Sports
Gov Diri Presents Jerseys To Prosperity Cup Teams
…….. Defending Champions Sqaures Up Against Medical University At Kick Off…..
……….Rewards Para Games Athletes.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has praised youths for their massive involvement in sporting activities, and also winning laurels for the state, noting that sports remain a variable tool for engaging and shaping youths into having blissful careers.
The Governor stated this while flagging off the distribution of football jerseys to the 206 participating teams at the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, and also announcing cash reward for the state’s contingent at the just concluded first ever National Para Games, where the state came tops with 93 medals.
Senator Diri who was amazed with the number of registered teams for the tournament, otherwise known as “The Prosperity Cup”, urged the players to be focused on tourney, and not be caught in any form of misconduct or violence throughout the competition.
Also presented were sets of hosts and balls to all participating teams.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, said the state currently has the largest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria, which was due to the revolution going on in the state.
He expressed the optimism that the current feat would be built upon to achieve better results.
“We currently have the largest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria. That attests to the revolution going on in Bayelsa State.
“Bayelsa is currently the home of sports in Nigeria. We have upstaged the bigger names. Hopefully, at the end of the year, we will show our true colours again,” Igali stated.
On his part, Director General, The Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, noted that the tournament has proven to be the country’s largest football competition, since it’s inception in 2015, and it’s gains are overwhelming.
He added that twenty centres across the eight council areas have been carefully selected to host this year’s edition at the preliminary stage, urging the host communities to ensure a hitch free exercise, so as to enjoy the best of grassroot football.
The DG also described the registration of Ohaneze FC, Oduduwa FC Northern FC and Niger Delta FC in the Tournament as an interesting development that it would help foster unity and peaceful coexistence in the state.
“This development would go a long way to strengthen inter-community relations not only amongst the indigenes but also amongst the other tribes living in Bayelsa” he added.
The curtain Raiser of the tournament would see defending champions, Okolobiri community of Yenagoa, begin their quest of retaining the trophy when they face first timers, Bayelsa Medical University, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, on Monday, May 2nd.
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) have been drawn against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.
Nurudeen Aweroro’s side will host the first leg at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne before travelling to Sfax for the return fixture.
The winner of the tie will face either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions in the second preliminary round.
Nigeria’s other representative, El-Kanemi Warriors, will begin their campaign against Guinea-Bissau’s União Desportiva Internacional (UDIB).
If the Maiduguri-based club progresses, it will face Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in the second preliminary round. Raja Casablanca are among the clubs exempted from the opening round of the competition.
The first-leg matches of the preliminary round are scheduled to take place between September 4 and 6, while the return fixtures will be played between September 11 and 13.
Both Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will be aiming to progress through the preliminary rounds and secure places in the group stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has expressed confidence that Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães would improve Arsenal if his reported move to the club is completed.
Reports have claimed that Arsenal are close to finalising a deal worth £75 million for the Newcastle United midfielder, with an official announcement expected after negotiations between the two clubs.
Reacting to the reported transfer, Shearer described Guimarães as a top-quality player capable of adding creativity and composure to Mikel Arteta’s side.
“Arsenal have signed a top player in Guimarães, there is no doubt about that. They have signed a player who is comfortable on the ball under pressure and can deliver a killer pass,” Shearer told Betfair.
The former England striker also praised the midfielder’s character and professionalism during his time at Newcastle.
“His attitude is also excellent, as we have seen at Newcastle United. So, there is no doubt he will improve the team,” he said.
Shearer added that a midfield comprising Guimarães, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard would be among the strongest in the Premier League.
“I think with Rice, Ødegaard and Guimarães, it is hard to find a better midfield combination,” he added.
Arsenal have yet to officially confirm the signing of Guimarães.
Nigerian champions Rangers International have been drawn against Benin Republic’s AS Sobemap in the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.
The Flying Antelopes will host the first leg before travelling for the return fixture.
If Rangers advance, they will face either Niger Republic’s ASN Nigelec or Algerian champions MC Alger in the second preliminary round for a place in the next stage of the competition.
Rivers United were also handed a difficult opening fixture after being drawn against Côte d’Ivoire’s San Pedro in the first preliminary round.
Finidi George’s side will take on either Uganda’s Vipers SC or Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou in the second preliminary round if they eliminate the Ivorian club.
The first-leg matches of the opening preliminary round are scheduled to be played between September 4 and 6, while the return fixtures will take place between September 11 and 13, 2026.
The second preliminary round will be played from October 16 to 18 for the first-leg matches, with the return legs scheduled for October 23 to 25, 2026.
Both Rangers and Rivers United will be aiming to progress through the preliminary rounds and secure places in the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
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