Sports
Football Enthusiasts Task Flying Eagles On Performance
Football enthusiasts have urged the Flying Eagles to improve their game to triumph at the ongoing U-20 African Youth Championship in Algeria.
Nigeria began its title defence of the 12th Orange CAF U-20 African Championship trophy with a 0-1 loss to Mali.
A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Alloy Agu, told Tidesports in Abuja that the Flying Eagles needed to improve their game if they hoped to make it into the next round.
“The boys didn’t play badly. It was a good game. However, they need to step up in the next two matches of their group B game if they intend to qualify for the next round,” he said.
Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the Nigeria Coaches Association, in his reaction said that all hope was not lost.
“If they can win their subsequent matches, they still have a chance of going through. However, this loss only makes our hopes for qualification very difficult,” Bamigboye said.
Some football fans who spoke to Tidesports in Abuja after the match expressed confidence in the ability of the team to bounce back.
A businessman, Ebere Umunna, said, “they must go back to the drawing board and analyse what went wrong in the game.
“The Flying Eagles must not give up. They must see this defeat as a challenge which will help to propel them to do better in their next match,” he said.
Femi Oyelade, a property developer, said: “it is a wake up call to the Flying Eagles. I am very confident that they will qualify from their group.
“All they need to do now is to put their acts together.”
However, Danjuma Danladi, a petty trader said: “ I don’t think they will qualify from the group stage. These lads don’t look focused.
“All they did was show off their dribbling skills in the game. You don’t possibly start in a tournament such as this with a loss and expect to go far,” he said.
Other teams in Group B are Senegal and Burkina Faso.
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.
-
News5 days agoDon Savours Inaugural Lecture Presentation, Commends VC
-
News16 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business6 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Nation18 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News16 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers5 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
News16 hours agoArmy Foils Cattle Rustling, Kills Terrorists In Benue …Rescues Two Kidnapped Bank Staff
-
Nation18 hours agoOgoni Mangrove Wetlands Gain International Recognition As Ramsar Site