Sports
NPFL: Finidi Assures Of Better Performance
Enyimba coach, George Finidi, has promised that the eight-time winners of the Nigeria Professional Football League will perform better than they did last season, Tidesports source reports.
Enyimba finished the 2021/22 season in seventh position on 52 points from 38 matches in Finidi’s first season in charge of the team and the Super Eagles assistant coach blamed his side’s abysmal show last season to inconsistency.
“Enyimba will be better than last season,” Finidi told Tidesports source.
“While I can’t say where we will end up, I can assure you it will be far better than last season.
“This club is one of the biggest in Africa and the biggest and best in Nigeria and cannot afford not to play in the continent for too long. Enyimba will bounce back next season and be stronger too.
“We played some good football last season but inconsistency in games was our bane. We, at times, went on a winning run of matches that gave the impression that the title was ours to grab, but all of a sudden, we slumped with some bad results both at home and away.
“Our form was on and off throughout the season and for a team like Enyimba, that is not acceptable. We pushed to at least get one of the tickets to play in the continent but in the end, it didn’t come to fruition.
“We shall give it our best and see how it goes, but we the officials, players, management and fans are disappointed and we shall try to mend things next season.”
Finidi also described his first season as a coach in the NPFL as bad, saying he didn’t achieve his objectives.
“My first season is an experience for me, I thank the management for the opportunity. I must say it was a bad season for me because we did not achieve our objectives.
“It was not a completely failed project because we played good football but could not put the ball in the net. My second season will hopefully be better.”
Enyimba will hope to win NPFL title for a ninth time, having last lifted it in 2019.
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.”