Sports
What Eguavoen Needs To Deliver As Eagles Coach – Akanni
An ex-international, Wahidi Akanni,yesterday, said that the success of Austin Eguavoen, the interim Manager of Super Eagles, is hinged on the level of support given to the coach by stakeholders.
Akanni, who said this in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos, said that all hands should be on deck, with barely a month to the Nations Cup.
Tidesports source reports that the Nigeria Football Federation recently announced that Eguavoen would replace Gernot Rohr as Super Eagles coach on an interim arrangement.
“With his wealth of experience, I believe he’d bring something fresh players to the team because he has been around; he has gone to these tournaments as a player and as a coach.
“With NFF’s real support, he’d be able to achieve so much; the tournament is about four weeks and the core of the team is basically from Europe.
“I don’t think he needs to do a lot of searches because our domestic league only just kicked off, support from all levels is crucial,” Akanni said.
Rohr’s five-year stint with Nigeria has ended and Eguavoen is back in the position he held back in 2010 following Lars Lagerback’s exit in 2010.
Akanni, a former FA Chairman of Lagos State, advised Eguavoen to focus on the defense in order to have a well-coordinated team.
“Austin should also try to look into the defence line, which needs one or two changes, I believe by so doing, getting the necessary result won’t be a problem.
“We need to beef up our defense to fortify our squad better,” Akanni said.
The 56-year-old manager will work alongside Salisu Yusuf (chief coach), Paul Aigbogun (assistant coach), Joseph Yobo (assistant coach), Terry Eguaoje (assistant coach) and Alloy Agu (goalkeeper coach).
In 1994, he was the acting captain that lifted the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia after Nigeria defeated Zambia 2-1.
He was also part of Clemens Westerhof’s team that featured in the country’s maiden appearance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Eguavoen called time on his international career at the age of 32 after playing in Nigeria’s last group match at the 1998 World Cup which ended in a 3-1 loss to Paraguay.
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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