Sports
2016 Olympics: D’Tigers Proud Of Performance, Eager For More
Although Nigeria failed to reach medal range in the men’s basketball event of the ongoing Rio Olympic Games, top national players have said that the outing will not be the country’s last.
The national men’s senior team, D’Tigers were beaten by Brazil, 86-69 in the men’s event at Carioca Arena during their last Group B match which ended any chance of progession at the games.
The national team had lost to Argentina, Lithuania and beat Croatia 90-76 before bowing to the fire dunking of the hosts Brazil.
Alade Aminu and Josh Akognon told a post match conference that in spite of losing all but one of their matches, the participation would not be their last to the Olympic Games.
“I don’t think this is the last time you’ll see us at an Olympic Games. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’’ said Aminu, a power forward.
“Our performance was in our hands, we had a chance. Unfortunately it didn’t happen.’’
On Nigeria’s play, he said: “Honestly, I think we showed a lot of people that we are a team to be reckoned with.
“I think when teams play us they know they’re in for a fight, we made a name for ourselves even though we didn’t have the result that we wanted.
“If you play Nigeria you know it’s going to be a challenge, it’s not going to be just an easy game,’’ Aminu said.
He added that though they didn’t get the wins they wanted, he thought they did do a lot of good things.
“I think we definitely are looking forward to making 2020 and be there doing something big for Nigeria in the Olympics.’’
On the country’s performance in Africa, he said that “I think it has inspired many people.
“In the past, you never heard of Nigerian basketball at the Olympics and winning gold medal in AfroBasket.
“So, I think it has inspired a lot of people. Nigerians, especially and the entire continent of Africa; I think we’re trail blazers.
“We’re making a name for Nigerian basketball and African basketball in general.
“It’s possible to play at the Olympic level and to win and the next step will be looking forward to winning a medal’’.
On the team’s chemistry, he added that “some of these teams have been together for 10 to 13 years. We’ve been together for four years.
“When you have the chemistry of those teams that have been together for 10 years plus like Spain and Argentina, it really helps in this kind of situation, to play at the highest level.
“As we continue to stay together, you’re going to see a real good product on the court, moving forward’’.
A Point Guard, Akognon reacting said: “For the Olympic experience, I’ve been away from my wife and children all summer, I love the experience but I’m ready to go back to them too.
“We felt great to represent our country but at the same time we feel bad, not being able to get into the medal round and do better.
“Even after the last game (a win over Croatia), I didn’t see what it was to be so happy about when you’re 1 and 3, as a competitor, you’re not thinking that 1 and 3 is great.
“For me, the whole experience is up and down. But overall, with my brothers and teammates and our fans, it’s been a great experience,’’
he said.
Sports
Tottenham Fight Back To Hold Brighton
Tottenham fought back from two-goals down to secure a deserved point against Brighton.
The Seagulls were second best for much of the match but found themselves 2-0 up after 31 minutes thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s early strike and Yasin Ayari’s powerful drive.
However, Richarlison halved the deficit just before half-time when he stopped a shot by Mohammed Kudus before slotting in.
Spurs dominated the second half but their finishing let them down as Richarlison and substitute Xavi Simons were both unable to make the most of promising opportunities.
But the equaliser came eight minutes from time when Jan Paul van Hecke turned Kudus’ cross into his own net.
Spurs then pushed for a winner as they looked to continue their impressive start to the season, but Brighton held on for the point.
Bundesliga: Kane Continues Goal Harvest (5)
Harry Kane scored his second hat-trick of the season as Bayern Munich overcame a shaky start to win at Hoffenheim and continue their 100% start.
The England captain, 32, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a clinical first-time finish from a cleverly worked low corner, and doubled Bayern’s lead from the spot after Albian Hajdari was harshly penalised for a handball.
That broke Hoffenheim’s resistance and Kane completed his ninth Bundesliga hat-trick with another penalty, given for a foul on substitute Michael Olise after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
This time Kane sent home keeper Oliver Baumann the wrong way for his 13th Bayern goal in seven matches across all competitions this season, adding to his Champions League double against Chelsea last Wednesday.
“Hat-trick Harry is what they called me in school,” Kane told Tidesports source after the match. “That one kind of stuck when I was younger.”
“Any ball in the box, whether penalty or not, I back myself to hit the target.”
Hoffenheim had the better of the first 45 minutes, Fisnik Asllani only able to hit the post after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer passed straight to the Kosovan.
They eventually got some reward for their efforts, former West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal’s deflected free-kick beating Neuer to earn the Czech his first goal for the club.
Ex-Liverpool winger Luis Diaz hit the top of the bar late on as he failed to continue his record of scoring in every Bundesliga game this season, but Serge Gnabry added a fourth for Bayern with the last kick, converting a rebound from a tight angle after Baumann saved from Joshua Kimmich.
Nicolas Jackson made his first start since joining Bayern on an initial loan deal from Chelsea, but the Senegal striker had a very quiet game before being replaced in the 62nd minute.
In Italy, Lorenzo Pellegrini fired Roma into the Serie A top four as Lazio had two players sent off in a fiery derby.
The midfielder found the bottom corner in the 38th minute as Roma extended their unbeaten run to four games against their city rivals.
Lazio have lost three of their opening games of the season and had Reda Belahyane and former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi dismissed in late drama.
Roma started well and Rome-born Pellegrini claimed the vital goal – his fourth in a Rome derby after being available for transfer in the summer – following good work down the right by Matias Soule.
But the hosts will rue missed opportunities as Boulaye Dia, Mattia Zaccagni and Alessio Romagnoli all had openings.
With four minutes left substitute Belahyane was shown a red card for a late studs-up challenge on Manu Kone.
Danilo Cataldi struck the outside of the post for Lazio in a last-gasp effort to snatch a point, while team-mate Guendouzi was sent off for dissent after the final whistle.
Sports
Zidane’s Son Switches Allegiance To Algeria
Luca Zidane, the son of France’s World Cup-winning playmaker Zinedine, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria.
Born just outside Marseille, the 27-year-old goalkeeper had appeared for France at various youth levels.
The move, which was approved by Fifa, may enable Zidane to follow in his father’s footsteps by appearing at a World Cup, with Algeria expected to secure a place at the 2026 finals in North America in their qualifier against Somalia next month.
Zidane, who is the second of four brothers, all of whom came through the Real Madrid academy, currently plays for Spanish second tier side Granada.
He played two matches for Madrid and has La Liga experience at Rayo Vallecano, but dropped a level in 2022 to play for Eibar before heading to Andalusia in 2024.
Zidane qualifies for the North African country through his father, whose parents hailed from the Kabylie region of Algeria.
Zinedine Zidane, who is regarded as one of the games greatest players scored twice for France in their 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, but was famously sent-off in the 2006 final, which was won by Italy after a penalty shootout.
Sports
Man Utd Beat Chelsea To Ease Pressure
Manchester United capitalised on Robert Sanchez’s fifth-minute red card to secure a crucial victory over Chelsea in torrential rain at Old Trafford.
The first match in Premier League history to see two or more goals, red cards and substitutions in the first half was settled by goals from United skipper Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who was the other player sent off before the break.
It was Sanchez’s dismissal that set the course of the game though.
The Spain international raced from his goal to meet Bryan Mbeumo as the striker ran beyond the Chelsea defence.
Sanchez then upended the forward outside his area rather than allow him past to tap the ball into an empty net.
Enzo Maresca’s response to the red card was to take off both Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian and, as Cole Palmer had to be replaced after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury, Chelsea had lost three attacking players in the space of 20 minutes.
Trevor Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea with a header 10 minutes from time but United kept their nerves at bay to make it to the final whistle with their lead intact.
The victory was United’s second of the season and came in front of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who gave head coach Ruben Amorim assurances over his future 48 hours earlier.
It also means Chelsea have still not won at Old Trafford since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was United manager.
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