Sports
W/Africa Under Represented In Champions League
The line-up for the CAF Champions League’s new-look group stage was completed at the weekend and it is noticeable that West Africa is severely underrepresented.
The region, which is a traditional powerhouse of African football, has just one representative in the last 16: Cameroon’s Coton Sport, who overcame Madagascar side CNaPS 2-1 on aggregate.
The weekend’s first round, second leg action saw teams from Nigeria (Rivers United, Enugu Rangers), Ivory Coast (AS Tanda), Burkina Faso (Rail Club), Guinea (Horoya), Gabon (CF Mounana), Liberia (Barrack Young Controllers), and Gambia (Ports Authority) all drop out
A predominance of North African teams is never a surprise for CAF club competitions and this year’s Champions League is no exception, with no less than seven clubs hailing from the region: Al Ahly, Zamalek (both Egypt), Etoile Sahel, Esperance (both Tunisia), USM Alger (Algeria), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) and Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya).
Southern Africa is also fairly well represented, with title holders Mamelodi Sundowns setting an example which has been followed by Zambia’s Zanaco, Mozambican side Ferroviario Beira and Zimbabwe’s CAPS United, who claimed a major scalp in the previous round by eliminating TP Mazembe.
Mazembe’s great rivals in the DR Congo, AS Vita, are the only Central African representatives, while East Africa has three teams in the final 16.
: Sudanese giants Al Merrikh and Al Hilal, as well as Ethiopia’s Saint George.
The group stage, which will be played from May to July, will feature four groups of four, with the top two teams in each advancing into the quarterfinals.
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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