Sports
Odemwingie Opts Out Of S’Eagles
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has said that West Bromwich Albion forward Peter Odemwingie has made himself unavailable for national selection.
Odemwingie last played for the Super Eagles in February in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Rwanda in June.
After a spell out injured he was invited to play against Liberia last month but declined, with the 31-year-old ruling himself out of international duty.
“I spoke to (Odemwingie) before the Liberia game and he told me that he had decided not to play for Nigeria anymore,” Keshi told newsmen.
“He told me that he has no problems with me as a person and that he took his decision even before I assumed position as national team coach.”
Odemwingie has a history of falling out with national team coaches.
He publicly criticised the tactics of Amodu Shuaibu after the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
Later, he blamed Swedish trainer Lars Lagerback for the country’s early defeat at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
He also had an infamous twitter spat with ex-national team coach Samson Siasia.
“He said he was unhappy at how he was treated in the past in the national team,” Keshi said.
“He explained that prior to Nigeria’s participation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he played in all the qualifying games but was dropped at the finals.
“He said he was angry at the treatment meted out to him but did not discuss it with anyone. I told him that was not the best way to handle issues and that if he had already decided not to play for the national team, he should have opened up to me when I invited him to play.”
According to Keshi, the West Brom forward, who has scored nine goals in 54 appearances for Nigeria, still has a future with the national team if he changes his mind.
“I told him that he has to give me the room to work with him; for us to work together and if he does not like the way I work and the atmosphere in the camp, then he can decide to stop playing,” Keshi said.
“Deciding that you don’t want to play for Nigeria because of what happened in the past is not the best.”
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.
-
News1 day agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business23 hours agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
Business22 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers22 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Nation1 day agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News1 day agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers22 hours agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Rivers22 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH