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D’Tigress Devour Guinea, Focus on Senegal as Next Meal

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D’Tigress consolidated their hold on top of Group B at the ongoing FIBA Afrobasket Women’s competition with another commanding 106-33points victory over Guinea.

After a good outing against Egypt, Dallas Wing player, Akhator Evelyn again recorded a double-double as she shot the team to victory and replicated the same 24 points scored in the team’s last game.

With seven rebounds, three assists and four steals against the Guineans, Akhator ensured that her team retained their lead all through the game as they coasted to another comfortable win.

Ogoke Sarah who was at the heart of the team’s offensive transition scored 13points and had two assists with home girl, Akashili Nkechi having two assists and scoring 12 points against the rattled Guineans.

On her part, Elonu Adaora recorded 11 points, 2 steals and two rebounds.

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For the third time in the competition, all the registered 12 players recorded their names on the score sheet with Atletico Lanus (Argentina) player Nwaigwe Ugochi, the lowest, weighing in with four points.

Speaking after the game, Elephant Girls basketball club of Lagos player, Akashili described the game against Guinea as a test run ahead of the all-important encounter against defending champions Senegal on Wednesday.

“Guinea is not really a strong team. We just played them to boost our game against Senegal tomorrow.”

Speaking further, Akashili revealed that their game plan which was to use more of their big men against Guinea in preparation against a more physical Senegalese side actually worked as planned.

“Now, we know how to play Senegal with our big men. For Senegal, they have size on their side. So we put it into practice against Guinea as we used more of the big men and it worked.”

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For Nwaigwe, the game against Guinea was better than their last three games which has given her the hope of a good outing in their next game.

“I feel like today was a lot better game. We are gelling together, our defence is getting a lot better and we needed this win for Senegal so that we can take it to them a bit more focused. I am really excited for tomorrow.”

According to her, everybody contributed on and off the court which made the victory sweeter.

For Israel based Nyingifa Atonye Jennifer, their victory was a testament to their continued improvement as individual players and a team.

“It was a slow start for me to get adjusted to a new team, new players, but, with each game, I think our game is improving. We are getting better. Our team chemistry is going up and I think we have a really good chance to take this momentum all the way to the finals.

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“A lot of us are actually moving around our positions to make us flexible in every spot and it makes our offence flow a lot better,” Nyingifa concluded.

 

 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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