Sports
Rangers Target Victory Over Pillars In Enugu
Rangers International FC of Enugu players are confident of defeating Kano Pillars FC in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) today in Enugu.
Tidesports source reports that Rangers will battle Kano Pillars FC in the NPFL rescheduled Match Day 11.
Some of the players who spoke with Tidesports in Enugu yesterday said they were ever ready to send Kano Pillars home empty handed.
Rangers’ newly recruited Defender, Ifeanyi Nweke, said he was halted by the last match’s score line and that he would do all in his capacity to ensure that Kano Pillars fall.
“Considering our position in the league, every match is now a final for us and that is how we are going to handle the today’s match.
“We need this match more than our visitors because of our position on the log of the NPFL.
“The match against Akwa United was a match we expected to win and pocketed the three points but it had come and gone.
“All the players have moved on from the loss so that we can face tomorrow,” the defender said.
He called on the League Management Company to ensure that the league was not disrupted with unfair officiating.
“In our last match, the officiating was something else and it was not fair to the league.
“The ongoing league season is the best compared to the previous seasons and it will not be fair for some people to murder LMC’s efforts,” Nweke said.
He assured the team’s fans and club supporters of good display with victory, urging them to hold on to their support.
Another player, Ibrahim Olawoyin, said that all their attention was on Kano Pillars and expected to be victorious.
“This is a rescheduled match that we need to pick the three points and we are ready to do that.
“We the players are not under any pressure because we already know the fixture from the beginning of the league.
“Kano Pillars are beatable and the coaches has done their job by putting us through the tactics that can give us a win,” he said.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
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