Sports
Life, Difficult After Drogba – Kalou
Cote d’Ivoire striker
Salomon Kalou believes that playing in the 2015 CAF African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea without experienced striker Didier Drogba is like Barcelona playing without Lionel Messi.
The former Asec Abidjan man, who now stars for Lille, spoke about the loss of Drogba, who retired from the Elephants national side, a move he said will likely leave a void upfront for the West African team.
“It’s difficult to imagine (life after Drogba) but it’s a little like if you tried a few years ago to imagine Barça without Ronaldinho and Real without Zinedine Zidane, and yet today we have Messi and Ronaldo,” the 29-year-old told Tidesports source.
“Both teams always have new players who come in and take over.
“Today, (Samuel) Eto’o and Drogba represent not just Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon but the success of an entire continent, and they’ve set an example for youngsters across the whole of Africa.
“And not just in football, the fact that they experienced success with their countries and also the big clubs they’ve played for has opened doors for all of us.”
Kalou was speaking ahead of their Afcon opener against Guinea yesterday and the ex-Chelsea man shared his impressions in camp.
“Everyone got prepared for it, people talked about nothing else, (they) got together and checked the TV works,” added Kalou.
“People decorate their homes and everyone wears orange capes and orange shirts.
“They always do everything they can from home to push our country towards victory – it’s a huge party, and you see everyone in the streets dressed in orange, white and green.
“People organise evenings to watch games together and there are parties and music.”
Herve Renard’s men took on Syli Nationale (National Elephants) in their Afcon opener at Estadio de Malabo yesterday evening.
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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