Sports
Golden Eaglets Dazzle At Pepsi Tourney
The coach of Liberty Professional FC of Ghana, George Lamptey, has declared that the Golden Eaglets’ soccer artistry so far at the ongoing Pepsi Academy Football International Tournament in Abeokuta is enough to give them victory.
The Ghanaian coach, who described the U-17 players as “young beautiful players”, urged the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to ensure that the players were kept together and groomed into the U-20 national team.
“I have not seen any team that can match the boys’ (Eaglets) performance in this tournament and I must say kudos to their coach.
“Even though they are small in stature, they have been able to do what the big ones cannot do. I see them as tomorrow’s team for Nigeria,” he told newsmen in Abeokuta yesterday.
Lamptey, a pioneer player of Abiola Babes FC Abeokuta, said that if the boys were given the deserved attention and training, they would boost the country’s football.
On Monday, the Eaglets defeated the Liberty Professionals 1-0 in a match described by spectators as interesting. Aliu Aliu scored the only goal of the match in the 10th minute.
The Eaglets had in their Group B opening match on Sunday defeated Pepsi Football Academy II 3-2.
Eaglets coach Danladi Nasidi, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and attributed their victory to sheer determination.
He added that his boys won because they played to instruction and promised that their next match would be an “outright win”.
“They won the match because they were determined. The Ghanaians are older and bigger and more exposed but we won because we were determined,” he said.
In Group A, Riverlane FC of Enugu drew 2-2 with Pepsi Football Academy I with Seka Paul scoring an own goal in the 18th minute.
Earlier, Sia One FC of Abuja defeated Dimension de Formation of Benin 3-1 with Onoriode Esejabor, opening scoring for Sia One.
Sesugh Dennis scored a brace in the 40th and 59th minute to put the match beyond the Republic of Benin side. PFA I and BRF of Lagos drew 1-1 with Ajidahun Adebayo scoring in the 70th minute, while Ikechukwu Nwankwo of BRF equalised in the 55th minute.
The competition continued yesterday with an official opening ceremony of the tourney at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta and the Abeokuta Grammar School pitch.
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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