Sports
NFF Won’t Sack Gernot Rohr – Pinnick
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick has insisted that national team coach Gernot Rohr will not be sacked after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rohr’s side were eliminated from title contention when they suffered a last-gasp 2-1 loss to Algeria in the semifinals last Sunday.
The Super Eagles will wrap up their campaign with a clash against Tunisia in the third-place playoff in Cairo on Wednesday, which they won 1-0 to earn the bronze medal.
Many critics in Nigeria have called for the German to be relieved of his duties, but Pinnick has said that this will not happen.
“Gernot Rohr will not be sacked as Super Eagles coach. He will remain in the job. I have complete confidence in him,” Pinnick said.
“Gernot has taken us to the semifinal, the target we set for him. Right now, we have a third-place match to play for and we intend to have our team leave Egypt with honours,” he said hours before Nigeria beat Tunisia 1-0 in the match.
Pinnick added that Rohr will undergo a refresher course at Bayern Munich to equip him with the latest coaching trends after the 2019 AFCON.
“There are some people that have been calling on me and the federation to sack Gernot. But I am not going to do that.
“In fact, Gernot is going on a refresher training period with Bayern Munich, after AFCON 2019. We have a long-term plan with him.”
“We have had rocky and difficult moments in our relationship, but this is normal in any relationship between two people.
“He is a good coach and we want him to remain with us. That said, we will work together on what needs to be improved upon.”
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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