Sports
Adebayor Hits Back At Penalty Critics
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor has hit back at the critics who lambasted him for his poor penalty which cost Tottenham a place in the Europa League last week.
Tottenham crashed out of the competition on penalties in Basle after the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate after extra-time.
The Togolese took a strange, slow, stuttering run up and then cleared Basle keeper Yann Sommer’s goal by a foot, before Marco Diaz went on to score to secure an easy 4-1 shootout win
Adebayor’s miss drew derision from all quarters, with fans and former players criticising the 29-year-old’s spot-kick.
Adebayor, who scored four penalties for Spurs last season, has come out in defence of himself, blaming his missed attempt partly on fatigue and the boggy sodden pitch in north-west Switzerland.
“It’s tough,” the Tottenham striker said.
“You run around for 120 minutes, you give everything you have in your stomach, you are tired, you play with 10 men for 30 minutes and at the end of the day you have to take a penalty.
“The pressure is there when you take the ball. It’s not the reason why we missed. We had to score, but it’s not easy for us.
“I have taken penalties for Arsenal and Real Madrid. It’s a gamble. You miss or you score. I missed against Basle. I am very disappointed, but that’s football. You just have to keep focused and keep going.”
With six season-defining games to come, Adebayor knows he and his team-mates must quickly forget about their Europa League disappointment.
“I’m very disappointed,” he said.
“Now we’ve got time off. We’ll go home, see our families and forget about what happened and think about the next game.”
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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