Sports
Igesund Continues As S’Africa Coach
Gordon Igesund has
been given the backing of the South Africa Football Association to continue as coach of the national football team.
There had been speculation in the media that he would be sacked following a poor performance at the recent African Nations Championship.
South Africa hosted the tournament for locally-based players but failed to reach the second round.
After their exit the team was branded “a bunch of losers’’ by the country’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula.
A joint meeting of the Safa Technical and International Affairs Committees on Thursday confirmed that Igesund will at least complete his contract, that runs until the end of June.
Igesund will announce his squad tomorrow to face five-time World Cup winners Brazil in a friendly on 5 March in Johannesburg.
In a statement released after the meeting Safa acknowledged: “that the Head Coach has failed to deliver on his mandates for the 2014 Fifa World Cup, the AFCON 2013 Tournament as well as the CHAN 2014 Tournament.
“The meeting decided that the Association does not want to act in an impromptu manner but rather, must plan systematically for immediate and future programs of the Men’s Senior National Team and all of the other national teams, men and women.
“In this regard, the meeting decided that the Head Coach must continue with his work and in particular, get the Men’s Senior National Team ready for the match between Bafana Bafana and Brazil scheduled for 05 March 2014.”
It added that further discussions will be held “to ensure that we have certainty around the national team for the next Fifa World Cup cycle.”
The meeting also decided that Safa will appoint a technical director next month to work with Igesund “to ensure full and systematic integration of the objectives and programmes of all national teams.”
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.