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Rivers Hoopers Acquire Ezeli For BAL

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Rivers Hoopers have completed the signing of 2015 NBA Champion, Festus Ezeli, ahead of the Basketball Africa League in May.
Ezeli who last took the floor for an NBA game in the 2016 NBA Finals, becomes the fourth signing for the KingsMen, after Ben Uzoh, Taren Sullivan and Chris Daniels all joined this week.
The 6ft 11 Center last played for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G-League, affiliate of the New York Knicks.
Festus Ezeli needs no introduction in the world of Basketball, as he is well-known for his triumph with the Golden State Warriors in the 2015 NBA finals. His interior defense and ability to guide the rim will help bolster Hoopers’ defensive ranks when BAL tips off in May.
It is the first time Ezeli will be playing for a Nigerian basketball side.
With Ezeli now in the books of the KingsMen, Rivers Hoopers will now switch attention away from transfers, as all four slots for Foreign and African Basketball players have been filled.
Each team participating in the Basketball Africa League, were given four slots, to sign two players from outside Africa and two from Africa or with African heritage.
The Basketball Africa League will dunk off on May 16th with 12 teams from across Africa at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda.

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Everton Hold Bournemouth At Vitality  

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Everton captain James Tarkowski struck a 91st-minute equaliser as the Toffees denied Bournemouth victory at Vitality Stadium.

It looked like Bournemouth were heading for a win in new boss Marco Rose’s first home game in charge after Alex Scott’s first-half goal.

But Tarkowski thumped home the leveller, capitalising on confusion inside the Bournemouth box following a corner.

Scott’s deflected effort from the edge of the box in the 41st minute, after some fine work from Evanilson on the right wing, had put the Cherries in front.

Up until the opener, it was Everton who had created the better of chances in an action-packed first half.

The visitors had gone close through a Jarrad Branthwaite header in the 10th minute, while Thierno Barry failed to turn in a rebound after Tyrique George’s initial effort was saved by Djordje Petrovic.

But it was Bournemouth who found a way through first. Evanilson chased a long ball forward, then beat James Tarkowski and picked out Scott to score.

Everton went close to an equaliser before half-time but Barry could only hit the side-netting following a quick break, while the in-form striker was also denied by Petrovic from close range early in the second half.

David Moyes’ side then had appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Chris Kavanagh when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall went down in the box after making contact with James Hill.

But they finally scored the equaliser after both Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie failed to clear Hayden Hackney’s corner and the ball fell for skipper Tarkowski to rescue a point.

 

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Fury, Joshua Fight Sealed

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Fury, (left) and Joshua

The proposed blockbuster fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been signed and will go ahead, according to Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Fury had suggested on Friday that the long-awaited all-British showdown was unlikely to happen, but Hearn insisted the fight is contractually agreed.

“We’ve signed the contract, we’re waiting for a date,” Hearn told Tidesports source yesterday.

Hearn said neither fighter could simply withdraw from the agreement.

“The fight’s signed. No-one can pull out of the fight. You can’t just pull out of a contract,” he said.

The main issue still to be resolved is where the fight will take place.

The bout had been expected to happen in the United Kingdom in November, but Saudi organisers Sela are pushing for it to be staged in the United States.

Joshua and Fury have separate contracts with Sela, with New York’s Madison Square Garden reportedly among the preferred venues.

The fight is also expected to be broadcast on Netflix.

Hearn said the Joshua camp would prefer the fight to remain in Britain but could consider a move to the United States under the right terms.

“We know everybody and his dog involved in the fight wants to do the fight in America. We don’t,” Hearn said.

The promoter added that discussions with Sela were continuing, but stressed that there was no indication the fight itself was in danger of falling apart.

“We’ve told Sela and the team, ‘If you want to do it in America, these are the terms that we can move forward with. But we’d rather not please,’” he said.

Fury and Joshua have been expected to meet in one of the biggest fights in British boxing history, with the venue and date now the major outstanding details.

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Arsenal Want Osimhen To Take Pay Cut

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Arsenal want Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, to accept a reduction in his wage demands as a condition for completing a move to the Emirates before the summer transfer window closes.

The Gunners remain hopeful of landing the Nigeria international, with manager Mikel Arteta keen to strengthen his attacking options after failing to convince Atletico Madrid to sell Julian Alvarez, who is said to prefer a move to Barcelona over a return to the Premier League.

According to sources, Arsenal have held direct talks over a deal for Osimhen but are unwilling to make an excessive contract offer, leaving any potential agreement dependent on the striker’s willingness to compromise on his salary.

The 27-year-old currently earns in excess of €20 million (£17.1m) annually at Galatasaray, a figure Arsenal are said to be unwilling to match. Negotiating a fee could prove another obstacle, with Galatasaray president, Dursun Ozbek, insisting the striker is not for sale, a stance underlined by the club’s rejection of a €130 million (£111m) offer from Saudi Pro League side, Al-Hilal, earlier this month.

Having missed out on Osimhen, Al-Hilal reportedly turned their attention to Aston Villa striker, Ollie Watkins, only for their latest £45 million approach to also be rejected, further highlighting the difficulty clubs are facing in prising top forwards away from their current sides this summer.

Despite the ongoing speculation over his future, Osimhen has enjoyed a strong start to the season in Turkey.

He scored twice and provided an assist in Galatasaray’s 4-0 away win over Erzurumspor on Friday, having also netted twice in a 2-2 draw with Corum FK. The forward is expected to continue leading the line for the Turkish champions as Arsenal await his decision on a possible switch to the Premier League.

Arsenal began their Premier League title defence with a convincing victory against newly promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta ended the club’s 22-year wait for a league title last season – and with a faultless display against Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues in their opener, his team reminded the rest of the league why they are favourites to retain the crown.

First-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put the reigning champions firmly in control, and captain Martin Odegaard added a third soon after the restart to seal a comfortable win on the opening day of the campaign.

Arsenal began their Premier League title defence with a convincing victory against newly promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta ended the club’s 22-year wait for a league title last season – and with a faultless display against Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues in their opener, his team reminded the rest of the league why they are favourites to retain the crown.

First-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put the reigning champions firmly in control, and captain Martin Odegaard added a third soon after the restart to seal a comfortable win on the opening day of the campaign.

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