SportsNews

BREAKING: D’Tigress defeat Australia to secure their first Olympic win in 20 years.

Published

1 year ago

July 29, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

D'Tigress

D’Tigress of Nigeria have beaten the Opals of Australia 75-62 in women’s basketball at the Paris Olympics.

Point guard Ezinne Kalu produced a clutch performance, inspiring the Rena Wakama-coached team to withstand a late rally from the Aussies at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday.

The victory was Nigeria’s first at the Games since Athens 2004.

Kalu finished the game with 19 points and five rebounds helping Nigeria to a memorable win over the third-best team in the world.

At the start, Australia showed some real urgency and was all over the Nigerian ladies in the opening few minutes.

Jade Melbourne and Ezi Magbegor led the early onslaught as the Opals raced to a 13-5 lead.

However, D’Tigress, playing their second successive Summer Games, responded with a magnificent Kalu leading their lines.

They had their noses in front after the first quarter at 18-17 largely thanks to Kalu’s 11 points, which included three three-pointers.

Kalu continued to run the play in the second quarter. With Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun adding to the Opals’ woes, the D’Tigresses went into half-time with a surprise 41-28 lead.

An astonishing 16 turnovers by the Aussie players had a telling say on the scoreboard. Nigeria, in comparison, had only eight in the first half.

The Opals, five-time Olympic medallists, needed a strong response in the second half. Despite some resolute defending from the Nigerian players, the Opals chipped away at the lead slowly with Alanna Smith leading the fightback.

Heading into the final quarter, the Aussies trailed by just four and had pulled themselves back into the basketball contest.

The final quarter proved to be a nervy affair. With just over six minutes left on the clock, the Opals trailed by just two before a disastrous spell of play transpired for them.

Smith, who had been excellent for her team, missed two free throws before Promise Amukamara converted both of hers for Nigeria. Promise then set up Okonkwo for a three-pointer which saw the reigning four-time African champions go seven points clear.

The lead allowed Nigeria to dictate the play and wrap up the match comfortably.

The D’Tigress will face host France in their next Group B match on Thursday before a showdown against world number 5, Canada next Monday.

SportsNews

Serie A: Atalanta coach Juric confirms Lookman available to face Torino

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has confirmed Ademola Lookman is available for Sunday’s Serie A clash with Torino.

Juric however said the Nigeria international is not in his best physical condition.

Lookman trained with his Atalanta teammates for the first time on Thursday, since pushing to join Inter Milan during the transfer window.

The 27-year-old is yet to feature for the Bergamo club this season.

The winger however made two appearances for Nigeria two weeks ago.

Juric disclosed that Lookman was warmly received on his return to the squad.

“He’s spoken with me, the team and my staff. He was well received and from tomorrow, he will begin to be available to us,” Juric told a pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“He’s not in the best condition given that he’s been training alone up until now. He did very well in training (on Friday).”

SportsNews

UCL: What Alonso said about Mourinho ahead of Benfica vs Real Madrid clash

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso has insisted that it will be “special” for new Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho when both teams clash in the UEFA Champions League in the coming months.

Mourinho was recently appointed as Benfica’s new manager after he was sacked by Fenerbahce.

However, the 62-year-old is now set to face his former club, Real Madrid, in the league phase of the Champions League on January 28, 2026.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Espanyol on Saturday, Alonso said of Mourinho (via Madrid Xtra on X): “Playing against Mourinho? I had the chance to face him when he was at Roma and I was at Leverkusen.

“It will be special for him. It was three very intense years, very important. He has a huge affection for this club.”

Mourinho has faced Alonso in the Europa League in the past during his time at AS Roma.

The Portuguese led Roma to beat Bayer Leverkusen under the guidance of Alonso in the past.

SportsNews

2026 WCQ: South Africa confirm they are under FIFA investigation as Benin, Nigeria wait

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Lydia Monyepao, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Football Association, SAFA, has confirmed they have received communication from FIFA over an investigation into the Teboho Mokoena suspension saga.

The world football governing body has written to Bafana Bafana, demanding an explanation as to how Mokoena played against Lesotho in March this year.

The midfielder was ineligible to feature in the 2026 World Cup qualifier having picked up two yellow cards.

FIFA’s investigation could now overturn South Africa’s 2-0 win to a 3-0 defeat.

“We have received communication from FIFA about the investigation they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match that Teboho Mokoena was fielded, we received it yesterday,” Monyepao said via Idiski Times.

“So we’re preparing our response to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee which is ultimately required of us as an association…”

With two games left to play, Nigeria occupy third spot in Group C with 11 points, trailing South Africa, who have 17 points, and Benin Republic on 14 points.

Both Benin and Nigeria will be eagerly awaiting FIFA’s verdict on the matter.