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Kebbi First Lady Hails NFF on Beach Soccer
By Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
Wife of the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr Zainab Shinkafi – Bagudu, has commended the Nigerian Football Federation for propelling beach soccer to greater heights with the presence of the Super Sand Eagles in Kebbi for the second time to play an inauguration friendly match against the Kebbi Beach Soccer Club to celebrate her husband’s Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu second term victory as the Governor of the state.
The commendation from the first Lady of Kebbi State who doubles as CEO/Founder, Global Cancer International was recently appointed as the Kebbi Beach Soccer Association Grand Matron.
The colourful ceremony also included the presentation of a uniquely designed customized plaque and a gift of the 2019 customized jersey handed over to the Global Cancer International Director by the Chairman of KBSA, Mr. Mahmud Hadejia.
He described the Award as a deserved accolade in recognition and appreciation for the First Lady’s “selfless service to humanity”.
Hadejia further appreciated her tremendous support and guidance to sports and youth development with particular reference to the beach soccer journey which aims to achieve excellence in Kebbi State and beyond.
Responding, Dr. Zainab appreciated the gesture and reiterated her husband’s commitment to youth and sports development in the state in particular and the entire country.
She congratulated the Association on its 5th anniversary this year and commended its giant strides in putting Kebbi on the Map as a leading beach soccer state noting that it is worthy to emulate.
“I must commend your efforts and good works you are investing in beach soccer in the state which has ultimately made the state a leading beach soccer state among the states of the federation.”
The first Lady also congratulated the Kebbi Beach Soccer Club and Gwandu Emirate Clubs for the recent trophies they won in the just concluded Kebbi Beach Soccer Sallah Tournament 2019 edition, noting that it recorded great success.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Neymar is fully fit and ready to play a full 90 minutes against Norway in their FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 clash.
The Brazil boss has revealed that the Santos ace will appear alongside the Real Madrid star as the South Americans continue their World Cup campaign.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Ancelotti said: “Neymar can play 90 minutes… and he can play with Vinicius Jr.
“I think they WILL play together.”
The South American side have never beaten Norway in four meetings and will be seeking their first win on Sunday night as Ancelotti plans his side to face the likes of Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland.
The country’s all-time top scorer, Neymar, made his long-awaited World Cup debut in Brazil’s third group-stage match against Scotland in Miami, coming on in the 76th minute.
Neymar made a total of 15 appearances with his Brazilian club across all competitions in the 2025/26 season.
Since 2017, the star has suffered over 45 injuries and missed more than 270 matches, significantly interrupting his career.
In 2018, he played every 90 minutes of all five Brazil matches despite recently recovering from an ankle injury.
But, in Qatar, Neymar missed much of the group stage after receiving a tackle in the opening game against Serbia.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has unveiled a 12-man D’Tigers squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers in Luanda, Angola.
The qualifiers, tagged Window Three, will hold from July 2 to July 5, marking the beginning of a new era under Head Coach David Fizdale.
A statement from the NBBF on Monday said Fizdale will make his competitive debut as D’ Tigers coach, bringing decades of NBA coaching experience and expertise in developing elite basketball talent.
“The coach will lead a blend of experienced internationals and emerging players as Nigeria pursues qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“The squad comprises Uchenna Ireogbu, Ikenna Ireogbu, Caleb Agada, Martins Igbanu, Paul Dibal and Stanley Okoye.
“Others are Daniel Utomi, Chimezie Metu, Wesley Iwundu, Christian Mekowulu, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu and Michael Eric,” the statement said.
Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Guinea, Rwanda and Tunisia in the decisive phase of the qualification campaign.
It stated that NBBF President, Ahmadu Musa Kida, expressed confidence in the team and welcomed Fizdale to his first official assignment with Nigeria.
“Kida described Fizdale as an experienced coach with the leadership qualities required to guide D’Tigers to greater success in Africa and globally.
“He congratulated the selected players and urged them to represent Nigeria with passion, pride and professionalism throughout the qualifiers,” it said
It quoted Kida as saying, “the federation remains committed to attracting world-class coaches and sustaining a high-performance environment for the national teams.
“Fizdale’s appointment followed the successful tenure of former coach Mike Brown, who elevated Nigeria’s profile in international basketball,” he said.
Kida expressed confidence that experienced players, emerging talents and quality coaching would strengthen Nigeria’s qualification campaign.
He urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to support D’ Tigers as they represent the country in Angola.
Nigeria will face Guinea on July 3 before taking on Rwanda on July 5 in Luanda
The top teams from the African qualifiers will advance towards qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027.
United States president Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final and help present the trophy, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Trump, 80, is yet to attend a game at the World Cup, but may still make an appearance before the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The World Cup started on 11 June and took place in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course,” Infantino, now a close friend of Trump, told Fox.
Asked if they would make the presentation together, Infantino added: “Of course, we are together all the time.”
The United States is hosting 78 of the 104 matches at the tournament, which is also being held in Mexico and Canada.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, told the Telegraph, external that Trump likes to “leave people watching” and is yet to attend a game because of his busy schedule.
Trump was at the UFC White House event last week, and was recently booed in New York as he became the first US president to attend the NBA Finals, watching game three which the eventual champions the New York Knicks lost 111-115 to the San Antonio Spurs.
Last summer, Trump remained on the winners’ podium at MetLife Stadium after handing the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea’s Reece James, which caused apparent confusion to some of the players involved.
“They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay,” said James.
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