Sports
Eaglets Played To Impress Agents – Coach
Golden Eaglets coach, John Obuh says his players threw their original game plan to the winds and instead played to impress agents in the Final.
Nigeria lost 0-1 to Switzerland in the Final, and Obuh admitted that although his players were unlucky, they also contributed to the problem in some ways.
“One of the problems we had is that some of the players were trying to play to impress certain agents,” he said.
“I did as much as possible to psyche them up to know that this was the most important game of the tournament and it would not be good for us to come all this way and fall at the final step.
Nigeria were all over the Swiss in the opening period, and could have been up by at least two goals before the break.
As the game wound down, and trailing by a goal, the Eaglets hit the post twice and forced some cracking saves from the Swiss goalkeeper, and Obuh also pointed to hard luck.
“On a good day, we should have won this match. We had chances, we hit the bar and we played well. One of my substitutes was the one that came on and hit the bar.
“That is why I say, as far as I am concerned, this is what is destined to happen. I don’t have any regrets, I always remain positive no matter what happens.”
He also explained that his decision to start Sani Emmanuel, usually a substitute, was informed by injury to Omoh Ojabu.
“Yesterday, at our last training session, one of my players, who is supposed to start, had a muscle tear and it happened at the last minute.
“This was his (Sani’s) chance to come and start, and he had opportunities but maybe he was distracted by the thought of winning the top scorer award and he didn’t do what he was supposed to do”.
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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