Sports
Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana Battle For Group E Ascendancy
Nigeria will welcome South Africa for a vital Group E clash in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they meet in Uyo tomorrow June 10. The match is set for the Akwa Ibom Stadium, with kick-off at 18h00 CAT.
Neither the Super Eagles nor Bafana Bafana qualified for the last AFCON in Gabon earlier this year, meaning a place in the 2019 finals is a major priority for both, at least until the 2018 World Cup qualifiers resume.
While Nigeria has had German coach Gernot Rohr in charge of their team for the better part of a year, South Africa will see this match as the start of a new era under Stuart Baxter.
The Englishman is entering his second spell in charge of Bafana Bafana and immediately faces a huge challenge in overseeing an attempted return to the AFCON.
Yet there is a sense of deja vu for SA, who was in a very similar position ahead of the qualifiers for the 2015 tournament: ‘Shakes’ Mashaba had just taken charge of the team (for his second permanent tenure) and they found themselves in a challenging group alongside Nigeria.
What followed was an unbeaten campaign in which Bafana topped the group, secured qualification for the AFCON finals and ensured the Super Eagles didn’t make the cut.
Yet Baxter and Bafana would be foolish to expect a repeat, certainly not without some serious hard work and the odd slice of luck. And this Nigeria team is far improved from the one which missed out on the 2015 (and 2017) finals.
For a start, Rohr has brought a greater sense of organisation and discipline to the team, which has mostly not compromised the natural attacking flair Nigeria has always been renowned for.
For proof of their improvement, look no further than the Russia 2018 qualifiers, where Rohr’s Eagles are top of the ‘Group of Death’ thanks to impressive wins over Zambia and Algeria.
And they also racked up a big 3-0 win over Togo in a friendly last week, though Rohr reckons they have plenty to work on ahead of meeting South Africa: “Our team is young and has a good future, [but] there is a lot of work to do still,” he told Tidesports source.
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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