Sports
Poor Performance: We Are All Responsible – Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o wants Cameroon to quickly banish the memories of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and turn their focus to the future after a forgettable experience.
The Indomitable Lions failed to register a point for the first time in their six appearances at the competition. They were beaten in all three matches in Group E, by Japan, Denmark and the Netherlands, despite coming into the tournament as one of Africa’s biggest hopes.
“We’re all disappointed, we went to South Africa with high hopes of having a good World Cup, but it was not possible,” said Eto’o. “We cannot go back now.
“We must look to the future. And the future comes quickly because we already play in September. We must reorganise this and try and come back strongly.”
The future the Inter Milan striker was referring to is the start of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The west Africans, who are pooled in Group E for that campaign alongside Senegal, Congo DR and Mauritius, will be without their South Africa 2010 coach Paul Le Guen. The Frenchman left his post after their exit, but Eto’o refused to blame him for their troubles.
“We are all responsible,” said the 29-year-old. ”It would be easy to say that it was the fault of the coach. But I think the players were equally responsible. We are all in the same boat and it is important not to look for a scapegoat. But Paul Le Guen did what he could and it is not his fault.”
Eto’o, who scored both of his country’s goals in losing causes against the Danes and the Dutch, also asked the people of Cameroon not to be disheartened. “The most important thing now is to thank the people of Cameroon for their support,” he said.
“Yes, we’re disappointed not to meet their expectations, but in football this is sometimes the case. The most important thing now is to reorganise, have a strong plan going forward and do something good.
“It was not all bad, we still had the chance to discover some young players and we can say that in three months we have the qualifiers for the Africa Cup. So hopefully we can restore some pride then.”
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.