Sports
‘Arsenal Friendly Good For Super Eagles’
Soccer fans have commended the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) for arranging a friendly match between the Super Eagles and the Arsenal FC of London on August 5 in Abuja.
They said that the friendly game with one of the English Premiership leaders would help in the rebuilding process of the national team being coached by Stephen Keshi.
Tunde Disu, a former Flying Eagles’ coach, urged the Super Eagles to learn from the match which he described as a good initiative of the NFA.
Disu told newsmen in Lagos that “it is good for our boys to play the club. I do not see anything wrong with playing Arsenal.
“For me, they are better than some African countries. We are playing a club of high calibre that plays good football and it is a welcomed development.
“Football is all about entertainment and I know we will see good football on that day,’’ he said.
He also advised the Super Eagles not to underestimate their ability, saying that with consistency and determination they could surprise their counterparts and fans.
“It is good for our team to test and know their ability because from there the technical crew will know areas to work on.
“It will also be good experience for the coaches because Arsene Wenger is a good coach and it will be part of learning for the technical crew,’’ he said.
A former Super Eagles player, Edema Fuludu, also commended the proposed friendly match, saying it will help the team to get better.
Fuludu, the Head Coach of Warri Wolves FC, said that the Super Eagles should embrace the opportunity.
“It’s not a bad thing even if we play our domestic club here. It will give the players the opportunity to blend; Arsenal is a good side in the English Premier League.
“We should expect nothing but the very best of football from the ‘Gunners’ because their quality of play is not in doubt; we should seek more of this opportunity.
“The boys should play more friendly matches so that they can blend and the current rebuilding process can further bring the team to its winning ways,’’ he said.
Also applauding the development, Felix Owolabi, another ex-Super Eagles player, said it did not matter if the Super Eagles played either a club side or a national team.
“It does not matter if they play clubs, what matters is the quality of their opponents; I think Arsenal represents a good composition of players. It is a solid football club.
“It is no big deal any way, more advanced countries do this, it’s just a new trend in our football,’’ Owolabi said.
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.