Sports
Basketball: Envoy Applauds D’Tigress’ Feats
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mali, Mr Ken Nwachukwu has hailed the Musa Kida-led Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the National Women Senior Basketball Team for raising Nigeria’s global status at the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket
D’Tigress were unbeaten in their seven matches to the final of the continental championship.
Tide sports gathered that the girls defeated formidable teams, including defending champion, Senegal and the hosts Mali, 48-47 points in their semi-final match last Saturday in Bamako.
Nwachukwu commended NBBF and D’Tigress during their courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Bamako, Mali.
During interaction with the tram, led by NBBF President Kida, some board members and D’Tigress, the envoy said sport was an element of power.
“In international relations, there is something we call elements of power, they include population, education, minerals, human resources and sports.
“Given your accomplishment at this tournament, you have become part of the power projection of our country, Nigeria,” he said.
The ambassador, at a dinner for the team, said resounding victories recorded after their group games had not gone unnoticed on the streets of Bamako and throughout Africa.
“Your gallantry has again confirmed the giant status of Nigeria on the continent,” he noted. He praised the new NBBF board for assembling a crop of dedicated players and a sound technical crew which had not only shown commitment to duty but also defended integrity of the country. He added that the Federal Government was aware of their patriotism.
“Let me inform you that the President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari is aware that you are here. Despite just returning to the country recently, in his usual meticulous self, he knows you are here on international assignment and he is monitoring your progress,” he said. Nwachukwu urged the team to sustain their winning streak throughout the tournament.
He added that if the momentum showed by the current board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.
“Coming to Mali and going unbeaten is part of power projection. When you walk as a Nigerian on the streets of Bamako, you walk as a star by what you have done.”
He added that if the momentum showed by the board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.
Responding, the NBBF president said the dominant performance of the team was due to the new policy statement of his board on athletes’ welfare after their swearing-in.
“In fulfilment of our mandate as a board, Nigerian players all over the world are our clients because without them there will be no basketball federation.
“Players are now free to express their opinion and table their grievances which has given them a new status.
“They now see themselves as an integral part of the system rather than just mere tools in the hands of administrators.”
“The accommodation arrangements during their weeklong camping and prompt payment of their entitlements, have shown that players welfare is paramount to the new NBBF.
“Players and the coaching crew have nothing to worry about than just to play basketball,” Kida said.
He later presented Nwachukwu with a replica jersey of the team during the event.
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.