Sports
Drogba Tips Super Eagles For AFCON Title
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, winner of the quarter-final match against Cote d’Ivoire at the ongoing 2013 AFCON in South Africa, have emerged the new favourites for the cup.
Tidesports gathered that their new status as the favourites has also added new pressure on them, as they are no longer considered the Cinderella team of the tournament.
Their foes from the semi-final stage are now expected to face them with additional strength and determination.
In an apparent show of good sportsmanship, Cote d’Ivoire’s skipper, the iconic Didier Drogba, was in the Nigerian dressing room moments after his side was shoved away from the competition by the less-fancied Super Eagles.
According to the Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya, Drogba is convinced that the Super Eagles will win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to him, Drogba stormed the dressing room of the Eagles after Sunday’s match to felicitate with his former club teammates, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, whom he said, are being missed badly by Chelsea of England.
“You guys should go and win the cup because you have shown the character of a champion,” Alaiya quotes Drogba as saying in impeccable English, as he hugged Coach Stephen Keshi, Mikel and Moses.
Players of the national team have also vowed to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan is present at the final of the tournament at the weekend by winning the semi-final game against Mali.
Team Skipper Joseph Yobo said after the win over Cote d’Ivoire, that the players resolved to fulfill the promise they made to Mr President when he visited the team in training in Abuja last year.
Yobo said he was also delighted to learn that business mogul, Aliko Dangote, was expected to cheer the national team in the final and urged all others to join in supporting the Eagles ahead of the semi-final clash against Mali.
Earlier, the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, S.S. Yusuf, reiterated the desire of Mr President to be physically present at the final of the competition, if the Eagles qualified for the final on Wednesday.
“The president watched you and was excited that you showed true character of Nigerian and his Private Secretary just called to say you should just fulfill your own part of the bargain and leave the rest to Mr president.
Yusuf also said that his Zambian counterpart in South Africa had tipped the Eagles to be African champions and had offered to plan a good hand-over ceremony to Nigeria.
“With what we have seen of this team, we are sure you will not disappoint Nigerians on Wednesday and even in the final,” he 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.
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