Sports
S’Africa’s Modise Aims For Olympic Shocks
South Africa striker, Portia Modise has said that her team could cause some shocks at this month’s Olympic games in London.
Banyana Banyana held six-time African champions Nigeria to a goalless draw in Lagos recently.
The result comes a week after their 2-1 win over Zambia to ensure they qualified for the African Women’s Championship later this year.
“We can surprise people because we’ve been having good training camps and the team is coming together,” she said.
“I think we can go out there and make our mark.”
The South Africans begin their first-ever Olympic campaign against Sweden on 25 July, two days before the Games opening ceremony.
They take on Canada three days later and finish with a game against Japan on 31 July.
Modise, who has scored a remarkable 71 goals in 92 appearances, says the team realise the whole continent is watching them in London.
“There’s too much pressure, it’s not going to be easy,” she told Tidesport source.
“We’re looking forward to going there and doing our best and represent the whole African continent not only South Africa and make the whole of Africa proud.
South Africa also held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in Rustenberg three weeks ago.
Banyana Banyana will continue their preparations for the Olympics with a training camp in Germany from tomorrow to 14 July.
Cameroon will be Africa’s other representatives in women’s tournament and they will play Brazil, hosts Great Britain and New Zealand in Group E
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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