Sports
Tragedy Overshadows Madagascar’s Draw With Senegal …2018 AFCON Qualifiers
The death of a fan over shadowed Madagascar’s 2-2 draw with Senegal last Sunday as qualifiers continued for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
At least 40 more people were injured in a stampede before kick-off at the stadium in Antananarivo.
Despite the tragedy, the Group A qualifier went ahead as scheduled.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Ivory Coast, Mali and Tunisia all won away from home in the second round of qualifiers.
The 12 group winners and runners-up will secure places at the 2019 Nations Cup finals, except for Group B, where hosts Cameroon and the highest-placed other team will both qualify.
Gourp A
Senegal were twice pegged back by Madagascar in a match which was marred by the deadly stampede before kick-off.
Moussa Konate had put Senegal 1-0 ahead with Paulin Voavy equalising just before half-time.
Keita Balde made it 2-1 to Senegal in the second half while Carolus Andriamahitsinoro hit the equaliser to make it 2-2.
After two matches, Senegal leads the group on goal-difference ahead of Madagascar.
Equatorial Guinea is third , a further point back , after their 1-0 win over Sudan on Saturday.
In Group H, former champions Ivory Coast got their Nations Cup campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over Rwanda in Kigali.
After their opening loss to Guinea at home in the first round of qualifiers in June 2017, the Elephants were under pressure for a win, and Jonathan Kodjia set them on their way with a goal on the stroke of half-time.
Max Gradel added a second for Ivory Coast just after the break with Rwanda hitting back through Meddie Kagere to make it a nervy finish for the Ivorian team.
Guinea beat Central African Republic 1-0 in the late game in Conakry on Sunday to go top of Group H, above Ivory Coast, with their second victory.
Mali were also winners away from home, beating South Sudan 3-0 in Juba to make it two wins out of two so far in Group C.
Goals from Moussa Marega, Salif Coulibaly and Adama Traore gave Mali the win which puts them top of the group after the 1-1 draw between Gabon and Burundi on Saturday.
Tunisia also maintained their perfect start to qualifying for Cameroon 2019 with a 2-0 win away to eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) in Group J.
First half goals from Taha Yassine Khenissi and Naim Sliti gave Tunisia their second straight victory.
Tunisia is three points above Egypt who beat Niger 6-0 on Saturday.
Sierra Leone missed the chance to take an outright lead in Group F, after falling to a 1-0 defeat away to Ethiopia.
A penalty from Getaneh Kebede after 36 minutes was enough to give Ethiopia the victory, and it means all four teams in Group F are now level on three points each.
In Group G, Zimbabwe collected a point away to Congo Brazzaville to go top of the standings after a 1-1 draw.
Khama Billiat gave the Warriors the lead after 22 minutes with the hosts finding an equaliser through Thievy Bifouma in the second half.
DR Congo is second in the group, behind Zimbabwe on goal-difference, after a late equaliser helped them draw 1-1 away to Liberia.
Cape Verde went down to ten-men late-on in their 1-1 draw away toLesotho in Group L.
Uganda remains top of the group after their 0-0 draw with Tanzania on Saturday.
A goal from Gelson was enough to bring Angola their first points in Group Ias they beat Botswana 1-0 in Luanda.
Botswana is bottom of the group without a point, with Mauritania top of the standings after their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso.
Also on Sunday, Togo and Benin drew 0-0 in Lome which keeps Algeria top of Group D on goal difference above Benin, after their 1-1 draw away to the Gambia on Saturday.
Sports
Inter House Sports Is Where Talents Are Discovered -Rear Admiral Okehie
Sports
Yenagoa City Set For Maiden 10km Marathon
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.
Sports
NSC rewards Ogun State Athlete N3m
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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