Sports
Pirates Qualify For Semi-Finals
Orlando Pirates beat Golden Arrows 3-1 in the Telkom Knockout Cup semi-final played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last Saturday night.
Abafana Bes’thende seemed on course to upset the Soweto giants when they surged ahead through Robyn Johannes, but goals from Siyabonga Sangweni, Thulasizwe Mbuyane and Oupa Manyisa guided the Buccaneers into their second successive final in this competition and a fifth Cup Final within the last season and a half. Dillon Sheppard was sent off for Arrows in the second half for a second bookable offence.
After a cagey opening to the game, Pirates almost opened the scoring in the 21st minute. An innocuous-looking long ball from Siyabonga Sangweni saw Benni McCarthy out-jump Musa Bilankulu and power a header onto the crossbar, with goalkeeper Helton Da Rocha well beaten.
Bucs looked the likelier scorers in what was a tightly-contested game, but Arrows surged ahead just past the half hour mark when former Pirates player Robyn Johannes picked up a pass from Dillon Sheppard, burst through the visitors’ backline and beat Moeneeb Josephs with a low shot.
From a former Buccaneer getting on the score sheet, it was soon the turn of a former Arrows defender to level the scores: Siyabonga Sangweni redirected a shot from Rooi Mahamutsa beyond Da Rocha in the 40th minute to leave the game locked at 1-1 heading into the break.
With just under 20 minutes to play, Pirates went into the lead when good pressure from Daine Klate and a mix-up between Mzivukile Tom and Da Rocha allowed substitute Thulasizwe Mbuyane a straightforward chance to put Bucs ahead – he duly guided home a left-footed shot to make it 2-1.
Any hopes Arrows had of sending the game to extra time were snuffed out on 83 minutes when Oupa Manyisa added to Pirates’ advantage by converting a penalty. The spot kick was awarded after Dillon Sheppard fouled Lucky Lekgwathi in the 18-yard area and earned a dismissal for a second bookable offence.
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.