Sports
Fans Applaud Keshi’s Removal, Divided Over Amodu
Football fans in Enugu
have commended the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) over the removal of Super Eagles’ interim coach, Stephen Keshi.
The descion was taken last week in Abuja at the first Executive Committee meeting of the association under the newly elected board led by Amaju Pinnick.
The fans said that even though the decision was a bit late, the move was a step in the right direction as that could help to restore the fading glory of the Super Eagles.
A businessman, Promise Ugwu, said the NFA had actually met the yearnings of majority of fans in the country by their action.
Ugwu said the fortunes of the Eagles eventually took a turn for the worse..
A civil servant, Justine Chijioke, said the coach lacked the tactical bite to succeed as head coach of the senior national team.
“Keshi deserved to leave. Whatever the Eagles achieved under him was more of the individual brilliance of some players than his tactical competence,” he said.
Chijioke, however, said the choice of Amodu Shuaibu as interim coach was another wrong move by the association.
“We have tried Amodu again and again and he is not the right person for the team. The team only needs his advice and not as head coach.”
A student of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Maxwell Nnodi, said: “I am happy over the change of guard in the Eagles’ coaching crew.
“Our prayer is for the team to win their remaining matches so as to qualify for the 2015 AFCON,”
A fashion designer, Kenneth Nwachukwu, said that Shuaibu lacked the modern knowledge to steer the team to glory.
“Sacking Keshi is the right decision, but I don’t think Amodu has the tactical knowledge to handle the team.
“Let us give him a chance and see what he can do in the remaining matches”.
NAN reports that Keshi was relieved of his position as caretaker coach of the Eagles after the 2015 AFCON qualifying reverse match between Nigeria and Sudan, which the Eagles won, 3-1.
The Eagles were beaten in the first encounter 0-1 in Khartoum. The National team now has four points.
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
-
News17 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business7 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Nation19 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News17 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers7 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
Rivers7 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Rivers7 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH