Sports
Confed Cup: Abedi Takes Charge Of Nania
Triple African Footballer of the Year award winner Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew of Ghana turns coach this weekend when Nania compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.
It will be unchartered territory for Pele and his second division side when they host Sequence FC of Guinea in the first leg of a first round tie in the second-tier continental competition.
Nania defied the odds to win Ghana’s FA Cup last season, defeating Asante Kotoko 1-0 after extra time in the final after eliminating champions Berekum Chelsea at the penultimate stage.
“Winning the Cup was a great achievement,” said the African star of two decades ago, whose playing career included spells at Niort, Mulhouse, Marseille, Lille and Lyon in France, Torino in Italy and 1860 Munich in Germany.
“We have conquered Ghana so now let us try and conquer Africa. This is a fresh challenge for everyone at the club. Our task is to prepare physically, mentally and tactically.”
Sequence debuted in the competition last year and were not disgraced, forcing a 1-1 draw at two-time CAF titlists Africa Sports after a narrow home defeat.
Ghana dominated the first Confederation Cup, successor to the African Cup Winners Cup and CAF Cup competitions, with Hearts of Oak defeating bitter rivals Kotoko on penalties after both legs of the 2004 final were drawn.
But no club from the west African nation has come close to matching that feat while Guinean entrants have been equally unsuccessful in a Cup won by Moghreb Fes of Morocco last year.
Union Douala of Cameroon are the biggest ‘name’ among the 32 first round hopefuls having won the 1979 African Champions Cup and the Cup Winners Cup two years later.
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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