Sports
D’Tigress become first African team to break into FIBA top 10

D’Tigress of Nigeria are now placed eighth in the world based on the latest FIBA rankings.
According to the list released on Thursday by the world basketball governing body, the six-time AfroBasket champions rose four spots to become one of the top 10 teams globally.
The ranking makes D’Tigress the first African team — men or women — to break into the top 10 of the FIBA world rankings.
The team’s historical rise in the world ranking was spurred by a brilliant performance at the Paris Olympics.
D’Tigress defeated Australia in their first game to earn the team’s first victory at the Olympics in 20 years.
Although the team lost their second game to France, the ladies defeated Canada in their last group game to become the first African side to qualify for the quarter-final of the Olympic basketball event.
Nigeria eventually succumbed to the United States in the quarter-finals.
Rena Wakama, D’Tigress’ head coach, was also named the best coach of the women’s basketball event.
The US, the Olympic champions, retain the top spot in the global ranking, followed by Australia and France.
China and Spain complete the line-up for the best five teams in women’s basketball.
Sports
FIFA-banned Russia announces friendly match against Super Eagles

The Russian Football Union (RFU) says the country’s men’s national team will take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly on June 6.
RFU announced the fixture in a statement on its website on Thursday.
The match is scheduled to be played in Russia, but the time and venue are still undecided.
Russia will play two other friendly matches. The team takes on Zambia in March before facing Belarus on June 10.
RFU said it “reached agreements” with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the two other national football bodies to arrange the friendly matches.
However, Russia was banned from football by FIFA and UEFA in 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The decision suspended all Russian national teams and clubs from participating in FIFA and UEFA competitions.
But in 2023, the world football governing body relaxed the sanction to allow Russian U-17 national teams to compete in international competitions.
The youth teams are to play under the name of the ‘Football Union of Russia’ rather than Russia, in the absence of their national flag, national anthem, national-team kit and equipment, and instead playing in neutral colours.
Despite the ban, the Russian men’s national team have been playing non-FIFA-sanctioned friendly matches against non-western countries.
NFF is yet to issue an official statement about its true position on the friendly announcement by the Russian FA. If the match becomes official, it will be the first game between Nigeria and Russia at the senior level of international football.
Sports
Boniface debunks rumour of breakup with Norwegian partner over prenup

Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles striker, has dismissed rumours that he is no longer with his Norwegian partner Rikke Hermine.
The rumours emerged on social media, claiming that Boniface had ended their four-year relationship due to a dispute over a prenuptial agreement.
An X user shared a post claiming that Hermine had requested a legal marriage without a prenup, which Boniface allegedly rejected to protect his financial future.
“Nigerian footballer, Victor Boniface has reportedly ended his 4 years relationship with his Norwegian girlfriend, Rikke Herminem,” the post reads.
“According to reports, she insisted on a legal marriage without a prenup (A prenup is a contract protecting assets and finances of both parties in case of divorce or death). Boniface is now focused on safeguarding his financial future and avoiding potential pitfalls.”
Nigerian footballer, Victor Boniface has reportedly ended his 4 years relationship with his Norwegian girlfriend, Rikke Hermine.
— African Hub (@AfricanHub_) January 22, 2025
According to reports, she insisted on a legal marriage without a prenup (A prenup is a contract protecting assets and finances of both parties in case… pic.twitter.com/dkW1KgHqzu
Boniface denied the reports, describing them as “fake news and lies”.
In now-deleted posts, the Super Eagles striker stated that the reports were “unverified and unfounded”.


“Stop posting fake shit you guys know nothing about….. Una go just carry phone without knowing Wetinx Dey sup just post,” he wrote in pidgin English.
“No be everybody be like una sister. So respect urself. Everything you guys say about her are all lies.”
Sports
Haaland signs new 10-year deal with City — longest contract extension in EPL

Erling Haaland has agreed to a new 10-year deal as a Manchester City player.
The club announced the deal in a statement on its website on Friday.
“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement reads.
The length of the 24-year-old’s new deal is the longest contract extension in the English Premier League (EPL), surpassing Cole Palmer’s nine-year agreement with Chelsea.
Haaland moved to the Etihad in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian scored 52 goals in all competitions in his debut season, including 36 in the EPL to win the league’s Golden Boot prize. He also broke the league record of goals scored by a player in a single season.
His goals led Man City to an impressive treble of trophies: EPL, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
The striker has scored 111 goals in 126 games in his two-and-a-half season at the club.
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