Sports
Go Round Attributes Loss To Lack Of Concentration
Ngozi Elechi’s side bowed to the People Elephants on Wednesday and the defender blamed their lack of focus for the defeat
Chinonso Udeh feels his Go Round side lack of focus in the second half saw them suffer a 2-0 defeat to Enyimba in a rescheduled Nigerian topflight encounter in Calabar on Wednesday.
Having forced a goalless draw in the first half, the Omoku-based side bowed to second-half strikes from Joseph Osadiaye and Abdulrahman Bashir at the UJ Esuene Stadium.
And the defender, who was disappointed by their loss, further blamed ill-luck and their poor showing in the final third for their failure to gain an away point against the People Elephants.
“It was a tough match but we did our best and had some scoring chances,” Udeh told Goal.
“I think it was one of our best away performances this season because we really fought hard to create a lot of opportunities but were not lucky to convert our chances.
“We even had one of our goal cancelled in the second half and we eventually lost the match. That’s football but Enyimba got their own chances and converted two of them.
“At some moments in the second half, we were not fully focused and failed to take the few advantages we had to score. But we need to move on and prepare harder for our next game.”
Despite the defeat, Go Round are still 18th with 19 points from 17 outings this season and would face FC Ifeanyi Ubah in their next encounter on Sunday.
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.