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Mourinho Close to Succeeding Lage at Benfica

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Jose Mourinho is close to a return to management with Benfica, replacing Bruno Lage who was sacked after the Champions League defeat against Qarabag.

The Portuguese club threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against their Azerbaijani opponents at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday.

Benfica president Rui Costa said they intend to have a new manager in place by Saturday, but would not be drawn on speculation that Mourinho is their preferred option.

Mourinho is in talks about returning to work in Portugal, 21 years after he left for Chelsea.

Mourinho was sacked by Fenerbahce on 29 August, two days after the Turkish club were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Benfica.

“A Benfica coach’s profile must be that of a winner,” Costa said.

“A coach representing a club of this size must be one with the ability to bring this team to the levels we demand and give us the titles we desire.

“There’s no point in talking about names here. No coach has been appointed, nor has any coach been mentioned to represent Benfica in the future.”

Mourinho began his managerial career with Benfica in 2000 but took charge of only 10 games and left after a dispute with the club president.

He then made his name with Porto between 2002 and 2004, winning six trophies – including the Champions League in 2003-04.

Since leaving his homeland in 2004, Mourinho has managed Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbahce.

Should Benfica appoint Mourinho, he would face Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on 30 September.

Benfica also travel to Newcastle United and host Real Madrid later in the league phase of the competition.

Benfica are sixth in the Primeira Liga, five points adrift of leaders Porto, but have a game in hand.

They finished second in the top flight last season – two points behind Sporting – under former Wolves boss Lage.

The move to Part Company with Lage coincides with Benfica preparing for their presidential election on 25 October.

Joao Noronha Lopes, favourite to win the election, has his sights set on Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and was at Etihad Stadium on Sunday to watch Portuguese.

Costa said the decision to make a managerial change is not motivated by his attempt to get re-elected.

“I’m not here to save any positions,” Costa said.

“I haven’t even gone anywhere to campaign yet, because my goal, as president of Benfica, is to ensure the best future for Benfica, regardless of what happens in the elections.

“And this decision-making has to do solely and exclusively with Benfica’s sporting season, and to avoid jeopardising Benfica’s sporting season. I’ve never put my interests ahead of Benfica’s, and I’m not going to do so now.”

SPORTS

2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.

A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.

The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.

Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.

Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

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SPORTS

U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos Step Up Preparation for Guinea Clash

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Nigeria’s Flamingos will take on Lakeside Queens in a friendly match in Ikenne on Thursday as they intensify preparations for their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea.

It will be the Flamingos’ first friendly since arriving in Ikenne for the final phase of their preparations for the qualifying fixtures.

Akeem Busari’s side played five friendly matches in Abuja before travelling to Ikenne.

They secured four victories and one draw from their five friendly games.

The team is expected to play more friendly games before taking on the Guineans.

Guinea will host the first leg in Conakry on Sunday, May 24.

The reverse fixture is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, a week later.

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SPORTS

Four NBA Stars Open to D’Tigers Call-up

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Nigeria’s ambition to assemble a formidable basketball squad ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics has received a major boost after four National Basketball Association (NBA)players reportedly expressed their willingness to represent D’Tigers following the appointment of David Fizdale as head coach.

Fizdale, a former NBA head coach with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, recently worked as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns between 2023 and 2025 before taking charge of Nigeria’s men’s national team.

Basketball journalist and scout Coach Hova revealed that Aaron Nesmith has already committed to representing Nigeria in the next international basketball window.

Confirming the development, he wrote on X, “Sources close to me have confirmed that Aaron Nesmith has committed to representing the D’Tigers in the upcoming international basketball window.”

The Indiana Pacers forward was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft before joining Indiana in 2022.

Hova also disclosed that Desmond Bane had begun processing his international switch to Nigeria ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

“Desmond Bane is committed and already processing his switch to represent D’Tigers ahead of the 2028 Olympics,” he stated.

According to the Hova, Bane has also been instrumental in encouraging other Nigerian-heritage NBA players to join the national team project, including Nesmith.

Bane himself publicly declared his interest this year in representing Nigeria during an interview in January 2026.

The Orlando Magic guard explained that he wanted to help gather top Nigerian-eligible players for a serious Olympic challenge.

“We just need to get all the Nigerians together for the Olympics coming up in the next couple years and make something happen,” Bane said.

He also admitted that he had already spoken with other players about joining D’Tigers.

“I’d talk to Aaron Nesmith,” he said.

“Me and Gabe Vincent also talked about it a little bit. We need to do it.”

Meanwhile, journalist Kehinde Bamidele further reported that Onyeka Okongwu remains interested in representing Nigeria under Fizdale.

According to him, “Okongwu remains interested in representing D’Tigers of Nigeria under new head coach David Fizdale.”

The Atlanta Hawks centre previously missed out on a potential invitation due to short notice, but talks are said to be ongoing ahead of the July international window.

Bamidele also reported that Ayo Dosunmu has yet to make a final commitment to Nigeria, although the new coaching crew are keen to convince him.

“Ayo Dosunmu is yet to commit to D’Tigers of Nigeria,” Bamidele wrote.

“Fizdale understands that one of his early priorities will be convincing the Wolves guard to represent Nigeria.”

The guard previously represented the United States at the youth level, winning gold at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championship, meaning any switch could involve additional clearance procedures.

Fizdale has already made clear that qualifying Nigeria for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics remains his biggest ambition as D’Tigers coach.

After his appointment by the Nigeria Basketball Federation on Saturday, Fizdale told ESPN that leading Nigeria to the Olympics in his hometown would represent a career-defining achievement.

Nigeria have previously featured at the Olympic Games in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 but are still chasing their first basketball medal on the global stage.

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