Sports
Fans Task Falconets On World Cup Qualifiers
Nigerians on Tuesday charged the national U-20 female team, the Falconets to prove their mettle at the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers this weekend.
The Falconets qualified for the second round of the qualifiers following the withdrawal of Sierra Leone from the competition and would now host Zimbabwe in the first leg in Abeokuta.
The World Cup will hold in Japan from August 18 to September 8.
The fans said in Lagos that the team should not underrate the Zimbabweans as smaller nations were the ones dominating football now.
Former Super Falcons player, Gift Showemimo, said the Falconets should prove that without the withdrawal of the Sierra Leoneans, they could defeat any team to reach the World Cup.
She said the 29 girls called to camp in Abuja should always adhere to the advice of their coach, reminding them that Nigerians were looking up to them.
The Coordinator, Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL), Danlami Alanana, commended the list of the players submitted by Coach Edwin Okon, saying it showed there was hope for the league.
Alanana said the girls should not let the country down at the qualifier because “if we miss this qualifier, it will undermine the home-based players,’’ he said.
He said they should not see Zimbabwe as a novice in football, noting also that that the so called inexperienced football countries were surprising the experienced ones.
“We can see what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations, countries we least expected showed up at the tournament and defeated stronger nations. Zambia even won the Cup, so what are we saying?
“Our girls should learn from this and not underestimate any team, we should play like we are already at the FIFA World Cup,’’ he said.
The match will hold at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
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.