Sports
Siasia Threatens To Quit …Apologises To L / Stars Coach
Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has been quoted as saying he will quit if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) insist on taking Nigeria’s 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia to Kaduna.
That game was originally scheduled to take place in Lagos, but a series of hiccups at last Wednesday’s international friendly against Sierra Leone prompted a rethink.
NFF Executive Committee member Christopher Green stated that the game would be played in Kaduna, forcing Siasia to say he would dig his heels in.
According to the former international, Kaduna had never been in his programme and nobody had ever discussed that with him.
“No one can push me around on that, it is either Abuja or nothing else,” Siasia is quoted as saying.
“I have never seen the Ahmadu Bello Stadium before and would never take my team to play there.”
Siasia appears to be upset that the issue was not discussed with him before being made public.
Meanwhile, Siasia has apologised to Sierra Leone Coach, Christian Cole over remarks he made at the post match conference after the Super Eagles 2-1 win last Wednesday.
Siasia had light-heartedly referred to Cole as a ‘comedian coach’, a remark that did not go down well with the visitors, and the former international says he was only joking the same way the Sierra Leonean was trading banters with newsmen.
“Truly I was only joking during the press conference. Christian Cole is an amiable and very interesting person. He made everybody happy at the interview session and we all enjoyed him. When he claimed that his team could beat Eagles on a neutral ground, I jokingly said what has now become media hype.
“I can never disrespect him at all. I was only trying to joke like he did. He was very funny during the chat with the press. I am very sorry if he took it that way.
“For him to lead his team to play against us in such a very short time speaks volumes of his love for our team and our country. Such person should be highly regarded not disrespected him.
“Once again, I am sorry if he took it that way,” Siasia said.
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.
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