Sports
Dutch Club Puts Faith In Nigerian, African Players
Venlo said their signing of Africans is part of a strategic plan to compete with the top sides in the Dutch league.
Venlo chairman Hai Berden started this plan nearly two years ago when he signed four Nigerian youngsters.
Ahmed Musa, Uche Nwofor, Michael Uchebo, and Alex Nkume are now key players of the team.
“Through our advisors we were informed about the Nigerian youngsters. This led to the signing of these talented players,” Berden told BBC Sport.
“African football players are known for their strength and power. They are also disciplined and they show this on the field.”
Despite the challenges Venlo face in releasing of their players for matches outside the Fifa international calendar the Dutch side are delighted with the performance of the Nigerians so far.
Berden says they will continue help the youngsters to mature insisting that two of them can be world-class players.
“We are putting great effort into guiding them as much as we can. Ahmed Musa and Uche Nwofor are potential top players,” Berden said.
“The playful and adventurous style of play is what makes African football for what it is. And I really enjoy it.
“It’s a compliment for both the club and our players they are being selected for the Super Eagles and youth selections.
“The downside is that you have to deal with possible injuries they could suffer when they are on international duty. But that’s a risk we are willing to take.
“We are careful when it comes to releasing players for matches of the national team which are not scheduled according to the official Fifa dates.
“In most situations, we tend to cooperate with the national football federations and their demands and then see what’s best for both sides.”
Tijani Babangida was the first Nigerian player to ever play for the Dutch minnows in the early 1990s.
His role involving the arrivals of these players is a consultative but his counsel helps them to acquire good talent at a cheaper price because they are priced out of the Dutch market by richer clubs like Ajax and PSV.
“We have a solid network with lots of expertise. This is a necessity for small clubs like Venlo to keep their heads above the water,” the Venlo chairman said.
“We have tried signing local and national talents. However, most of the times they rather sign for Dutch top teams.
“We do have seven players in our first team selection that are a product of our youth system.
“We are not afraid of losing our identity. It all comes down to the quality of a certain player. Society is multicultural and so is football.
“People relate to the type of football a team plays. And if we can achieve this with Nigerian players, 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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