Sports
NFA Chides Oliseh Over Stand On Keshi
The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday said it was disappointed by recent comments by former Super Eagles’ captain, Sunday Oliseh, over the interview process that produced Stephen Keshi as new Head Coach of the senior national team, insisting that the comments were unfortunate.
“Oliseh’s coaching pedigree and assumed capabilities have not been demonstrated; they exist largely in the media. He has to demonstrate those assumed qualities at appropriate levels. As far as we are concerned, he did not react like a true sportsman,” said Barrister Chris Green, chairman of the NFF Technical Sub-Committee.
Green further said “you would expect someone like him, whom we suppose has a sense of maturity and decency, to simply congratulate his former captain, Mr. Keshi and gracefully accept the decision of the NFF, which has been hailed by the vast majority. Instead, he is saying the wrong things and trying to run the NFF down.
“How can Oliseh imagine that he will favourably compete with Keshi in an interview for senior team coaching position? How can anyone reasonably compare someone who has qualified a team to the FIFA World Cup finals and coached two different teams at the African Cup of Nations, at senior level, to someone who has only been dealing with junior ones and pupils?
“The NFF is proud to have appointed Keshi and we know he has capacity to take our football to the very top. Oliseh should work harder in the years ahead to earn some stripes in order to qualify to be considered for senior team coaching”, said Green.
Green also wants Oliseh to be definite and resolved about the role he wishes to play in Nigeria football.
“At first, he contested the position of Head Coach of Super Eagles with Keshi and Siasia, and lost. Siasia got the job based on his achievements with the junior and intermediate teams. Oliseh has nothing like that to show or to stand him in good stead. Months later, he wanted to be Technical Director. After the Eagles failed to qualify for the Cup of Nations and it was apparent Siasia would be asked to go, Oliseh suddenly reverted to wanting to be Head Coach.
“This should not be so. He should first sort out this confusion before trying to condemn others.
“The NFF Technical Sub-Committee is made up of eminent Nigerians, with several former captains of the Super Eagles and other highly qualified coaches and technical persons. At every point in time, we know what we are doing. No one can pull wool over our eyes,” stated Green.
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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