Sports
Cape Verde Targets Good Outing In S’ Africa
Minnows Cape Verde Islands beat Cameroon to reach the Africa Cup of Nations, and are the highest-ranked team in Group A, above South Africa, Morocco and Angola.
The island nation are ranked 15th in Africa, while Morocco are 17, Angola 21, and Bafana Bafana 23.
The Cape Verdians beat Cameroon 2-0 at home and lost 2-1 away to make it to the tournament in South Africa.
They then managed a respectible 1-0 loss to Ghana and a 0-0 draw with Nigeria in Afcon warm-up matches, indicating that they will not be the pushover many pundits believe.
This all from a nation with a population of 500,000, about a third the size of Soweto.
Blue Sharks coach, Luis Antunes, who is on long leave from his job as an air traffic controller, says: “I still do not know how we beat Cameroon. It was a dream come true as we have been trying to make the Cup of Nations finals for a long time.”
Cape Verde narrowly missed out on the 2012 tournament in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea, coming second in Group A of qualifying. Equal on points with Mali, they lost out on head to head results (just like South Africa).
“We are going to work hard and do our best in the competition. Playing in our first Africa Cup and playing in the first match is good for the players, the coaches and the country,” Antunes says.
“All the pressure will be on South Africa in the opening match. We are coming to play good football and if we make the knock-out phase, it will be another remarkable achievement.”
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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