Sports
Mba, Desperate To Play Football Again
Super Eagles Sunday Mba is keen to get his promising career back on track.
He has not played club football since scoring the Super Eagles’ winning goal in the Africa Cup of Nations final in South Africa two months ago.
The 24-year-old is currently at the centre of a transfer row between Nigerian Premier League clubs Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers.
“It’s frustrating when you train hard but are then prevented from playing football,” he said recently.
Back in January Mba believed he was free to leave Warri Wolves for another Nigerian Premier football League club.
But the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ruled in March that he still has a valid contract with Warri Wolves and that Enugu Rangers, who he wants to join, must pay a transfer fee.
However, the two clubs are yet to agree a fee for the midfielder.
“My career was given a big lift after the tournament in South Africa but everything looks dark at the moment,” he said.
“I wanted to continue my progress in the league and hopefully move to Europe when the right offer and club approach my team.
“Sadly I’m at a crossroad and this is not my own doing, the exact reason it’s frustrating and depressing.”
His lack of playing time meant he struggled to impress for Nigeria last month as the African champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Kenya in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
“I hope it can be concluded as soon as possible because I need to get my career going,” he said.
“I’m training with Enugu Rangers, they are making a strong effort to get it sorted but somehow it’s still not sorted.
“I want to play football, I want to live my dream and right now I’m losing out on that desire.
“I can only appeal to those involved to consider my career and come to agreement because my development is suffering.”
Despite his lack of playing time Mba has been included in Stephen Keshi’s squad for the Super Eagles’s World Cup qualifiers and their Confederations Cup campaign in Brazil in June.
As well as scoring the only goal of the Nations Cup final against Burkina Faso he also grabbed the winner in Nigeria’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Ivory Coast 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.