Sports
CAF Champions League: Aboutrika’s Hattrick Rescues Ahly
A Mohamed Aboutrika hat-trick earned Al-Ahly of Egypt a 3-1 triumph over Stade Malien of Mali in Cairo on Monday and a place in the CAF Champions League group phase.
Winners of the elite Pan-African club competition a record six times, Ahly appeared in trouble behind closed doors when drawing 1-1 with 1965 runners-up Stade nine minutes from time.
But a dramatic finish in the eerie atmosphere of the 70,000-seat Cairo Stadium saw iconic midfielder Abou Treika score twice and Malian Mohamed Koumare red carded between the goals after a second caution.
Ahly advanced to the pool phase 3-2 on aggregate having lost 1-0 in Bamako two weeks ago and then been stranded in the west African nation for four days as rival army factions fought for control of the capital. An Egyptian military aircraft rescued the Ahly footballers, coaches and officials and the return match in the last-16 tie was delayed 48 hours to allow the north Africans more recovery time.
Defending champions Esperance and Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, TP Mazembe of Demcratic Republic of Congo, ASO Chlef of Algeria, Sunshine Stars of Nigeria, Berekum Chelsea of Ghana and Zamalek of Egypt have also qualified.
Abou Treika, 33, who is idolised by millions of Egyptian football followers, netted twice against Coffee of Ethiopia in the previous round and his five goals put him one behind leading Champions League scorer Ghanaian Emmanuel Clottey.
Domestic football has been cancelled in Egypt since 74 people died in post-match Port Said riots on 1 February and no spectators are permitted to attend CAF fixtures.
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.