Sports
AAG Qualifier: Siasia Optimistic Of Beating Gabon
The Head Coach of
Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia on Wednesday said he was optimistic that his team would defeat Gabon in their 11th All-Africa Games (AAG) qualifier in Libreville.
The national under-23 men’s football team will on Saturday face their Gabonese counterparts in the first leg game.
Siasia told newsmen in Abuja that his team was well prepared for the game.
“We are prepared to meet Gabon. I’ve worked hard on the players and I believe they will make us proud.
“All we want for the game is a win or at least get a draw. That is what matters most to me,’’ he said.
Siasia had on Tuesday released the list of 21 players to travel to Libreville for the match.
Siasia said he picked only those players he was sure of.
“Some players were dropped because I have not seen them perform in a competitive game, and I can only vouch for the players on the list.
“I’ve not seen players like Gero Abdullahi perform on the field and players like Aminu Umar and Freedom Omofonma came late to camp and so I could not take a gamble with them.
“But I can vouch for a player like Peter Onyekachi because I believe in his performance,” he said.
Siasia however noted that there was still a little work to be done in the defensive department of the team.
“I am confident in the ability of this team to score a lot of goals, but I must confess that the defence is still a bit shaky.
“However, we will beat Gabon. I am very sure of that,” he said.
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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