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.

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.

Liverpool have released images of a planned memorial to late forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, following their deaths last summer.

Jota, 28, and 25-year-old Andre Silva, who played for Portuguese second division club Penafiel, died in a car crash on 3 July in the Spanish province of Zamora.

The sculpture features a flowing heart design – a nod to the Portugal international’s goal celebration – the two brothers’ shirt numbers, 20 and 30, plus the lyrics to Jota’s song, which is sung by Liverpool fans in the 20th minute at every game.

Titled ‘Forever 20’, the club said, externalit celebrates Jota and Andre Silva’s “lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt by family, team-mates and supporters across the world”.

The memorial, which will be located at Anfield on 97 Avenue, has recycled the physical tributes left outside Anfield since Jota’s death by fans paying their respects and incorporated them into the stone plinth.

Liverpool have not yet announced when it will be unveiled but will reveal the date in the future.

Jota joined the Reds from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two League Cups during his time on Merseyside.