Sports
Mensah To Rebuild Career At Rennes
Former Sunderland de-fender, John Mensah, has said that he is keen to get an extended run of football at French side Rennes after overcoming his injury woes.
Mensah’s career has been dogged by persistent injury that has cost him the Ghana captaincy and his place in the Black Stars squad.
Similar setbacks cost him a permanent deal at English side Sunderland and led to a contract termination at parent club Lyon last summer.
He rejoined Stade Rennes in January.
Now, the 30-year-old is focused on breaking into the first team.
“I was a bit unlucky with injuries and spent a bit of time out of the game,” Mensah told BBC Sport in France.
“It’s difficult when you come back from a long injury; it’s very hard because you are afraid of suffering another setback.
“Sometimes I get frustrated, but what else can I do? Injury is part of football so there is nothing I can do.
“There were hard moments with the doctors and physios, but those tough days are well behind me.
“Right now I’m fully fit but I need games to regain my confidence and a place in the squad.
“It’s tough because the regular players are doing well. It hasn’t been easy but I understand how difficult it is for the manager as well.”
Mensah is now three months into a six-month deal, and is hoping to extend his stay at the club he captained in 2008.
“They know what I’m capable of doing when I’m fit and on the pitch from my previous stay here,” he said.
“I got the chance to come here. I hope I’ll also get the chance to play and prove my injury days are well behind me.”
Nicknamed ‘The Rock of Gibraltar’ in his native Ghana on account of his reliability in defence, Mensah is looking back at his best days for motivation.
“At Sunderland I put in a great performance, same at Lyon. I thank God that what I did in England is still being appreciated by the fans,” said Mensah, who was a firm favourite with the Black Cats spporters.
“For now I am not thinking of the national team, I know if I get to play regularly with Rennes, I could get a chance to return for Ghana.
“Some people expected me back as the captain but realistically, I need to earn my return with regular action and full fitness to be recalled.”
The former Ghana captain spent six years in Italy before moving to France in January 2006.
He played 67 games for Lyon between 2008 and 2012.
Mensah has 82 Ghana caps but did not make the squad for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
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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