Sports
CHAN: Ivory Coast Thrashes Cameroon To Advance
Ivory Coast advanced to the
2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) semi-finals after thrashing Cameroon 3-0 on Saturday evening.
The CHAN quarter-final encounter was played at the Stade Huye in Butare, Rwanda.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast dominated the opening stages of the game as they managed to keep the Indomitable Lions defence very busy.
Ivory Coast striker Frank Djedje Guiza fired the first shot on target just four minutes into the game, but Cameroon goalkeeper Patrick Hugo Nyame made a good save.
At the other end, Indomitable Lions shot-stopper Ali Badra Sangare was forced to make a save from Yao Serge N’Guessan’s well-taken free-kick in the 17th minute.
Guiza found some space to unleash a long range effort on the half-hour mark, but his attempt failed to trouble Nyame as the ball sailed over the cross-bar.
Cameroon came very close to finding the opening goal on the stroke of half-time, but Nicolas Brice Moumi fired Jonathan Joseph Ngwem’s cross inches wide of the target.
The Indomitable Lions had a chance to take the lead again five minutes after the restart. However, Moumi placed his effort from a free-kick over the goal-posts.
The first substitute took place on the hour-mark when Cameroon midfielder Stephen Kingue Mpondo was replaced Aaron Mbimbe II.
In the 73rd minute, Ivory Coast defender Marcelin Koffi headed the ball wide of the target following a corner-kick as the Ivorians looked to break the deadlock.
With three minutes left on the clock, Moumi was presented with a great opportunity to grab the winning goal. However, he fired wide of the target.
The match ended 0-0 and the two teams headed for extra-time at the Huye Stadium.
The Elephants dominated the entire extra-time period and they scored three times.
Koffi Davy Mahinde opened the scoring in the 94th minute with a good finish much to the delight of the Ivorian fans.
Then the Elephants doubled their lead in the 99th minute when Hemann Djobo finished with aplomb with the keeper well-beaten.
Serge N’Guessan sealed Ivory Coast’s 3-0 victory with a beautiful a goal in the 111th minute.
An Ivorian player (2) dancing beyond a Cameroonian defender in the CHAN quarter final match on Saturday
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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