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Afrobasket qualifiers: D’Tigers lose all three games as first phase ends

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Nigeria’s D’Tigers lost 78-62 to Cape Verde in their third game of the qualification tournament for the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket.

D’Tigers struggled throughout the match at the Mohamed-Mzali Sports Hall, Monastir, Tunisia, on Sunday.

The defeat was Nigeria’s third consecutive defeat of the qualification tourney after losing the previous games against Libya and Uganda.

Like the earlier two games, only nine players from the 12 names on D’Tigers’ roster were available for the match against Cape Verde.

But the team showed little concern about its depleted ranks early in the game, winning the first quarter 24-16.

However, it was all Cape Verde in the second quarter as they overtook Nigeria and led 39-33 at halftime.

D’Tigers struggled extended into the third quarter as the Cape Verdeans refused to relinquish their control of the game.

In the final quarter, Cape Verde secured a 16-point victory as the first window of the qualification came to a close.

D’Tigers would need an improved performance when the second phase of the qualifiers commences in February 2025.

The group’s top three teams will qualify for the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket.

Nigeria’s preparation for the recently concluded window was plagued with controversies as D’Tigers announced its withdrawal from the qualifiers on Wednesday.

The team cited “lack of funds from the government” as the hindrance, but John Enoh, minister of sports, intervened, and arrangements were made to ensure Nigeria’s participation.

D’Tigers did not arrive in Tunisia for the competition until a few hours before their first game.

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West Ham appoints ex-Chelsea boss, Graham Potter, head coach

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English Premier League club, West Ham, has confirmed the appointment of former Chelsea boss, Graham Potter as its new head coach.

“West Ham United is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as the club’s new head coach. The 49-year-old joins the Hammers on a two-and-a-half-year contract and will take charge of his new team for the first time when the Irons travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.

“A highly-respected and sought-after coach, Potter has been awaiting the right opportunity after leaving his last role at Chelsea in April 2023 and was the Board’s unanimous choice to take the club forward in line with its objectives and ambitions.

“Potter, whose progressive style and flexible tactical approach previously impressed at Swedish club Östersund, Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion, has a passion for a return to Premier League management and is relishing the opportunity to work with West Ham United’s talented squad of international players,” the club statement read on Thursday.

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NFF appoints Eric Chelle as Super Eagles head coach

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Eric Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

The NFF announced the appointment of the Malian tactician in a statement on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old was recommended for the job by the NFF technical and development sub-committee on January 2. The federation’s executive committee endorsed the recommendation a few hours before the announcement.

He is the first-ever non-Nigerian African to be named the head coach of the Eagles.

Chelle was Mali’s head coach at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. He led the team to the quarter-final, where the country lost to the hosts in extra time.

The coach’s reaction to the loss is perhaps one of the most unforgettable scenes from the tournament. He squatted and was hyperventilating. His assistants had to douse him with bottles of water to revive him.

He had only managed a slew of clubs in the lower rungs of French football, like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne, before he joined Mali in 2022.

During his playing days, he featured five times for the Malian senior men’s national team. He also had spells at teams like Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais in France.

Chelle’s appointment takes effect immediately, and he is responsible for guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Malian’s first task will be the next round of games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. Nigeria are currently fifth in Group C of the qualifier. The team is also winless after four games.

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Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley arrested by police

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United States Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley was tasered and arrested by police following a confrontation with officers in Miami, Florida.

The 29-year-old, who won 100m bronze at last summer’s Paris Games, faces charges of battery, resisting a police officer and breach of the peace following the incident on Thursday evening.

Officers were investigating another incident when Kerley approached them with an “aggressive demeanour” over concern about his car, according to a police report.

The report said Kerley “continued to resist officers and used evasive movements to avoid being arrested” before being wrestled to the ground by four officers.

Police bodycam footage shows Kerley getting back to his feet then being tasered and falling back to the floor before being taken into custody.

Local media in Miami reported, external that on Friday Kerley made an appearance in court and he has now been released on bail.

His lawyer said the incident had been a “total misunderstanding”.

As well as his bronze in Paris, Kerley also won 100m silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and gold at the 2022 World Championships.

He has also won world 4x100m and 4x400m gold medals, and has recorded the sixth-fastest 100m time in history with 9.76 seconds.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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