November 27, 2023
Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt have won the 2023 edition of the NBBF Premier League after defeating Nigeria Customs by 77 to 57 points in the final game of the league played on its home court, to earn the passage to Africa’s biggest basketball championship in 2024. They ended the competition with an unblemished record after 13 games.
Before the final game, three teams, including Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria Customs and Rivers Hoopers had mathematical chance pf winning the title. Gboko City Chiefs had beaten Hoops & Read 80 to 70 points to climb to the top of the league standings.
But the Kingsmen, as Rivers Hoopers are also known, knew what they had to do to become champions. They went 14 to four points ahead inside the first five minutes of play in the first quarter, eventually seeing out the quarter 21-12.
They maintained the tempo as they took control of the game to finish the second quarter 38-27, and went into the halftime break with an 11-point lead.
The hosts had suffered a spectacular collapse in the third quarter during their previous games against Gboko City Chiefs and Hoops & Read, but with the league title and Basketball Africa ticket closer than ever, they were able to break their third quarter hoodoo as they dominated play to end the quarter 59-47.
The fourth quarter saw Customs come out fighting but for every question asked Rivers Hoopers had a fitting answer as the KingsMen took Customs to the cleaners with a 16-5 run in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter which finished 18-10 and the Rivers Hoopers held to wrap up a 20-point blowout.
The result sparked immediate jubilations as the vociferous home crowd who had shown tremendous support for the Hoopers throughout the Final Four tournament struggled to hold back their emotions.
Speaking after the game, Rivers Hoopers’ captain, Victor Anthony Koko, who contributed a game high 23 points, nine rebounds, with 10/13 shooting from the field and 3/3 from free throws on a night Hoopers enjoyed a 72.7 per cent conversion rate from the line, attributed their success to hard work and determination of the boys to excel at the championship. He said the victory was a collective effort, adding that next on the line is to plan for a successful outing at the 2024 BAL.
The teams attention now shifts to the continental showpiece, where they’ll be looking to become the first Nigerian side to with the BAL title.
November 21, 2023
Super Eagles Head coach, Jose Peseiro, has denied having any links with Egyptian giants, Zamalek concerning their vacant coaching role.
Egyptian website, Kooora, had fingered Peseiroas one of the coaches who submitted their resumes for the top job after the recent sacking of Juan Carlos Osorio for poor results.
The 63-year-old recently signed a new one-year deal with the Nigeria Football Federation after his initial contract expired in June.
The Portuguese tactician, who was recently linked with Zamalek’s job in Egypt, told btolat.com that he remained focused on his current job with Nigeria.
“At the present, all my focus is on the Nigerian national team only,” he said.
“There are no negotiations from Zamalek in any case and I am not thinking about anything else.”
Despite Peseiro’s commitment to the Eagles’ job, football stakeholders have called for the immediate sacking of the Portuguese tactician following the team’s abysmal performances in the last 2 games. The Eagles were held at home by lowly ranked Lesotho 1-1, and only managed another draw against Zimbabwe in the first 2 games of the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
October 31, 2023
Legendary Argentine star, Lionel Messi has been named the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, making him the record breaking winner of the award as the best football player of the season for a record-extending eighth time.
The 36-year-old Argentine forward led his country to their first World Cup title since 1986, claiming the Golden Ball award at the tournament in Qatar. He also won the French title with Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami in the summer. In August, he helped his new team to their first ever title as they clinched the Leagues Cup.
Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmatí won the 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin award, succeeding her Barcelona and international teammate Alexia Putellas, who won the prize in 2021 and 2022.
The 25-year-old Spanish midfielder led Spain to their maiden Women’s World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand, winning the Golden Ball award at the tournament. She also helped her club to win La Liga and a second Champions League title, earning her the UEFA Player of the Season award in August.
Messi and Bonmatí were presented with their awards at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday (30 October).
Nigerian strikers Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala were nominated for 2023 edition where they finished 8th and 20th respectively.
The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football.
October 27, 2023
The two-time African champions, Enyimba of Aba were miserable on Thursday as they crashed 3-0 to a superior Wydad Casablanca side in Morocco in the Inaugural edition of the CAF, African Football League.
Enyimba lost the first-leg 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday, thanks to Yahya Jabrane’s goal from the spot before the 3-0 drubbing at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.
Ayoub El Amloud gave the hosts the lead in Morocco just four minutes into the encounter before Jamal Harkass added the second in the 38th minute.
Yahia Attiyah Allah made it three in the 43rd minute to put the game beyond the reach of the Nigeria Premier Football League champions.
Ilyes Chetti almost made it 4-0 for the North Africans in the 72nd minute but Ojo Olorunleke rushed out of his line to prevent the Moroccan from causing danger.
Olorunleke was called into action again in the 78th minute after making an acrobatic save to stop a goal-bound header.
There were more worries for Enyimba after duo Ezekiel Ngomere and Murphy Ndukwu went down in the 84th minute with both players requiring medical attention before getting back on their feet.
It was a complete dominance from Wydad, who had 63 per cent of possession, compared to Enyimba’s 37.
Adil Ramzi’s men had 14 shots, with six of them on target, while Finidi George’s side managed only three shots, with just one on target.
Enyimba, will however still earn $1m despite crashing out at the opening phase of the money-spinning Africa Football League.
Adebayo Samuel reports that Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will face Al Ahly of Egypt in the next round as Esperance of Tunisia trade tackles against Wydad Casablanca.
