Sports
AFCON 2023: Super Eagles To Face Indomitable Lions In Round Of 16
The Super Eagles have a tough test ahead of them in the knockout phase of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigerians, who are aiming for a fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire, are billed to face the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the Round of 16.
Both Nigeria and Cameroon finished as the runners-up in their groups with the Lions needing a thrilling 3-2 win over Gambia yesterday to leapfrog Guinea into second position.
The thrilling encounter between Nigeria and Cameroon will come up on Saturday at the FHB Stadium in Abidjan.
It was Cameroon that denied Nigeria the AFCON trophy the last time Cote D’Ivoire hosted the Africa Cup of Nations 30 years ago.
Many wait to see if the Super Eagles will get an act of revenge against their fierce rivals or if the Lions will confirm their superiority over Nigeria
Already, Super Eagles midfielder, Moses Simon who was named Man of the Match in the hard-fought 1-0 win against Guinea-Bissau has declared their readiness to embrace any challenge on their path to glory.
“We’re not losing sleep over who we’ll face next,” Simon confidently told reporters in Abidjan after the match. “We have no preference; we have to be ready for all opposition if we want to win the title. Any team we draw, we’re ready for them and everyone else.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze has urged his teammates to keep fighting and focus on their next 2203 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Round of 16 clash this weekend.
The AC Milan star spoke following Nigeria’s AFCON 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Monday night.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after Jose Peseiro’s men won Guinea-Bissau, Chukwueze said: “I’m so happy that we won today but it wasn’t easy.
“We wanted to take the first position in the table but it didn’t happen. We have to keep fighting and now it’s the knockout stage we have to keep focusing.
“At the moment we just focus on the knockout stage.”
Super Eagles of Nigeria’s Coach, Jose Peseiro, has said that his team was keeping the goals for the next round of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Portuguese said this on Monday in Abidjan during his post-match news conference after a scrappy 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau in the last group A match.
The Super Eagles coach said he was happy with the 1-0 win while congratulating Equatorial Guinea for topping the table.
He said his team wasted many scoring chances but claimed that they were keeping the goals for the next stage of the competition. Peseiro explained that he was not afraid, or even cared, about Nigeria’s next opponent in the round of 16 as he was focused on every game.
“Today, we played very good football but we missed scoring chances which is not good for us.
“Our striker, Victor Osimhen, was not at his best but I’m happy we are through to the next stage.
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.