Sports
Tickets For Nigeria, Argentina Match Sold Out
Officials have disclosed that today’s cracker between Nigeria and Argentina at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg has been sold out.
Ellis Park Stadium is located in the centre of Johannesburg and has hosted many epic sporting events including the Final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup between Brazil and the United States. The ground was given a significant face-lift before the Confederations Cup finals and now seats 62,000 fans, increasing its capacity by almost nine per cent from the previous 57,000.
Out Of Nigeria’s 23–man squad, 10 of them have tasted action against Argentina before. Nwankwo Kanu was on the triumphant side when Nigeria’s Under-17 team beat the Argentines at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Japan in 1993 and then captained the Under-23 team to beat Argentina to the Olympic football gold in the USA in 1996.
Kanu, Joseph Yobo and John Utaka were in the team that lost to Argentina at the 2002 World Cup, while Osaze Odemwingie, Chinedu Obasi, Obinna Nsofor, Dele Adeleye and Sani Kaita were in the Under-23 team that lost to Argentina in the Olympic football gold medal match in Beijing in 2008.
Lukman Haruna captained the Nigeria Under-17 team that beat Argentina in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Korea three years ago.
Taye Taiwo, Obasi, Adeleye, Kaita and Nsofor were on the losing side when Argentina piped the Flying Eagles 2-1 to win the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Netherlands in 2005.
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.