Sports
2014 AWC: Falcons Victory Excites Fans
Football fans in Ebonyi
have urged football authorities in the country to use Saturday’s Super Falcons’ African Women football Championship (AWC) victory to evolve lasting peace to the Nigerian Football Association (NFA).
The Falcons defeated Cameroun’s Les Lionnes 2- 0 in the final of the 9th edition of the competition played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windoek, Namibia.
The victory, which was Nigeria’s seventh in the championship, has qualified the team for the FIFA Women World Cup in Canada in 2015.
Nigeria, Cameroun and Cote d’Ivoire, which placed third after defeating their South African opponents in the third-place match, will represent Africa at the world cup.
Some of the fans who spoke with Tidsports source on Sunday in Abakaliki called on all interests in the NFA crisis to use the victory of the female team to come together and move the nation’s football forward.
Former Commissioner for Sports in the state, Chief Nicodemus Omenka, while congratulating the players for the victory, said that women in particular, had always brought honour to Nigeria in sports.
“The Falconets nearly won the last FIFA U-20 World Cup and that was at the height of the NFA crisis.
“The Falcons have replicated that effort by winning the AWC at a time a High Court judgment dashed all hopes of truce in the NFA crisis by sacking the Pinick Amaju-led new board,” he said.
He, however, said that the team’s victory would provide the “tonic” for the resolution of the crisis “so that football in the country will have a focus.”
A retired permanent secretary in the state, Mrs Judith Okoh, attributed the falcons’ victory at the tournament, to the “seamless team-selection” by Coach Edwin Okon.
According to her, the coach displayed a high level of technical competence by effectively merging youth with experience in making the team’s selection.
“This covered the lapses of late preparation by the team as the players blended well with established players, including old war-horse, Perpetua Nkwocha,” she said.
On his part, Bredan Nwankwo, the coach of Galaxy Football Club of Abakaliki, appealed to Mr Chris Giwa to withdraw all suits against the incumbent NFA leadership “for the good of Nigeria’s football.”
“I appeal to him and members of his faction to consider the future of Nigerian football by withdrawing the suit to allow us to savour the falcons’ victory.
“I urge relevant stakeholders such as President of the Senate, David Mark, to intervene in the crisis and ensure that Giwa and his men were adequately pacified,” he said.
Another fan, Mrs Gloria Asokuh, a civil servant, urged all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to address the NFA issue before it festered further.
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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