Sports
Sundowns Savour Super Cup After Edging Mazembe
A late penalty from Ricardo Nascimento saw Mamelodi Sundowns defeat TP Mazembe 1-0 in Pretoria at the weekend to win the CAF Super Cup.
The Southern Africans dominated the majority of the annual exhibition match and were worthy winners, adding the Super Cup trophy to the Champions League they won in 2016 and establishing themselves as the preeminent club on the continent right now.
The first clear chance of the match went the way of Mazembe, with striker Ben Malango sprinting free on goal in the ninth minute. He beat Denis Onyango with his first shot, but the ball crashed into the upright.
The Mazembe striker got onto the rebound and looked sure to score with a second attempt, but Onyango recovered well to push the effort onto the same post and deny the DRC giants an early lead.
Sundowns generally enjoyed the majority of ball possession in the first half, but it was only in the final minutes before the break that they really looked like capitalising on their dominance.
Khama Billiat should have at least hit the target when presented with a clear sight of goal in the 37th minute, while Anthony Laffor almost snuck a shot into the bottom corner just before the break, but goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo did just enough to keep it out.
From the start of the second half, the Brazilians were even more dominant and created a string of openings from which they should have broken the deadlock. However, the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Laffor and Tiyani Mabunda were all guilty of spurning good opportunities.
It seemed only a matter of time until ‘Downs broke through and the Ravens’ defence finally cracked with just under 10 minutes to play, as Kekana was clumsily brought down in the box to win a penalty. Defender Ricardo Nascimento coolly converted from the spot to claim the game’s decisive goal in the 83rd minute.
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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