Sports
Big Guns Enter CAF Champions League
TP Mazembe Englebert of DR Congo begin the defence of their CAF Champions League title today, playing away in Kigali against APR FC in the competition’s second round.
The champions were given a bye in the opening stage, but that advantage has been negated by a match-up with Rwanda’s most successful club side, APR FC, who have won the Cecafa Clubs Cup in 2004 and 2007.
The weekend’s second round, first leg ties across the continent sees the arrival of several of the other favourites, including Egypt’s Al Ahly and last year’s runners-up Heartland FC of Nigeria in the competition.
SuperSport United will be hosting Mozambique’s Ferroviario Maputo.
TP Mazembe only started their domestic campaign in the last month but have already been handed massive affirmation of their new found status in African football.
They won the CAF Africa Super Cup over Stade Malien last month and then last week were named Club of the Year at CAF’s annual awards in Ghana.
Indeed, they have further improved their squad since last November’s Champions League triumph, adding Zambia goalkeeper Stopirra Nsunzu to their ranks, who was previously on the books of Chateauroux.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly’s first Champions League appearance this year is at Gunners FC in Harare today; one of three matches to take place in the Zimbabwe capital this weekend, while Heartland of Nigeria are away at Tiko United, who won the Cameroonian league title for the first time last season.
Hopes are high for last year’s silver medalists after Nigeria saw their other representatives in this year’s campaign embarrassingly eliminated in the first round.
Bayelsa United lost to Gazelle, whose reward is a tough home game against Al Merreikh from neighbouring Sudan.
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.