Sports
2014 AWC Qualifiers: NFF Invites Eight Foreign Players
The Nigeria Football Asso
ciation (NFA) has invited eight foreign-based players to beef up the national senior women’s team, Super Falcons ahead of the African Women Championship (AWC) qualifiers.
A statement by Super Falcons’ Media Officer, Gracious Akujobi, quoted the Team’s Administrator, Ruth David as saying that the players’ invitation letters had been sent to their clubs.
“The players are Perpetua Nkwocha and Helen Ukaonu both of Sunnana SK in Sweden, Francisca Ordega and Faith Ikidi both in Pitea IF also in Sweden and Desire Oparanozie in Atasehir Belediyespor in Turkey.
“Others are Sarah Micheal from KIF Orebro of Sweden, Onome Ebi of Minsk FC, Belarus, and Osinachi Ohale from Houston Dash United, U.S.
“All the players are expected to report to the Abuja camp of the Super Falcons on May 13 to enable them to have a minimum of five days training before picking a squad that will play Rwanda,” it said.
The Super Falcons have been in camp since March 30 in preparation for the AWC qualifying matches against Rwanda.
They will first visit the She-Amavubi of Rwanda for the first leg match of the qualifier in the weekend of May 23 and May 25.
The second leg match is scheduled for Nigeria between in the weekend of June 6 and June 8.
The statement quoted the team’s Head Coach, Edwin Okon as saying that all foreign-based players must report to camp early enough.
“This is to enable us to ascertain their fitness level and it is only players who are able to prove themselves that will face Rwanda,” the statement said.
The 2014 AWC is scheduled to hold in Namibia from October 11 to October 25.
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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