Sports
Keshi Bemoans Role Of White Coaches
Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has strongly criticised the role of some white coaches in African football just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations.
Frenchman Herve Renard coached Zambia to the 2012 title but Keshi has concerns about some of them who work on the continent.
“The white guys are coming to Africa just for the money,” he said.
“They are not doing anything that we cannot do. I am not racist but that’s just the way it is.”
However, Uganda’s Scottish coach Bobby Williamson does not agree.
He told Tidesports source “I never came here for the money. I came here for the job, for a new experience and a new working place. I’ve never regretted it.
“When I first came here, the money I was being paid was just enough to pay the mortgage. It has improved because I have been relatively successful; at the regional African Cecafa tournaments and I’ve also get close to qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“We are all professionals, if he [Keshi] could get a better job in Europe and earn better money, then I’m sure he would be off like a shot.
“It’s just like most African players who are playing in Britain: they’re not just there for the love of football, they are there to make money, they are professionals.”
Keshi, who won the Nations Cup as a player in 1994, was also critical of the attitude taken by some of the continent’s governing bodies.
The former Togo coach feels that there is a substantial difference in the way that local and foreign coaches are treated by football associations across Africa.
“African coaches – when [federations] employ them, [the federations] want them to win the World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations and every game,” said a man who has steered Nigeria into this month’s finals in South Africa.
“Meanwhile, if you give a white person the same job, you tell the white person they need one year to adapt, to know the country and the players – they are told ‘don’t worry, take your time’.
“That is unprofessional and is one thing that is killing African football.”
But Williamson believes it is up to African coaches to improve their standards.
“It is not about being black or white, it is about having the qualifications,” he added. “I’ve got them. My UEFA licence doesn’t expire until 2016 and I’ll be doing what I need to in the meantime to keep it up.
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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