Sports
Rivers Angels Charged To Conquer Africa
Rivers Angels Football Club of Port Harcourt, now christened Rivers Angels International FC has been charged to go and not only pick a ticket for the maiden edition of CAF Women’s Champions League proper in the imminent qualifying series in Cote D’Ivoire, but go all the way to the title in the main event in Egypt. Players of the team were assured that victory in the continental championship would not only be glorious to Rivers state and Nigeria, but an opportunity to change their lives through the magnanimity of their number one supporter and sports loving Governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike.
All these unfolded at the sent- forth ceremony of the team to the Champions League qualifiers organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Sports last Wednesday before they jetted out to Abidjan.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour and state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor told the team that their movement to fly the flag of the state and country at the championship is historic and an opportunity to taste the large heartedness of Governor Wike, once they return with laurels. “You have a sports loving Governor that would change your lives if you win. Please do not disappoint the state, do not disappoint the Governor, do not disappoint the Ministry of Sports that have worked very hard for you”, he charged the team.
He went ahead to promise the team, on behalf of PDP, the sum of one million naira for each goal scored in Abidjan and the chances of becoming landladies if they win the title.
Earlier, the Sports Commissioner, Hon Boma Iyaye, while admonishing the team said that the ceremony was organised to make the team realize that it is carrying the banner of millions of Rivers people and Nigerians. He stated that all that the team needed to excel at the tournament had been provided by the sports loving governor, thus, Iyaye declared that there would be no excuse for failure. “The only thing you can do now to reciprocate the gesture of the state is to qualify in Abidjan and win in Egypt. We want to conquer Africa, you are not going to Cote d’Ivoire for jamboree, you are going for serious business. There would be nothing like second best, we’re the best and would continue to keep the standard. Go to Abidjan, qualify, then go to Egypt and conquer Africa”, Iyaye charged the team
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Real Madrid Academy and Chairman, Rivers State Football Association, Barr. Christopher Green urged the team to go to the tourney to hustle, demonstrate desire to work as a team in order to achieve victory. He restated that the competition is one opportunity made by God for the players to change their lives for good.
The Permanent Secretary, ministry of Sports, Sir Honour Sirawoo on his part noted that the Angels, serial winners in the domestic scene are the first women’s team to represent Nigeria on the continent, which is a testimony to the passion and commitment being demonstrated by Governor Wike in all spheres of life in the state, particularly, sports.
He described Rivers Angels as one of the State’s projects, where the governor, Mr Projects has shown commendable commitment and expressed hope that as the team was being sent-forth uniquely, they would be celebrated on return.
General Manager of the team, Mrs Matilda Otuene-Onyiloha was effusive in her appreciation of the welfare package arranged for them and promised that they would not disappoint.
Rivers Angels qualified for the maiden Africa Women’s champions League appearance after winning the Super-Six Play-off of the league. They will play their first game in Abidjan tomorrow against Hasaacas of Ghana.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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