”
“This is a turning point in our season, we must decide whether to emerge as group stage players or the team that crashed out at home. In modern football, teams are no longer worried about results from the first leg because they know they can turn a tie around in the second leg, so we must not give in to over-confidence or errors or fear. We must rise to the moment and earn the victory we deserve, the victory Nigeria deserves.”
“We must be united in our belief, we must be united in our desire. We have the great support of our Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and he has demanded that the gates be thrown open on Wednesday, in appreciation of the good people of Cross River State and to encourage you, so the fans can turn out in large numbers to cheer you”, he declared.
“So on Wednesday you have to play with pride for the club, with pride for Nigeria and with pride for yourselves. We have a chance to rise to the next level and we must seize the opportunity. Ultimate victory is the objective in this competition and we must be ready to fight and achieve our dreams,” he concluded.
Anyansi Agwu further commended the efforts of the technical crew and reiterated his belief in their work.
Wednesday’s game is at 4 pm inside the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
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.