Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigerian Coaches to Participate in NBA Summer League for the First Time. The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has extended its congratulations to Coach Ogoh Odaudu and Abdulrahman Mohammed of Rivers Hoppers Basketball Club. The duo has been selected among 25 African coaches to participate in the NBA Summer League, scheduled to take place from 12-22 July 2024, in Las Vegas, USA. This marks a historic moment for Nigerian basketball, as it is the first time coaches from Nigeria will participate in the NBA Summer League. Odaudu, assisted by Mohammed, led the Rivers Hoppers to a podium finish at…

Team Nigeria Poised for Strong Olympic Performance, Says Coach Rena Wakama. As Nigeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigress, ramps up their preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, head coach Rena Wakama has expressed her confidence in the team’s ability to excel in the upcoming competition. Coach Wakama has assured fans and supporters that D’Tigress possesses the necessary quality to perform exceptionally well when the Olympics commence in late July. Her optimism stems from the rigorous training sessions the team has been undergoing since their arrival in Germany for the pre-Olympics camp. “Based on the training sessions the players have had since…

Victor Osimhen Rejects Saudi Offer Amidst Uncertainty at Napoli. Victor Osimhen has once again turned down a lucrative offer from a Saudi Arabian club, reaffirming his commitment to seeking a future in European football. The 25-year-old Nigerian striker previously rejected a move to Al Ahli last summer and remains firm in his decision despite ongoing uncertainty about his tenure at Serie A giants Napoli. Osimhen, who has expressed his desire to leave Napoli, faces a significant hurdle in his quest for a new club. His current release clause stands at an imposing €130 million, a price tag that has…

Carlos Alcaraz Anticipates a Memorable Sunday for Spain at Wimbledon and Euro 2024 Final. Carlos Alcaraz expressed his excitement for what could be a historic day for Spain as he prepares to defend his Wimbledon title while his national football team faces England in the Euro 2024 final. The 21-year-old Spaniard secured a comeback victory over fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, winning 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 in Friday’s semi-final. Alcaraz will meet seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year’s final after the Serb triumphed over Lorenzo Musetti in the other semi-final. “It will be a good…

Former France Captain Patrice Evra Sentenced for Family Abandonment. Former France football team captain Patrice Evra has been sentenced to prison for family abandonment in France. The criminal court found Evra guilty and handed down a 12-month prison sentence with suspended probation. Evra, renowned for his illustrious football career, now faces legal troubles stemming from nearly €1 million in unpaid alimony. The court’s decision highlights the severity of the case and the obligations Evra failed to meet. The ruling underscores the importance of maintaining family responsibilities, even for high-profile individuals. The suspended probation implies that while Evra will…

ValueJet Cup Returns for Its Third Season. The much-anticipated ValueJet Cup is set to make a triumphant return for its third season. The 2024 ValueJet Cup will kick off on 24th July, with the grand finale scheduled for 31st July. Chairman of the ValueJet Cup, Otunba Tade Azeez, expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s tournament, promising top-notch organisation and participation from leading clubs. “When we birthed the ValueJet Cup in 2022, our objective was to stay consistent and grow. The organisation of the tournament keeps improving every season, and we are proud of our collective efforts to contribute…

Simba SC Signs Augustine Okejepha from Rivers United. East African football giants Simba SC have announced the signing of Augustine Okejepha from Nigerian club Rivers United. The talented player has agreed to a three-year deal with the Tanzanian side. Okejepha, whose move was confirmed hours ago, will earn a monthly salary of $6,000. In addition to this, Simba SC paid a $250,000 signing fee to Rivers United as part of the transfer agreement. The acquisition of Okejepha is seen as a significant boost for Simba SC, who are aiming to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season.…

UEFA to Split Euro 2024 Golden Boot Between Six Players if No Clear Winner Emerges. UEFA has announced that the Euro 2024 Golden Boot will be shared between six players if no clear winner emerges after the final between England and Spain on Sunday. In a similar situation three years ago at Euro 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Golden Boot despite being tied on five goals with Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick. This year, England captain Harry Kane and Spain midfielder Dani Olmo are among the six players currently tied with three goals each. The other players tied…

Football Roundup: FA Backs Southgate, Klopp in High Demand, and De Ligt Eyes Manchester United Move. The Football Association (FA) is keen for Gareth Southgate to remain as England manager, regardless of the outcome of the Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday. Southgate, who has led England to consecutive finals, has garnered significant support from the FA for his role in transforming the national team. Meanwhile, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is a top target for both the USA and Germany. The USA has made Klopp their primary candidate to replace Gregg Berhalter, as reported by the Independent.…

Nigerian Referee Association Urged to Enhance Professional Standards. In a recent meeting by the sports minister with the Nigerian Referees Association, significant discussions were held regarding the need to deepen and strengthen their professionalism to attract greater participation in FIFA and CAF-sanctioned competitions. The meeting underscored the pressing need for Nigerian referees to play more critical roles in these prestigious tournaments. Expressing his concerns, the Sports Minister John Enoh stated, “I am not happy that Nigerian referees are not playing critical roles in both FIFA and CAF-sanctioned competitions due to our failure to meet the performance and professional thresholds set…

Nigeria and Benin Face Another Showdown in CAF Confederation Cup. In yet another twist of fate, Nigeria and Benin will face off once more, this time in the CAF Confederation Cup. El-Kanemi, representing Nigeria, will go head-to-head with Benin’s Dadje FC in the opening round of the prestigious tournament. This encounter follows their draws in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. El-Kanemi, determined to make their mark in continental football, will be keen to secure a strong start against Dadje FC. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s other representative, Enyimba FC, has been exempted from the…

Bayern Munich Confirms Joao Palhinha Signing From Fulham On a Four Year Deal. Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham on a four-year contract. The Bundesliga giants confirmed the transfer on Thursday, marking another significant acquisition in their summer transfer window. Palhinha, 29, joined Fulham in 2022 and made 79 appearances for the Premier League club across all competitions. He has also been capped 31 times by Portugal’s senior national team. While the financial terms were not disclosed, The Athletic reported the deal to be worth €51 million ($55.29 million). “This is…