Sports
Black Satellites, Flying Eagles For World Youth Challenge
World Cup Under-20 champions Ghana are among four teams which will participate in the Cape Town International Challenge, set for April 7-10.
The other three countries that will do battle are 4-time Under-20 World champions Brazil, African giants Nigeria, a side who have traditionally been one of the continent’s top youth team performers, and the South African national Under-20 side, Amajita.
Players that participate at this tournament could well go on to star at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Two venues will be used – the Newlands Stadium, and the Cape Town Stadium, which will play host to eight matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June and July this year.
The tournament will be used as a test run for the World Cup, while it will also offer Cape Town fans who could not afford or who were unable to secure tickets for the World Cup, the chance to take in world class action at a very affordable cost – tickets are priced at R20 – R30.
While top class action will be on show, perhaps the most crucial purpose of this tournament will be to provide organisers with a gauge of just how ready Cape Town is to host the World Cup proper.
“This is another step in the evolution towards the World Cup. We have already had two test events – the soccer match (between Ajax and Santos) which hosted 20 000, a rugby match (between Western Province and Boland), which had 40 000 spectators,” said deputy Mayor Ian Neilson.
“There will be a Christian prayer event on the March 22, and the Cape Town international Challenge will be the fourth event, and will host 65 000 people.
“This event will stretch us to the limit; it will ensure we are tested with a full stadium. Many of the eight World Cup games will be at night (as will the matches at the International Challenge), so it will provide us with an indicator of how we can cope with a full stadium at night time,” said Neilson.
Director of Sports and Recreation, Gert Bam, added: “We have worked closely with SAFA Cape Town to get this event going. The City has deemed it fit as our final test because of the significance of the event and the competitors.
“We have made it affordable for people throughout the city to attend. Its going to be a wonderful experience and the people of Cape Town are in for a treat.”
SAFA Cape Town will be working closely with the 24 Local Football Associations to try and tap into the 100 000 amateur players in the region to ensure capacity crowds.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
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