Sports

Enugu Rangers Focuses On CAF Champions League

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

Fresh from a successful campaign in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), which they won for a record-breaking ninth time, Enugu Rangers are now focused on doing better in the CAF Champions League than they did two years ago.

The team defeated Ikorodu City 2-1 in Lagos on Sunday to beat their closest rivals, Rivers United, to the crown by just one point.

Now done with the league campaign, Rangers, who are set to meet old foes, Rivers United, in the President’s Federation Cup round of 32 in Uyo on June 1, believe they have enough experience now to navigate the dangerous waters of the CAF Champions League.

Following the league win, an elated chairman of the club, Amobi Ezeaku, told The Guardian that the plan has always been to take Rangers back to the summit of African football.

He said: “This is a new era for our club after we announced our strategic plan in August 2023, when Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mba asked that I come back to become the general manager after my FIFA masters. We are on a different trajectory.

“We just want to continue to develop our strategic plan, sporting excellence, community social impact, and commercial development.

“We are majorly playing with young players, and we are consistent in the sense that Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu continues to stay with us to maintain that sustainable aspect of football.

“The win in 2024 catalysed into our minds that we can always win. So two trophies in three seasons means mentally the players will think, okay, we can go again, again and again, and that is how big institutions in football are built.”

Team captain, Chidiebere Nwobodo, echoes his manager’s sentiments, adding that the challenge is now to fortify the team for the CAF Champions League.

“We showed that we are the best team in Nigeria and deserve to win. Rangers are not a small team. Everybody, especially the easterners, looks up to us, and our duty is to continue to do well to please them.

“The Champions League is on another level, and we are going to prepare well for it. We will do our best to make Nigerians proud.”

On equaling Enyimba’s record of nine league titles, Nwobodo said that it was their mission from the onset. “Now that we have achieved it, we want to go further by making a mark on the continent.”

Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

23 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

PH To Host 2026 NWFL Super Six

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Women Football League has announced Port Harcourt as the host city for the 2026 Premiership Super Six, marking the first time the season-ending tournament will be held in Rivers State.

In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.

NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.

The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.

Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.

The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.

The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.

Sports

Khana, Akpajo All-Stars Set For Friendly Match ” Morrow”

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Khana All Stars FC in the Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, will tomorrow host Akpajo All Stars in a friendly football match at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, football pitch.

The return leg of the friendly game promises to be exciting and entertaining as both teams are prepared.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tidesports yesterday in Port Harcourt, the chairman of Khana All Stars FC, Saro Tap-le, said preparations for the game are in top gear.

According to him, they will use the match to honour and decorate their patron, the Chairman of Khana LGA, Dr. Bariere Thomas.

He said the encounter won’t be an easy one, knowing that Akpaoju All Stars are coming with full force to win the match.

“We played in Akpajo before, and they hosted us well, so tomorrow is our day to host them back. We are doing everything possible to give them a good fight. All arrangements for hosting them are in top gear.

“There is no cause for alarm. We are doing our best to host them in a big way. It is an All-Stars game, so winning is not the most important thing. What matters is the relationship we will create.

“You know, in the first encounter they defeated us 2-0, so tomorrow we will do our best to ensure we repay the scoreline.

“I think my teammates are training very hard for the game. Despite the fact that it’s not all about winning, we are going to surprise them,” Saro Tap-le stated.

Kiadum Edookor