Sports
Confed Cup: We’ll Adapt To Aba Stadium – Allen
Rivers United captain, Festus Allen, says the team is ready to do what it takes to qualify for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup including adapting to the Enyimba Stadium in Aba which will serve as venue for their home match against Egypt’s Al Masry, later this month.
The Confederation of African Football rejected the use of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for their home game on November 28 as it stated that the condition of the stadium was not suitable to host the continental inter-club match.
The Pride of Rivers will, however, travel 57.8 kilometres to play their home game at Enyimba’s home ground in Aba, a situation that will see them play without the might of the fans behind them.
Austin stated that although they would have loved to execute the game in Port Harcourt, they have no choice but to mentally adapt to the pitch.
“Psychologically, it’s going to be a disadvantage but as players, we know how important the game is to us and the people of Rivers State so we just have to adjust our mind, believing we can play anywhere,” Austin said.
“We’ll play in Aba and in Egypt like it’s our home. We will go out with that mindset and we believe that we’ll get it right.
“When you have the full complement of your fans, it’s a plus and it goes a long way in boosting the team’s morale. We just have to adjust to the fact that we won’t have all our fans there and still give over 100 percent,” Austin said.
The second leg of the encounter comes up on December 5 at the Al Masry Club Stadium, the team with the win or superior goals advantage progresses to the group stage of the competition.
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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