SPORTS
Cricket W/Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria Loses to Namibia by 59 Runs

Team Nigeria on Friday lost her second game to Namibia by 59 runs at the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Botswana.
The game at the Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) oval in Gaborone saw Namibia winning the toss and electing to bat.
Namibia’s Adri van der Merwe’s 18 runs in 12 balls, including three boundary hits, as well as teammate Yasmeen Khan’s 29 runs in 33 balls was instrumental to the team’s victory.
Aside the duo, Kayleen Green’s 29 runs in 21 balls also contributed to the team’s total score of 125 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
The second innings saw the opening partnership of Esther Sandy and Kehinde Abdul-Quadri secure Nigeria 21 runs in the first four overs.
The fall of Sandy and Abdul-Quadri in the fifth over, saw Nigeria struggle against the 23rd ranked side.
The team was, however, limited to 66 runs for the loss of seven wickets, also in 20 overs.
At the end of the game, Coach Onome Oghenekevwe said the team showed too much respect to their opponents.
“It was tough, we played against a very sound opponent though we believe we could have done better than what we did. The girls showed too much respect to the Namibian side.
“At a point in time, the game slipped out of our hands, but we came back stronger, tried to contain them and limited them to 125 runs in the first innings.
“We had a very good start in the second innings. We were on 20 runs in the first four overs and was hoping to capitalise on that.
“ But the moment we lost two wickets, the whole thing started crumbling and we couldn’t survive the onslaught from the Namibians,’’ he said.
Team Nigeria will clash with Uganda on Saturday, before meeting Cameroon on Sept. 13, all in group B.
Meanwhile, Group A comprises hosts, Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Only one team is expected to qualify from the 11-nation tournament ending on Sept. 19. (NAN)
SPORTS
Tinubu Hails Super Falcons for Winning 10th WAFCON Title

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Falcons on their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they clinched a record 10th continental title.The Nigerian team staged a dramatic comeback on Saturday night in Rabat, Morocco, defeating the hosts 3-2 in front of a passionate home crowd to lift the trophy.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the team’s performance as a testament to the resilience and fighting spirit of Nigerians.Tinubu said, “The Super Falcons’ spectacular performance tonight in Rabat, coming from behind to beat a spirited Moroccan side playing in front of a passionate home crowd, exemplifies the determination that defines the Nigerian spirit.
”“With hard work, dedication, and tenacity, you have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for. The nation looks forward to welcoming our champions. Congratulations! Nigeria celebrates you,” he added.SPORTS
Okoye Banned over Betting Scandal

Udinese and Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month ban by the Italian Football Federation following a high-profile betting scandal linked to a match against Lazio during the 2023/2024 season.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper was found guilty of sporting misconduct after allegations emerged that he deliberately sought a yellow card during the league match against Lazio.
The suspicious booking triggered an investigation into abnormal betting patterns related to that specific incident.
According to a statement from the FIGC, Okoye was accused of intentionally committing an act that led to his caution in order to influence betting outcomes.
The case has raised fresh concerns over the integrity of players’ conduct and the growing influence of illegal betting syndicates on professional football.
Following a thorough disciplinary inquiry, the FIGC’s National Federal Tribunal officially confirmed its decision on Tuesday, announcing that Okoye would serve a two-month ban from all official matches.
The ban will commence from the first official game of the 2025/2026 season.
The court statement, issued by the Disciplinary Section of the National Federal Tribunal, read, “The National Federal Tribunal, Disciplinary Section, definitively ruling, imposes on Emil Maduka Okoye the sanction of two (2) months of disqualification in official matches, starting from the beginning of the first official competition of the 2025/2026 sporting season.”
This ruling means Okoye will miss six competitive matches, including Udinese’s season opener in the Coppa Italia against Carrarese on August 18, as well as the first five Serie A fixtures.
He will become eligible for selection again from October 19 when Udinese face newly promoted Cremonese away from home.
The outcome has sparked debate across both Italy and Nigeria, especially given Okoye’s national team status.
It also adds to growing scrutiny on the actions of players involved in controversial betting-related misconduct in recent years.
Okoye, who previously served as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper and played at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, has not yet publicly commented on the ruling.
He has struggled to regain his top form since that tournament and faced criticism for inconsistent performances. The suspension now places further doubt on his chances of reclaiming a regular starting role at both club and international level.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Ayra Starr, NBA Star for Giants of Africa Festival

Nigerian pop sensation Ayra Starr and LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard have been added to the list of stars for the Giants of Africa Festival 2025, which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 26 to August 2.
Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will bring together 320 young athletes from 20 African nations, and more than 20,000 spectators for a week of community, culture, basketball, education, and entertainment.
Ayra Starr will perform at the festival’s closing concert on August 2, joining a powerhouse line-up that includes Afrobeats stars Kizz Daniel and Timaya.
Additionally, local Rwandan artist Alyn Sano is now set to perform at the festival’s inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show on July 31.
Launching a week of unforgettable music moments, the festival’s exhilarating opening show on July 27 will feature performances by South African DJ phenomenon Uncle Waffles and MTV VMA-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver. Rwandan stars Kevin Kade, Ruti Joël, Boukuru and Chriss Easy will also perform on the opening weekend.
Two-time NBA champion Leonard has also been added to the Giants of Africa Festival 2025’s all-star line-up.
The LA Clippers forward will mentor youth campers, open a new basketball court in partnership with Giants of Africa at St Ignatius School, and host a special clinic for 50 local youth at Club Rafiki in one of Kigali’s most underserved districts.
Additional celebrity guests appearing throughout the week include Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Didier Drogba, Michael Blackson, Boris Kodjoe, and more.
Giants of Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball, founded by basketball executive and former player Masai Ujiri.
Ujiri recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Good Morning America to discuss how the festival unites communities, spark potential, and drive transformative change across the continent.