Sports
2012 National Cup: Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire Seek To End Drought
African football powers Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are long overdue a CAF African Cup of Nations title. It has been 30 years since the Black Stars enjoyed the last of four successes in the biennial championship and 20 years since the Elephants lifted the Cup for the only time.
They enter the continental showpiece, set to begin in a week’s time in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, as co-favourites alongside Senegal in a 16-team field. Notable absentees from the 23-day tournament include the likes of Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa.
Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic backs Mali, while Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure believes Morocco and Burkina Faso pose a serious threat. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger pegs the Ivorians as the most likely to win the title, concluding Côte d’Ivoire as “an incredible team and hot favourites”.
“They have a midfield of English Premier League stars Cheik Tiote, Yaya Toure and Gervinho and Cameroon are not there, Egypt are not there and Nigeria are not there,” Wenger said.
We go to each Cup of Nations as super favourites and come back disappointed.
Francois Zahoui, Côte d’Ivoire coach
Many suspected Côte d’Ivoire would win the 2008 edition of the tournament, but despite cruising into the semi-finals, were ultimately denied by Egypt. And, in 2010, the Elephants conceded a late equaliser against Algeria in the quarter-finals, losing after extra time.
“We have got a big problem in Côte d’Ivoire – we do not respect opponents,” coach Francois Zahoui said. “We go to each Cup of Nations as super favourites and come back disappointed.”
Fellow title challengers Ghana finished third when they hosted the competition in 2008, and went on to just miss out on championship silverware in 2010 as they fell to Angola in the final.
While Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan battles to recover from a hamstring injury, team-mate and 2011 African Footballer of the Year bronze medalist Andre Ayew says the time has come for the Black Stars to conquer Africa again.
“I believe we have the confidence to finally lift the trophy. It is not going to be easy, though, because we are going into a tournament and anything can happen,” said the Marseille-based son of Black Stars legend Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew.
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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