Sports
‘More Work To Be Done In Super Eagles’
An assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Ike Shorunmu, has said that more work will still be done on the team to put the players in proper shape before their match in September.
Shorunmu, the goalkeeper trainer and former Eagles keeper, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar early in the week.
He said that in the Nation’s Cup qualifying match against Rwanda, it was observed that the team was caving in under pressure from their opponents, especially in the dying minutes of the game.
The coach said the technical crew would work on the team’s strength and other lapses noticed during the game.
The trainer said though the team was under pressure to score more goals, they would gradually find their rhythm.
“You can see, when we started this journey, we did a lot of plus and minus. And the way it is now, and the way it is going now, I think in the near future, we will have a good team.
“But in a way there is a lot of pressure that we are just scoring only one goal. When you are building a team, it is better you start like this.
“Because when you give the impression to the masses, started scoring four, five goals in the beginning of your building, it’s a big pressure.
“But with this, that means that we still need to work more as a coach to the team to get a better team for the future.’’
Shorunmu said the handlers of the team would put their acts together and brainstorm on the way forward for the team.
On Vincent Enyeama, Shorunmu said the mistake he made in Malawi which made the Malawians to equalise against Nigeria in their 1-1 draw could happen to any goalkeeper.
He said the mistake was not deliberate and that Enyeama had since put that aside and was concentrating on future games.
Shorunmu said the goalkeeper’s job was very sensitive, noting that in the past, Enyeama had saved the country in crucial matches.
“I have been talking with him and he has responded well to our trainings.
“He was good in the match against Rwanda. It is good to give the goalkeeper confidence so that he can perform well.’’
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.