Sports
CHAN 2010: Amokachi, Home-Based Eagles On Trial Host Niger In Kano
The fate of ex-international, Daniel Amokachi as a national team coach and the chances of home-based players playing a part in the Super Eagles at the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa will take some shapes of sort as they host the Mena of Niger Republic in Kano, today.
It is the return leg of the African Nations Championship, CHAN, qualifying match and the Nigerian team is seeking to overhaul a first leg 2-0 deficit.
After the encounter, Nigeria’s chances of being part of the football rendez-vous for players plying their trade locally in the continent, slated for Sudan later in the year, will be sealed.
Nigeria’s first leg loss to a side regarded as light weight opposition raised huge dust and the pressure is on to cancel the arrears and go ahead to qualify.
Towards achieving this target, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, seconded James Peters to assist coach Amokachi to fashion out a winning formula.
Also, many new players were invited to beef up the squad, while about 10 players were dropped by the technical crew.
The team, which has been given the necessary assistance by the NFF will not have any excuse not to defeat the visitors today.
With the presence of Lars Lagerback, Super Eagles new technical adviser, who is in Kano to watch the match, the home-based players know that the game may be their last real chance to impress the Swede and make a statement for themselves.
Therefore, they must come out firing on all cylinders, knowing that early goals can set them on the road to achieving their objectives.
But they must be cautioUs in defence and clinical in attack.
According to reports, the Nigerians hardly threatened in the first leg, but were able to score two in only two attempts, owing largely to goalkeeping errors, while Nigeria dominated play without scoring.
Coach Amokachi and company must reverse the trend today and give Nigeria the chance to compete with their contemporaries in the second edition of the championship after missing the first held in Cote d’Ivoive
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.