Sports
Oladapo Explains How He Clinched Victory For Enyimba
Enyimba’s Captain, Austin Oladapo has revealed how he bounced back from his penalty miss to lead his team to victory against ES Setif of Algeria last Sunday.
Oladapo, who had a 100 percent record from the spot this season, saw ES Setif goalkeeper save his penalty and denied him the opportunity to restore parity for his side after Monsef Bakrar’s had given the visitors the lead in the 13th minute.
The former Gombe United midfielder later hit the equaliser with a trademark thunderbolt from 25 yards just before the halftime whistle.
In a chat with Tidesport source after the game, Oladapo insisted that the earlier miss had no impact on his confidence.
“It’s difficult for most players; after missing a penalty everybody was hoping you score. Some players might not be able to pick themselves up in the game and their shoulders drop. But to me, I just saw it as a normal thing because even big players do miss penalties, there’s nothing to it. Sometimes, you score and other times you miss some, it’s part of football.”
“So when I missed, I didn’t feel any guilt at all; I brushed it off, continued playing, and then my goal came,” he told Tidesport source.
Oladapo’s effort lifted his team’s confidence and Tosin Omoyele went on completing the comeback in the 60th minute.
Enyimba however laboured to get the three points over the line as they failed to get the third goal that would have offered breathing space with 30 minutes left.
“We were hoping to get a third goal and the opponents were coming at us, but we had a penalty from Anayo, the referee waved it.”
“We had hoped he would give it and we could have topped our goals to three, but he didn’t. However, we thank God because everything worked in our favor,” he concluded.
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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