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D’Tigers players confident of victory at Afrobasket Cup

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Three home-based D’Tigers players, who debut for the senior national male basketball team at Stankovic Cup in China, have expressed confidence in Nigeria clinching the Afrobasket Nations Cup in Cote d’Ivoire in August.

Nigeria clinched the third position at the second stage of the Cup held between June 27 and July 9 in Guangzhou, China.

The national team players told newsmen in Lagos that they were happy of being part of the bronze medal winning squad at the Cup.

The players noted that the exposure they had during the competition had imparted positively on them, and they commended the Nigeria Basketball Federation for the opportunity.

Nkem Ojougboh, the Captain of Comets Club of Lagos, said that with the exposure, they were confident that Nigeria would clinch the forthcoming Afrobasket Nations Cup in Cote d’Ivoire.

“For me, the experience I had at the Stankovic Cup is unforgettable and it will help me to do better in other international competitions.

“I had a wonderful experience playing with other quality players from other clubs, most especially foreign clubs.

“We had two weeks training camp in Abuja before we left for China. It was great getting used to other players and understanding the drills of the national team.

“We have a good chance of doing well in Abidjan, considering our next camp coming up in the U.S. The drilling and training would make us as well prepared,’’ Ojougboh said.

In the same vein, Micheal Ohiero, a guard for Mark Mentors Club of Abuja, described his experience as a great one, saying they wanted to do better than coming third in the competition.

“We came third in the Cup in China, we could have done better, but it was still a brilliant outing for us.

“We have a better chance of doing well in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, if we continue with the crop of players we have.

“I believe in my teammates and the coaching crew and also in the federation in all that is being done for our successful outing in Abidjan,’’ Ohiero said.

Contributing, Yahaya Abdulwahab, a forward player for Mark Mentors, said that it was a great experience of being selected to play for Nigeria as a home-based player.

“The basics that I have learnt playing in the local league were very vital to my role with the national team.

“We are going to have a better chance of doing well in Abidjan when we come back together to train and practice with much time at our advantage.

“We just have two weeks of rest before we get back to camp in Orlando, Florida, U.S., where we will be together for another four weeks.

“This is good enough for us to know one another better and understand the game strategies that we will use to conquer in Abidjan,’’ Abdulwahab said.

The two Mark Mentors players also affirmed their confidence in their team’s chances of excelling in the DStv/Final Four playoff coming up later in the year in Lagos.

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Amusan places third in Diamond League opener

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World record holder Tobi Amusan finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles as the 2026 Diamond League season opened in Shanghai on Saturday, Tidesports source reports.

The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.

Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.

Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.

Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.

The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.

Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.

Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.

Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.

“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”

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Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Senegal in a double-header international friendly during the June FIFA women’s international window as the African champions step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tidesports source reports. 

The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.

The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.

“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.

“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”

The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.

With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.

The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.

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Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye

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The organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have announced the appointment of Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye as the head of the medical unit for the 11th edition of the prestigious event, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.

As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.

His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.

In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.

It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.

Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.

Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.

We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.

Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.

It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.

The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.

The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.

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