Sports
Nigeria Continues Slide On FIFA Ranking
Nigeria has continued its slide on the world football rankings, dropping from 57th position in March to 60th, while Cote D’Ivoire maintains its 15th position on the latest FIFA ranking released last week.
Consequently, Cote D’Ivoire retained its first position on the African continent with Ghana, Algeria and Mali also maintaining their second, third and fourth positions respectively.
However, Ghana which occupied the 23rd position in the March rankings, moved forward by one step to the 22nd place, while Algeria which occupied the 35th position in March, slid to 38.
Mali, another West African country, which was placed 42nd last month moved up to the 39th to displace Zambia that held the 41st position but now ranked 40.
Gabon also retained the fifth position on the African continent and moved up the FIFA ranking from the 43rd position to the 42nd place.
Libya, Egypt and Tunisia are also ahead of Nigeria on the latest ranking, occupying the 46th, 55th and 57th position respectively.
Cameroon and South Africa, two other prominent football nations, are ranked 64 and 71.
Spain retained its first position but Netherlands, which placed second in March, dropped to the fourth position, while Germany and Uruguay moved up to the second and third positions.
Portugal, Brazil and England now hold the fifth, sixth and seventh positions respectively.
Nigeria’s best ranking was in April 1994 when the Eagles were fifth in the world.
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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