Sports
Ex-Super Eagles Player Tasks Rohr On Home-Based Players
Former Super Eagles player, Eldred Abbey, has said that the technical crew of Nigeria Super Eagles led by Gernot Rohr is not developing the country’s home- based footballers.
He stated that as the technical adviser of the senior national team what was expected from him was to exploit the potentials of the home based players by inviting them to national team, instead of solely depending on foreign based players.
Abbey stated this yesterday in a telephone interview with Tidesports, saying that a country like Nigeria need a coach that can develop football not only to win matches.
According to him, good coaches are more interested to develop players from the local leagues.
“ I think Rohr did not come to develop football in Nigeria, rather to win matches for the country. I do know that good coaches do introduce new players into teams at different competitions.
A good coach watches local league matches to enable him discover talents and monitor players in local clubs training sessions,” Abbey said.
He explained that, in the era of former Eagles Coach Clement Westerrof, most of the players that played in the senior national team were discovered from local leagues, adding that Late Stephen Keshi also did same by introducing new home based players to the team.
In a separate interview the head coach of Rivers United Football Academy , Sunny Iseokweinma, appeal to Rohr to monitor the local league matches for him to discover talent from the Local League.
He explained that most coaches have their important players they invite during matches, but it is important to discover new players.
Iseokweinma, however blamed Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for not giving Rohr direction in terms of grassroots football development.
Kiadum Edookor
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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