Brighton maintained their strong pre-international break form with victory at Sunderland, despite playing half an hour with 10 men in controversial circumstances.

Goals from Maxim de Cuyper and Jaouen Hadjam meant the Seagulls stay third in the table, two points behind joint-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.

Pascal Gross yet again was the provider for the 53rd-minute opener, a slide-rule pass out to the left to find de Cuyper who slid a low finish past home keeper Robin Roefs.

The game was almost turned on its head just four minutes later after Wilson Isidor went down under pressure from Brighton defender Pascal Struijk, who was the last man as the Sunderland forward tried to run on to a through-ball.

Neither referee Thomas Bramall nor his assistant gave a foul initially, but video assistant referee (VAR) Neil Davies intervened and called the match official to the screen. After watching the replay multiple times, Bramall gave Struijk a straight red card to disbelief from the visitors.

Brighton fended off the 11 men, however, and added a second in stoppage time when left-back Hadjam finished a counter-attack with a low strike across Roefs for his first goal for the club.

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State Chapter, has felicitated with Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club following their giant feat of winning the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL), Final Four and subsequent qualification for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Cyril Dum Wite and Comrade Tonye Orabere, noting that Hooper’s achievement was a result of hard work, dedication and commitment.

The association also commends the Rivers State government for its support towards the team, the general manager, members of the coaching crew and players of Rivers Hoopers for the victory.

“We know that Hoopers will make Nigeria proud as the sole representative of the nation at the BAL,” the statement said.

The association urged Hoopers to make the country proud by finishing on the podium, adding they should take every game seriously and not underestimate any team.

Rivers Hoppers have won the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) seven times.

2011, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2026.

They have regularly represented Nigeria on the continent, making multiple appearances in the prestigious Basketball Africa League (BAL). They also won a bronze medal at BAL in 2024, finishing in third place.

The association also congratulated the technical manager of Rivers United football club of Port Harcourt,  George.

Finidi as he was honored in the area of sports developments by the Bayelsa State Government.

Finidi was among 63 Bayelsa indigenes who were honoured for their contributions to the development of Bayelsa in various capacities in commemoration of the state’s 30th anniversary.

Findi   who has earned 62 national caps, had also coached the Nigeria Super Eagles before. Then he was awarded Coach of the Year in Nigeria in 2024 after he won the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). with Enyimba FC of Aba.

He has equally played for some notable clubs both in Nigeria and Europe; some of them are Calabar Rovers, Sharks FC, Iwuanyawu nationale, Real Betis Ipswich Town in England, and  won the European champions league with Ajax,.

SWAN Rivers State Chapter used the occasion to also join other good Nigerians to celebrate with him, saying that the honor is well deserved following Findi George’s contributions towards sports development not only in Bayelsa State but in Nigeria and beyond.

Chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Electoral Committee, Dr Lanre Glover, has confirmed that the deadline for submission of nomination forms by candidates contesting for positions on the NBBF board  closed yesterday .

Glover stressed that the date and time were sacrosanct, describing the submission deadline as one of the key provisions guiding the NBBF elections, and urged candidates to comply with the directive, warning that the committee would not entertain anyone who failed to meet the deadline.

According to him, a detailed timetable for the elections has already been made public, with stakeholders and the wider basketball community eagerly awaiting the polls that will usher in a new board to oversee the administration of the sport in Nigeria.

Glover reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to a seamless process in the build-up to a credible election, which will climax with the NBBF elective congress scheduled to hold in Abuja on October 15.

The Electoral Committee was approved at the federation’s Extraordinary Congress held in Yola, Adamawa State, where 39 of the 44 delegates in attendance endorsed a panel made up of seasoned professionals, technocrats and experienced sports administrators.

Besides Glover, the committee comprises Sr Femi Olugbile, Alhaji Sani Fema, Engr Priscilla Ngozi Iroaganachi, Major General David Lubo and Mallam Farouk Yarima, with Barrister Ichene Kalu serving as secretary.

The election timeline released by the committee reads as follows: call for nominations, September 30; deadline for submission of nominations, October 8 at 2pm; publication of the list of qualified candidates, October 10; and commencement of the elective congress in Abuja, October 15 at 9am.

Meanwhile, the South-East Basketball Association has declared its full support for the candidacy of Dr Mustapha Abdullahi ahead of the October 15, 2026 election of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

In a statement made available to the media, the association said it carefully considered the experience and programmes of the various presidential contestants before deciding to throw its weight behind Dr Abdullahi.

The association said Dr Abdullahi’s vision for grassroots development, improved basketball infrastructure, talent development and the overall growth of the game influenced its decision.

The South-East representative on the NBBF Board and vice-presidential candidate, Chief Ugo Udezue, said Dr Abdullahi has what it takes to take Nigerian basketball to the next level.

According to Udezue, Dr Abdullahi’s plans are geared towards developing basketball from the grassroots, providing the required facilities and creating opportunities for young players to discover and develop their talents.

“For the South-East, this means real investment where it has long been needed: standard courts and facilities across our states, structured youth and school competitions, stronger club and state leagues, and clear pathways for our young players to reach the national teams and professional ranks. The South-East has always produced talent. Under Dr Abdullahi, that talent will be developed here at home, and our clubs and state associations will become true partners in the growth of Nigerian basketball,” Udezue said.

Also speaking, the Head Coach of Coal City Blazers, Chief Chiedozie Nwoye, expressed his support for Dr Abdullahi, saying the clubs in the zone are proud to identify with his candidacy and are ready to work with him towards the development of basketball in the South-East.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Imo State Basketball Association, Hon. Johnbosco Okeahialam, expressed his support for Dr Abdullahi, saying he is willing to work with him to further develop basketball in Imo State and the South-East.

The South-East Basketball Association said other state basketball association chairmen in the zone have also expressed support for Dr Abdullahi’s candidacy ahead of the election.

In its statement, the South-East Basketball Association said it is 100 per cent behind the candidacy of Dr Mustapha Abdullahi and will give him every support he needs ahead of the NBBF presidential election.

The association added that it believes Dr Abdullahi’s emphasis on grassroots basketball, infrastructure and talent development could provide a strong platform for the continued growth of the sport.

The South-East Basketball Association therefore calls on all basketball stakeholders to consider the programmes and vision presented by the various contestants as the federation prepares for the October 15 election.