Sports
AFCON Qualifiers: Keshi Back To Eagles Temporarily
Stephen Keshi will return as Nigeria coach for next month’s Nations Cup qualifiers, only days after appearing to rule himself out of the job.
Keshi’s contract expired on 30 June and he said last week he had given up on negotiations over a new deal.
But he has now “temporarily abandoned” his decision to walk away.
“I want to respect the wishes of Nigerians and the appeal by the Sports Minister to handle the team at least for the two games,” he said.
“The need to answer the patriotic call and respect the wishes of Nigerians informed my coming for the key games.
“I’m going to see out these two games and we’ll hopefully then sit down and talk about a new contract”
“We worked so hard to win the Nations Cup in South Africa, I think we should do all that we can to defend it in Morocco next year,” he added on Monday.
Talks over a new contract have been ongoing since July but have been held up by problems within the federation, including the sacking and the FIFA-ordered reinstatement of the governing body’s president Aminu Maigari.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is understood to have offered Keshi a new four-year deal and the same N5 million-a-month salary he was paid in his first stint as manager, while the coach has asked for an increase.
With the NFF board divided (two rival factions locked in a bitter leadership row), Keshi says negotiations over a new deal will have to wait until after the game against Congo on 6 September and South Africa four days later.
“They want me to carry on but nothing has been finalised, but officials, fans and the players want me to stay.”
He added: “I’m going to see out these two games and we’ll hopefully then sit down and talk about a new contract, if everything can be agreed.
Despite a bitter leadership crisis currently rocking the country’s football authority, Nigeria has already named a 23-man squad for their upcoming qualifiers.
The defending champions will also face Sudan in Group A with the top two advancing to January’s finals in Morocco.
Enyimba’s Mfon Udoh scored against Taraba United on Sunday to steer the people’s Elephant to third spot on the log.
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.