Sports
Brown Ideye Challenge: Rumuowha FC Crashes Out …After 3-1 Loss
Rumuowha FC lost their
third match in Group A of the Brown Ideye Challenge as they fell 1:3 to Citadel FC on Friday.
First half goals from Leo Ofon, Lawson Viera and a second half strike from Maurice Chukwu for Citadel meant Chinedu Owhor’s late strike for Rumuowha was of no consequence to the outcome of the game.
The loss means Rumuowha would not progress to the knock out stages despite having one more group game to play,
Coach Iyke Uwakwe of Rumuowha FC took the loss in his stride but was quick to inform the press that his side was filled with young boys who were getting their first tournament experience.
The team we played is a little better than us. I have youthful boys and no one is up to 20yrs. They tried their best. I just want to expose them. It’s a new team. They are new boys and they have not played any tournament before Its a month and three weeks we stared the team, so I decided to register them for this tournament so that I can expose them to see what things are like outside.
Citadel FC boss, Henry Moses lauded Brown Ideye, the sponsor of the tournament as the competition he said has given him an avenue to test run new players within his team in a competitive atmosphere.
This competition is more of a test run for me because I have new crop of players I am currently working with. So I am using this competition as a test run for some of them. As a team, I must admit despite our victory that we didn’t play totally well today but I am looking forward to having good games in subsequent matches.
Coach Moses also admitted his side had missed super sub and radio analyst Benjamin Okenna Sawadinho who wasn’t available for selection on the day due to personal reasons.
Sawadinho is a super-sub in the team. Each time he comes in to the game you always feel his presence. If he was here today, perhaps he would have gotten a goal or two.
In the day’s late kickoff, a 78th minute strike from Chukwu Chizi saw Gold Kings Soccer Academy earn a 1:0 win over Soccer Fire FC thus earning their first points of the competition.
The Brown Ideye Challenge sponsored by Super Eagles forward Brown Ideye, is a 20 team competition with the teams divided into four groups of five. Two teams would progress from each group to play in the quarter final stage.
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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