Sports
…Red Card Haunts Him
Super Eagles midfielder, Sani Kaita has admitted to having sleepless nights after his sending-off in the 2-1 Group B defeat to Greece. The Nigerian team were leading when Kaita clashed with Vasileios Torosidis on the touchline, aiming a kick at his Greek opponent.
Kaita was shown a red card and Nigeria went on to concede two goals to put their chances of qualification for the knockout stage in jeopardy. “I cannot stop apologising to all Nigerians for making this costly mistake,” said the 24-year-old.
“I couldn’t sleep thinking about what my action has cost my country, but I hope we will win our next game (against South Korea) and qualify for the next round, where I hope to redeem my image with a good performance.
“I promise to put my life down on the pitch to ensure we go very far in this competition. And I promise that what happened will never happen again.”
Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi also has regrets after missing a relatively straightforward chance in the second half which would have put his side 2-1 up. “I was really disappointed in myself because I was a little bit too confident that I was going to score,” he admitted.
“I have to get over it, and that is what the team should do as well. We have an important game coming up against Korea, and we have to win that and hope that Argentina win against 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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