Sports
Bafana ’ll Be Under Pressure – Carteron
Mali’s Head Coach, Patrice Carteron, has said that the hosts South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will be under pressure when both sides meet at the quarter-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mali qualified for the stage as Group B runners up and will play the Bafana Bafana tomorrow in Durban.
Carteron told a newsmen that the Eagles of Mali would be at their best, stressing Bafana Bafana fans could be out to vent their frustrations, if the team’s game plans fail to materialise.
“We will be at our best but South Africa will be the team that everybody sees in the semi-finals, and so all the pressure will be on them.
“The stadium will be filled with people expecting Bafana Bafana to win and we could put more pressure on them if things do not go according to their plans,’’ he said.
The coach said that the Eagles would not be distracted by the massive support by the home fans in the 57, 000-capacity stadium in Durban.
According to Carteron, our focus will be to bring joy to the people of Mali who were presently facing a turbulent political era.
“We are not thinking about distractions from our fans, instead, we will be thinking about the 15-million Malians who will be watching the game.
“The whole team has spoken about what is going on in Mali and the players are determined to give them more joy and good news,” Carteron said.
The coach added that he was not concerned that his side was already playing their fourth important game in less than two weeks.
Mali has been ravaged by a civil strife at which a multilateral international force led by France has presently been rallied to flush out militants that had been out to illegally seize control of political power in the country
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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