Sports
2022 W’Cup Qualifiers: Can S’ Eagles Feast On Wild Beasts?
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will tomorrow at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos continue their quest for a ticket to the playoff stage of qualification for the 2022 World Cup scheduled for Qatar with a double header against the Les Fauves (Wild Beasts) of Central Africa Republic, CAR.
First, the Gernot Rohr tutored team must do the needful at home by taking the points at stake tomorrow at home before following the opponents to Duoala, Cameroon for the return leg on Sunday.
The second leg is being staged at a neutral venue because CAF did not deem CAR’s stadium fit to host the international match.
Nigeria currently leads her group on six points after two victories in as many matches, a 2-0 and 2-1 respective wins over Liberia and Cape Verde and needs to overcome the Wild Beasts in the double header to have a sure foot in the next round of the qualifiers.
On paper, the Super Eagles looks, the favourites to edge the opponents but football being what it is, must be played and decided by the actors irrespective of what the bookmakers say.
Interestingly, the Eagles seem to be enjoying a good momentum and boasts enough quality to make Nigerians celebrate over the two legs provided the coaches get their acts spot on. With the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, the two goals hero against Liberia and irrepressible Victor Osimhen, who is also in a rich vein of form expected to lead Nigeria’s attack, the visitors may be in for some trouncing.
However, Coach Rohr and his wards have been warned to neither underrate nor take the visitors for granted in both legs of the encounter. According to ex-international and former African footballer of the year, Victor Ikpeba, “On paper it looks very clearly that we will pick the six points but we have to be very careful because football is always played on the field of play, the game does not always go according to permutations”.
For the Eagles to soar in the games, Rohr must come up with a positive strategy to get the best out of his available personnel and will have to make up for the absence of midfielder duo, Wilfried Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, who are sidelined by injuries. He must activate enough defensive and creative spark in the team for the attackers to deliver the goods, bearing in mind that the chasing pack in the group can take advantage of any stumble by the team.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
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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