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Our Players can Compete with Best in NWBL — Basketball Manager

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Bek Jang, the Team Manager of Hotcoal Sizzlers Basketball team, says the team is capable of competing with the best in the National Women Basketball League (NWBL).

Jang spoke to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, ahead of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League scheduled to dunk off in October.

Newsmen report that Hotcoal Sizzlers emerged back-to-back champions of the just concluded Abuja City Basketball League after defeating Mo’ Heat’s female team 48-25 in the final.

A total of 16 teams participated in the league with no fewer than 115 games played over four months, from June to Sept. 11.

The coach said the tournament was a preparatory ground for his team ahead of the 2022 NWBL season, adding that the girls gave a good account of themselves during the competition.

He said it was an uphill battle against the best teams in the city, and that the tournament had fully prepared his team and put them in top shape ahead of the league season proper.

“We had a great time at the league this year after we successfully defended our title which we won last year.

“It wasn’t easy. Last year we went unbeaten but this year was tougher as we had to bounce back from defeat after a narrow 36-35 loss to Mo’ heat in the first phase.

“We had to go back to the drawing board and correct a whole lot of mistakes. So, when we met again in the finals, it was an easy ride for us,” he said.

The coach noted that with the superlative performance of the team, they were hopeful of getting a slot in the upcoming Zenith Bank League Season next month.

He revealed that three of the top five players in the league emerged from the Hotcoal Sizzlers Basketball team.

“The best point guard, best shooter, best centre and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the League were all from the Hotcoal Sizzlers Basketball team.

“So, I can comfortably tell you that we have very good players who can represent the country at the highest level in the Nigeria National Basketball team,” he said.

He thanked the General Manager of the team (Ubon Udoh) for the moral and financial support which went a long way in ensuring the team’s success at the end of the league.

“The whole idea of the Hotcoal franchise is to make positive impact in the lives of the players.

“In this regard, we give out scholarships annually to our players still in school and also expose our professional players to international trainings and clubs abroad to help them improve their basketball skills.

“We also have health insurance cover for both our male and female basketball players to ensure that they are adequately taken care, in the eventuality of any injury or health related issues,” he said.

Newsmen also reports that the Abuja City Basketball League continues with the Men’s playoffs at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from Sept. 20 – 24. (NAN)

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SPORTS

Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Hand Mali First Win in 49 Years

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The Super Eagles were given a reality check by Mali’s Les Aigles as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat in a friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday.

Reports says that the rare win by the Malians against Nigeria was their first in 49 years.

Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamory Doumbia sealed the win for Mali.

The last time Mali defeated the Super Eagles was on Sept.

5, 1975, also in a friendly which ended 4-1.

Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Eagles were unbeaten in eight straight fixtures against the Malians, recording five wins and three draws.

Interim coach, Finidi George, gave starting shirts to Jamilu Collins, Raphael Onyedika, and Kenneth Omeruo.

The trio replaced Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka and Benjamin Tanimu, who all featured in the 2-1 win against Ghana on Friday.

The Malians dominated the early stages of the game and almost took the lead less than five minutes into the game, but were denied by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The breakthrough for Mali eventually came in the 14th minute as El Bilal Toure capitalised on a defensive error by Nigeria to score.

The Eagles were forced into a first half change as Moses Simon went off injured in 34th minute and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.

The early part of the second half saw the Super Eagles start brightly but the Malian defence held firm.

Despite starting the half on a positive note, it was Mali who almost doubled their lead but the Eagles defence intercepted a dangerous cross from the left.

Dessers was presented an opportunity in the 65th minute as he was sent through on goal but blasted his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

Iheanacho had a chance of his own barely a minute later, but took a low shot which was parried away for a corner.

With 12 minutes left, the Eagles won a freekick in a decent position but Iheanacho’s floated attempt was again cleared away by the keeper.

Mali then doubled their lead in the 87th minute thanks to Kamory Doumbia who raced into the Eagles’ 18 yard box and fired past Nwabali to earn his side a well deserved win.

Up next for the Super Eagles is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June against South Africa who held Algeria to a 3-3 draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday. (NAN)

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SPORTS

Wrestling : 4 Nigerian Wrestlers Secure Olympic Qualification in Egypt

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Four Nigerian Wrestlers on Saturday   qualified  for  the Paris  2024 Olympics  in their various  events at  the ongoing African championships and Olympics qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt.

Reports says that the wrestlers will now join Odunayo Adekuoroye, who secured qualification in 2023 after  winning  a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category  at the World Championships in Belgrade.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist Blessing Oburududu booked a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 2-0 pinfall victory over Uilau Tarkong of Palau in the  68kg.

World Military Champion, Hannah Reuben Pipped Amy Youin  of Cote D’Ivoire 6-0 in the 76kg category  to secure Olympics slot in Paris .

Esther Kolawole joined the list of Nigerian athletes going to Paris for the Olympics after  overcoming Angelina Rodrigues of Cape Verde 10-0.

African Games champion, Christiana Ogunsanya in the  53kg category overpowered Egyptian Shaimaa Mohamed 10-0  to secure qualification.

However, Mercy Genesis narrowly missed out on Paris Olympics in this window after a 5-7 defeat to Nada

Mohamed of Egypt in the  50kg weight class.

Reports says that  five female wrestlers will represent  the country in the Paris 2024 Olympics .

NAN reports that Nigerian male freestyle wrestlers will hope to join their female counterparts on Sunday when they take to the mat.

Sunday will be  the final day of this window’s qualifiers.

NAN reports that the remaining Olympic slots will be decided on May 9 to 12 at the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in  Istanbul, Turkey.

NAN reports that the African championships and Olympic qualifiers which started on Monday in Alexandria, Egypt is expected to end Sunday.(NAN)

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SPORTS

Flying Eagles Crash Out of  African Games

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The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been knocked out of the men’s football event of the 2023 African Games in Ghana after a 3-2 defeat by Senegal.

Reports says that the Flying Eagles took an early lead in the second minute through Charles Agada in the match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.

Idrissa Traore, however, equalised for Senegal in the 21st minute when his low shot beat the time in the encounter.

Chibuzor Izuogu put Nigeria back into the game when he equalised to make it 2-2 through a brilliant free kick.

Pape Diouf converted from the spot for the winning goal to send Senegal to the semi finals.

The Flying Eagles ended their campaign with only one victory against South Sudan, losing their opening match 2-1 to Uganda and 3-2 to Senegal.

Nigeria finished third in the group behind Uganda and Senegal, with South Sudan coming fourth.

After the match, Bosso said he was disappointed at the result and blamed poor preparation for the performance.

“I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament.

” I didn’t have enough time to scout for players and what I did was to watch few games in Uyo and other places .That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze,” Bosso said.

Nigeria won the men’s football silver at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019 after a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the final.(NAN)

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