Sports
CAF Confed Cup: Rivers United Tackles Celtic, Today
Rivers United players and officials will today in South Africa tackle Celtic Bloemfontein in the first leg match of the first round stage of the 2020/21 CAF Confederation Cup.
The Pride of Rivers, as United is fondly called will take to the pitch, knowing that a victory will take them within touching distance of the next round of the competition and a sum of N2,000,000.00 windfall. The largesse is a promise made to the club by business magnate, politician and philanthropist, Bro Felix Obua. The Philanthropist, also known as Go Round promised to dole out N2,000,000 FOR A win, N1,000,000 for a draw and N200,000 for each goal scored by the team in the game.
Thus, Rivers United and their handlers have their work cut out as they go against their host in the encounter.
For the coach Stanly Eguma tutored United the stakes are high enough with good motivation to go the extra mile. However, United must be at their best at the Dr Petrus Molema Stadium to take something away from the venue following the Bloemfontein Celtic good home record in recent times.
Eguma is expected to have a full squad available, provided that the COVID-19 test conducted on the team yesterday returned no positive result.
It is expected that the game would be a tight affair owing to the current good form of both teams and the fact that they both needed the lottery of spotkicks to edge out their respective opponents in the last round.
Though the South Africa side seems to be a ball playing team with little hesitation to impose their kind of game on opponents.
Rivers United has raised their game and possesses the force to neutralize Celtic and probably surprise them in their own backyard.
Keeper Theopholus Afelokhai should be available to man the post, while Godwin Aguda leads the list of performers in fine form to continue their run in Rivers United’s first team.
The game is expected to kick off at 5pm Nigerian time.
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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