Sports
Rivers Angels Grab Fourth FA Cup Title …As Enyimba FC Beats Dolphins
Edwin Okon’s ladies won
the women federation title for the fourth time in a row after dismissing Kayode Olujohungbe’s side in the final
Rivers Angel silenced Sunshine Queens 2-0 to lift the 2014 Nigeria Women Federation Cup final played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday.
Second half strikes from Asisat Oshoala and Stella Mbachu were all the Port Harcourt based outfit that stuffed their starting line up with about 95 percent of Super Falcons players needed to breeze past their opponents from Akure.
Angels began the game on a bright note but had their chances thwarted by outstanding Sunshine Queens goalkeeper, Funke Okewole. Oshoala, Aminat Yaakubu and Stella Mbachu took their turns to miss goal scoring opportunities as they couldn’t get past Okewole.
Edwin Okon’s ladies dominated the first twenty minutes of the encounter before Sunshine Queens made their first attacking move through Oyewusi Shola but her efforts was an easy catch for goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte.
Aminat failed to get the curtain raiser for her side as her shot hit the woodwork following a well tailored cross from Oshoala. Six minutes later, Okewole rescued her side from going a goal down as she was forced to make a brilliant off Stella Mbachu’s blinder.
In the 38th minute, Aminat was the culprit again as she could not convert a one on one chance against Sunshine Queens shot stopper.
On resumption of the second half, River Queens continued to mount pressure on the opponents and were rewarded accordingly in the 66th minute courtesy Oshoala’s strike.
The 2014 African Women Championship most valuable player converted a rebound off goalkeeper Okewole’s save to give her side the lead.
Stella Mbachu’s cool finish in the 86th minute sealed victory for Edwin Okon’s team as they cruised to their fourth title win in a row.
Meanwhile, the Enyimba football club of Aba, Abia State defeated Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt 2-1 to lift the 2014 Nigeria Men federation Cup final yesterday.
The match was played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium before a capacity craivd. The first half of the game ended zero score live on both sides.
On resumption, Enyimba player Mfon Udoh scored the first goal of the game for his side. The second goal came in the 73 minutes of the match while Dolphin’s Emen Eduok scored the only goal for his team at 80th minutes of the game.
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.