Sports
Ajagun, 20 Others To Defend CAF U-20 Title
The national Under-20 coach has submitted his list of players for the African Youth Championship which starts in Algeria on March 16
Nigeria Under-20 coach, John Obuh has picked a final list of 21 players to fly the country’s flag at the 2013 African Youth Championship holding in Algeria between 16th and 30th March. The Flying Eagles are the defending champions.
Obuh, who also led the team to triumph in South Africa two years ago, picked three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five strikers as the team intensified its final preparations in Tunis.
At the top of the list is skipper Abduljeleel Ajagun, who was part of the squad that lifted the trophy in South Africa on May 1, 2011. There are also Fifa U-17 World Cup silver medallists Mohammed Goyi Aliyu, Aigbe Oliha, Edafe Egbedi and Olanrewaju Kayode.
Nigeria play Mali, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo, in that order, in Group B of the 12th African Youth Championship. Host Algeria, Benin Republic, Ghana and Egypt clash in Group A.
The Flying Eagles will play all their group phase games in Oran, with their first match against Mali’s Junior Eagles coming up on March 17 and the clash with Gabon on March 20. Three days later, they trade tackles with the Democratic Republic of Congo, who eliminated Cameroon’s Lionceux to reach their first African Youth Championship finals.
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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