Sports
Portugal Clash: S’Eagles Coach Drops Musa, Others
Super Eagle’s coach, Jose Peseiro has left out captain Ahmed Musa, Premier League strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi, while he called up inform Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu for next Thursday’s friendly against World Cup-bound Portugal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.
Both Osimhen and Onuachu are the leading scorers in the Italian and the Belgian leagues respectively.
Peseiro recalled the quartet Onuachu, Tyronne Ebuehi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Joe Aribo while handing debut call-ups to Boavista defender Bruno Onyemaechi and Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel
The Super Eagles have also invited uncapped Bruno Onyemaechi, who is based in Portugal.
Meanwhwile,Jose Peseiro has said the Eagles can only be great when they test themselves against top teams like Portugal.
The Eagle’s Portuguese coach said the team do not want to take the easier route of playing against inferior opposition so as to win and garner points in the FIFA rankings.
“Playing against my country, the best in the world, who can win the World Cup, is extraordinary,” Peseiro said.
“But is also a great opportunity when you want to build a national team with great ambitions, you have to do it against top teams.
“The way must be this if you just want to win, you play against the small teams.
“But if I want to improve my team, I will go through the defeats to improve us going forward.
“How do you motivate the players against the small teams? Only points from the rankings.
“But it is different when you come head-to-head against a top team like Portugal.”
Under Peseiro, the Eagles have lost to Mexico, Ecuador and Algeria in friendlies.
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Watford FC, England); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Aris Thessaloniki, Greece).
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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