Sports
Insurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
The hosts began brightly and should have taken an early lead inside the opening ten minutes.
Musa Sudes fired wide in the fifth minute before Udom Emmanuel also missed the target moments later as Insurance pressed with intent. Enyimba survived another scare in the 17th minute when a well-taken free kick was kept out by a resolute defensive wall.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute when Oweilayefa Alex finished confidently to put Insurance ahead, a goal that reflected their early dominance.
Enyimba struggled to respond, with the home side maintaining control of possession and tempo. Emmanuel Akpan was forced off through injury in the 38th minute and replaced by Chikatara Chisom, but the change did little to disrupt Insurance’s rhythm.
Chinedu Nwosu went close to extending the lead in the 41st minute, remaining composed as he dictated play in midfield, and Insurance went into the interval one goal to the good after four minutes of added time.
Insurance made a double change at the start of the second half, introducing Efe Ubiomo and Nnamdi Anthony for Musa Sudes and Henry Oyian. Enyimba showed more urgency after the restart and came close to equalising in the 56th minute, but goalkeeper Emmanuel Ofori produced a fine save to deny the visitors.
Any hopes of a comeback were effectively ended in the 79th minute when 16-year-old Efe Ubiomo marked his debut with a clinical goal to double Insurance’s advantage.
The home side continued to create chances, with Nwosu missing another opportunity late on, before Chikatara Chisom was replaced by Anyanwu Promise in stoppage time as Insurance saw out a comfortable win.
The result extends Enyimba’s miserable run in a season that began with title expectations.
The Peoples Elephants have now won just one of their last six matches and sit 12th in the table with 31 points from 25 games.
Their struggles on the pitch come amid ongoing turmoil off it, with the club reportedly under investigation over alleged misappropriation of funds and having recently appointed Cameroonian Emmanuel Deutsch as head coach, their fourth in two years.
By contrast, Insurance’s revival under Kennedy Boboye continues to gather momentum. Once flirting with relegation earlier in the campaign, they have climbed to sixth place on 37 points and are now firmly in the hunt for a continental place, with this emphatic win underlining their return to form.
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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