Sports
FIFA, Killing African Football -Ivory Coast Coach
Ivory Coast Coach, Patrice Beaumelle has said that world governing body, FIFA is killing African football by only allowing the continent five places at the World Cup.
Beaumelle’s Elephants can no longer reach the 2022 tournament in Qatar after losing 1-0 in Cameroon last week and finishing second in their group.
Africa’s 54 participants in qualifying are whittled down to just five places at the 32-team tournament, while Europe has 13 guaranteed places from 55 competitors and South America four from 10.
“It is a shame because strong teams like mine will stay at home,” Frenchman Beaumelle said.
“I have been in Africa since 2008 and I have participated in many World Cup qualifiers. I want to speak to Fifa because when you see that we have 54 federations and only five can go to a World Cup, it is a disaster.
“I am not criticising other continents. But they (Fifa) are killing African football.
“It is a shame to have big players who are the pride of European championships and now they will not go to a World Cup.”
However, the World Cup will be expanded to 48 teams from 2026, when the tournament will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Like all the other continental confederations Africa will be given extra places at the expanded tournament.
Africa is expected to have nine guaranteed spots, while an inter-continental play-off tournament will decide the final two places.
Meanwhile, Fifa head of global development Arsene Wenger has proposed holding the World Cup every two years to boost participation.
Ivory Coast competed in three consecutive World Cups from 2006 to 2014, but have now missed out on back-to-back tournaments.
South Africa, qualifiers in 1998 and 2002 and then hosts in 2010, are also set to be missing in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Cameroon and the other nine group winners will now face play-offs next March to decide Africa’s five representatives.
“Cameroon qualified to the play-off, but it is not guaranteed [to go] to the World Cup,” Beaumelle added.
“African teams are exhausted before they arrive at a World Cup because those qualifiers are exhausting us.
“Five countries from 54 is not even 9%. It is a shame. Even if my team had won I would still speak out about this situation.”
Africa is still awaiting its first-ever semi-finalist at the World Cup, after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) were all knocked out in the last eight
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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