Sports
Yobo Marks 10 Years With Super Eagles
When Joseph Yobo led the Super Eagles out against Ethiopia yesterday, it was just three days past his 10th consecutive year as a full international.
Few Nigerian players can boast of such an impressive appearance record.
The defender first represented his country as a junior international, playing as a striker as Nigeria’s Under 20 team floundered at the African Youth Championship on home soil.
But he emerged as one of the few bright spots and made his full international debut a year later, as a right back on March 24, 2001 in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Zambia which ended 1-1.
Since then, Yobo has enjoyed an unbroken spell as an international, chalking up 78 caps in the process, and playing at 5 African Nations Cup tournaments, and 2 FIFA World Cups.
“I didnt know that! Wow! How time flies! It is a great achievement for me,” he said. “To play a full 10 years non stop. Wow!”
But he collects himself: “I just have to thank everyone, especially the fans who have been there for me all this while. Sometimes people criticize you, but you know it is because they hold you to a higher standard and want you go do well all the time.
“And I am grateful to all the coaches who have selected me all these years. Even after 10 years, I still consider it an honor to wear this shirt and represent my country.
“And now that I am captain, I think I have a big responsibility to continue to wear this shirt with pride and let the younger ones know what an honor it is to play for their country.”
Yobo has scored four times for the Super Eagles but says he needs to up that figure, even as a defender. “I should score more goals. I get in the box for set pieces and I think sometimes I get a bit unlucky, but hopefully, there’s still time for me to get more.”
And speaking of time, Yobo is hoping that he has enough in his legs to help him crack Nigeria’s appearance record.
“I’m not really thinking about it, I just want to do my best for the team on a game by game basis. Hopefully, that will be good enough to get to the record, but the team is more important, and if I can help the team by doing that, why not.”
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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