Sports
JUST IN: FIBA replaces D’Tigress with Mali for 2022 World Cup — after FG ban
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has confirmed that Nigeria will not participate in the 2022 Women’s World Cup billed for Sydney, Australia, later in the year.
The world basketball governing body announced the decision in a statement on Thursday morning.
Last month, Sunday Dare, minister of sports and youth development, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had agreed to withdraw Nigeria from competing in any international basketball competition for the next two years.
The minister added that the ban is part of efforts by the government to revamp the sport from the grassroots.
The move came amid the ongoing power tussle within the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
In the statement, FIBA said the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) “is unable to confirm its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.”
Consequently, it said D’Tigress would be replaced by Mali at the competition.
FIBA added that it “will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course.”
“FIBA was informed about the decision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withdraw the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) from all international basketball competitions and activities for a period of two years,” the statement read.
“In subsequent communications with the NBBF, and despite FIBA’s request, it has become clear that against the circumstances created by the government’s decision, the NBBF is unable to confirm its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.
“Given the multiple strict deadlines that cannot be postponed in order to ensure the successful staging of a major international event (visa procedures, schedules, ticket sales, accommodations, friendly games, preliminary rosters, flight tickets, accreditations, etc.) and to protect the integrity of the competition, the FIBA Executive Committee has decided as follows.
“Nigeria’s withdrawal from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 is confirmed.
“Mali, as the next ranked team from Group B of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, is invited to participate in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022
“FIBA will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course.”
Sports
Chelsea to sign 18-year-old Hafiz Umar from Ojodu City
Chelsea FC are reportedly set to sign 18-year-old Hafiz Umar from Ojodu City academy in Nigeria.
According to a report by Fabrizio Romano, an Italian journalist, the Blues plan to purchase the Nigerian after a “very positive trial” with the club’s academy.
Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with Ojodu City for a deal that would see Hafiz join the club or be loaned out to Strasbourg in the French Ligue 1.
Hafiz impressed scouts across Europe with his performance at the Viareggio Cup, a youth competition in Italy, in February.
He scored nine goals for Ojodu City, which reached the semi-final but lost to Beyond Limits of Ikenne, the eventual winner.
The Kano-born striker was initially on trial at Bodo/Glimt FC in Norway. But he opted out of a permanent deal after Chelsea showed interest.
Hafiz was convinced to join Chelsea on trial after a video call with Raheem Sterling in March.
Hafiz is not the only Nigerian youngster who has switched from Nigerian clubs to European heavyweights.
In 2023, Internazionale Milan signed 18-year-old Ebenezer Akinsanmiro from Remo Stars.
Later that year, Benjamin Frederick, former Flying Eagles star, joined Bretford City in the English Premier League (EPL).
Sports
FC Barcelona fires head coach Xavi Hernandez
FC Barcelona has fired its head coach Xavi Hernandez as confirmed in an official club statement released on Friday afternoon in Spain.
“The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, announced this afternoon to Xavi Hernández that he will not continue as coach of the first team in the 2024-25 season,” the statement began.
“The meeting took place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and the sports vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, as well as Xavi’s assistants, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre, were present.
”FC Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, which adds to an unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world.
“Xavi Hernández will lead his last game as first team coach this Sunday in Seville.
“In the coming days, FC Barcelona will inform about the new structure of the first team,” the statement concluded.
The development is the latest of a series of twist and turns related to who mans the Blaugrana dugout.
In January, Xavi announced that he would be stepping down from the high pressure head coach role on June 30.
Later in April, however, he went back on that decision following a meeting with Laporta and it was announced that he had agreed to see out his contract which expires on the same date in 2025.
Sports
Chelsea part ways with Pochettino after one season
Chelsea has announced the exit of Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s head coach after only one season at the helm of affairs.
In a statement on the club’s website, Chelsea said both parties “mutually agreed to part ways”.
Pochettino’s exit comes a few days after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, where the Blues finished sixth in the English Premier League (EPL). He also led the team to the Carabao Cup final before losing to Liverpool.
The Argentine joined Chelsea in May 2023, replacing Frank Lampard, who had been interim manager following Graham Potter’s exit a few months prior.
Speaking on his exit, Pochettino expressed gratitude to the leadership of Chelsea, adding that the club “is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come”.
“Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history. The club is now well-positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come,” the manager said.
Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s sporting directors, said Pochettino “will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time.”
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time, and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career,” the directors said.
Pochettino’s assistants — Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano Pochettino — will also leave the club.
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