Sports
Rivers United Vow To Sink Al-Merreikh, On Sunday
On Sunday, precisely Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State, will become the centre of attraction for football followers and fans in Nigeria, as Rivers State United FC, of Port Harcourt will play host to Al-Merreikh of Sudan.
The encounter which is expected to kickoff by 4.00pm Nigeria time will be the first leg in the second round of CAF Champions League.
Apparently, anxieties and expectations would be high in the minds of the players and supporters of both clubs.
At home Rivers United nick named “The Pride of Rivers State are first timers in the Champions League competition, but vowed to make a statement following the cream of quality players they have like, captain of the club Festus Austine Guy Kuemain, Esosa Igbinola, Rotimi Sunday, Lukman Mohammed etc.
Apart from the pre-season training in Spain and champions of Nigeria Super Four League would stand at concrete advantage, in terms of experience and exposure.
The host current winning mentality, most significantly the last wins against AS Bamako of Mali and the reigning champions of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Rangers of Enugu, last Sunday will be another morale boaster.
Captain of Rivers United, Festus Austine, expressed confidence that his team will definitely carry the day.
According to him, his players are focused and determined to make name for themselves and as well not to fail the country.
“We realised that we are carrying, the country’s banner that is why we will be more focused and committed to ensure that we did not fail the country.
“We are going to take the match as a special game, because a win is a step to the next round.” Austine said.
The captain explained that the game will not be an easy one because they are meeting an experienced side who has been in the Champions League severally.
“Our technical manager, Stanley Eguma is working hard to correct the area of converting chances. We know that the match will not be easy, but we must surely be going to be victorious”, he stated.
The first choice goal keeper of United, Rotimi Sunday also expressed optimism that his team will take the maximum three points.
According to him, the spirit of the players is high in the camp, besides they are mentally and physically fit to execute the game.
“We are ready for the game and hopeful to win, because our last win against League Champions Rangers, is an indication that we are in form. Our intention is not only to win, but to score more goals to have an advantage ” Sunday said.
The Tidesports source revealed that Al-Merreikh are also prepared in all ramifications to run away with at least a point in Nigeria, knowning fully well that they are going to play with greenhorns.
No doubt, the visitors are quite experienced in CAF Champions League because they have been there several times, apart from that most of the players, are also well exposed and have good technical knowledge of football.
According to the source, the Al-Merreikh players have good ball control and do not take chances at goal mouth.
But my prayers is that let the officiating be fair and allow the best to win.
Tonye Orabere
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.
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