Sports
Chukwu Advises Eagles To Step Up
Former national team coach, Christian Chukwu, has advised Super Eagles’ technical crew and players to rise above the disappointment of not making the Qatar 2022 World Cup and show the world that they are still a powerhouse in football.
Nigeria lost the 2022 World Cup ticket to Ghana. The football extravaganza was hosted by Qatar. It was the first time the team failed to qualify for the Copa du Mundo since 2006.
The Eagles will begin another campaign to qualify for international football on March 24, but this time, the target is the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire. The Eagles will host Guinea Bissau in Abuja on March 24 and travel to Bissau for the return leg on March 27.
Chukwu told The Guardian that though Nigeria’s failure to make the World Cup in Qatar is painful, the games against Guinea Bissau are good opportunities for the Eagles to reassert their greatness in African football.
He also advised the team against underrating Guinea Bissau, even though they are not among the A list teams in Africa, saying that in modern football there are no more weak sides.
The former Super Eagles coach urged the technical crew to ensure that only the best available players are selected for the matches, saying that picking players on sentiments can ruin Nigeria’s chances of returning to international football.
“Nigeria cannot afford to miss the 2024 AFCON after not playing in the last World Cup. So, everybody involved, including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the coaches and the players should take preparations for the Guinea Bissau game seriously.
“The players should be mentally focused for the games because in African football there are no more small teams,” he said.
Also speaking on FIFA’s decision to increase the number of teams at the World Cup from 32 to 48, beginning with the 2026 edition, Chukwu said that the format is of no advantage to African teams because all of them in the World Cup have equal chances of excelling at the tournament.
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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