Sports
‘Chinese Super League, Tougher, Stronger Than Expected’
Nigeria striker Odion
Ighalo has said that the Chinese Super League has proved to be tougher than he expected following his move from English Premier league side Watford.
Ighalo, who plays for Changchun Yatai, made the move last year in a £20 million deal.
“Before I went there, people were saying the level of the Chinese League is very low and you are going to score a lot of goals,” said Ighalo who was in London with the Nigerian national team.
“When I got there I saw a different football game. There are a lot of foreign coaches and foreign players improving the league and the league is getting tougher and stronger.”
28-year-old Ighalo has kept up his good goal-scoring record in China.
Last year he scored 15 goals in 27 games and has scored one goal in three games so far this season.
“Football in China is still growing. I have played a season and this is my second season. I am enjoying the life there and the football.
“When I went there I was expecting a lower class of the league but when I arrived I saw how tough it is and said this is not what I had heard about.
“This is not what people were talking about. It’s tough and it’s difficult to score goals,” said the Nigerian striker.
Ighalo says that despite the challenges China presents, other African players should consider a move there if they get a chance.
“If the opportunity jumps on them and they think properly about it, they should go because it’s an opportunity to make some money, play in Asia and to experience the life and culture there,” said Ighalo.
Having played in Nigeria, Norway, Italy, Spain, England and now in China, how does life at his current club compare with his previous experiences?
“Moving from England to China is a different life, the time difference, the way they live, the food, so it’s totally different from what I had experienced but for me, it’s normal.
Every country you go to play, you experience different and new things. I have played in six countries so it’s not new to me,” Ighalo said.
The Nigerian is currently with the Super Eagles squad as they gear up for the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
They beat Poland 1-0 on Friday in a warm
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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