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September 28, 2022 Super Eagles Consumed by Desert Foxes in Oran

Super Eagles Consumed by Desert Foxes in Oran

The Desert Foxes of Algeria once again triumphed over the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they recorded a 2-1 win in a friendly game at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex, Oran on Tuesday night,

A depleted Nigerian side went into the game seeking to end the Algerians’ five-year dominance, with Djamel Belmadi’s side having emerged winners in their last three meetings, scoring six goals and conceding once, since a 3-1 loss to the Eagles in November 2016 in Uyo.

It was the 22nd time both teams met, with the Desert Foxes coming out tops with 10 wins, while the Eagles have won nine times against the North Africans with three other encounters ending in draws.

Nigeria started the game the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded for their efforts early on as FC Lorient forward Terem Moffi gave the Eagles the lead in the eight minute.

The quick goal spurred the Foxes into life as they began to dominate proceedings looking for an immediate equaliser.

The Eagles’ backline of Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Kevin Akpoguma and Calvin Bassey held their ground to contain the Algerian attacks led by Manchester City star, Mahrez.

New Atalanta boy Ademola Lookman looked to have added to the Eagles tally when he slotted in from close range just before the break, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Jose Peseiro’s side were then hard done by, after the referee awarded Algeria a penalty, which was coolly converted by Mahrez to draw level for the Foxes, with both teams going into the break tied 1-1.

There was no substitution from both sides as the second half began, with Algeria despetrate for the lead.

But despite their dominance, Nigeria looked likely to take the lead with two quick chances, but they failed to make good use of them.

In the 58th minute, Zaidu began a fine counterattack for the Eagles, but his cross was not properly controlled by Lookman, who had only the goalkeeper to beat.

Another glorious chance fell to Kelechi Iheanacho just a minute later, but the Leicester City man’s weak shot was easily saved by the Algeria goalkeeper.

Two minutes after Nigeria had spurned their chances, Algeria took the lead for the first time in the encounter.

Eagles’ goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, misjudged a Youcef Atal’s scorching 40-yard shot, which easily sailed into the net.

In search of an equaliser, Portuguese coach Peseiro brought on Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi for Terem Moffi but the substitution made no difference as the Eagles failed to string passes together and often relied on long balls for counterattacks.

With just five minutes left on the clock, Peseiro introduced Raphael Onyedika and Cyriel Dessers coming for Frank Onyeka and Iheanacho respectively to hand the former his Eagles debut.

The Foxes however held on to their lead to claim their 10th win over the disappointing Eagles and Peseiro’s second defeat since taking charge of the Eagles in June.

September 20, 2022 Bayelsa Teams Represent Nigeria at World School Basketball Championship.

Bayelsa Teams Represent Nigeria at World School Basketball Championship.

Champions of the 2022 Milo National Secondary School Championships, Bayelsa’s duo of Bishop Dimieari Grammar School and St Jude’s Girls Secondary School Amarata are in Belgrade, Serbia representing Nigeria for the first time at the 2022 World School Basketball Championship
As the tournament kicks off on Tuesday, September 20, the Nigerian contingent led by the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Ebibomo Diri will lead the team alongside the President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Mrs. Olabisi Joseph.
Nigeria alongside 19 other nations including Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Nepal, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Chinese Taipei, and Turkey will compete in the boys and girls events organized by the International School Sports Federation (ISF) and hosted by the Serbian School Sport Federation.
Speaking at the send-forth for the team in Lagos, NSSF President lauded the support of the Bayelsa State government in ensuring that the students are exposed to international competitions while urging other states to take a cue from this gesture.
Joseph, however, praised the sponsor of the annual Milo National Secondary School Championships, for their commitment to the competition as well as for providing the platform for the students to showcase their talents.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa, Gentle Emeleh specifically praised the sports-loving governor of the state, Douye Diri for his interest in sports while promising that the team would make the country and the state proud in Serbia.
The captains of the teams, Idubamo Pius Beggi and Samuel Talents vowed to replicate their feat in Nigeria on the international stage while promising to be good ambassadors.
The boys’ team has been drawn in Group A alongside Turkey, Hungary, and Chinese Taipei while the girls’ team is in group D with Turkey, Chile, and Bulgaria.
This is the first time Nigeria will be competing in the championships as the only African team in the tournament which ends on September 28.
September 20, 2022 NBBF Sets Up Reconciliation and Statute Amendment Committee

NBBF Sets Up Reconciliation and Statute Amendment Committee

The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) under Engr. Musa Kida has set up a Reconciliation and Statute Amendment Committee.

In a statement issued on yesterday (Monday), the NBBF President informed journalists of the new development, as the body and Sports Ministry seek a new direction for Nigeria basketball in a bid bring peace to the country’s Basketball Family.

The lengthy release read:

Sequel to the press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on 17th of August 2022, dissolving the Interim Management Committee (IMC) that was earlier set

up after the NBBF January 31st Elective Congress, it has become very expedient for me to brief you on the state of affairs in the Federation (NBBF), my esteemed members of Congress and the NBBF.

You will recall that on the 23rd of June 2022, the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, with the approval of H.E. Mohammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, withdrew Nigeria from all international Basketball activities for two years.

The reason for this withdrawal was the Government’s perception of persistent wrangling amongst the Nigerian Basketball Stakeholders. This decision led to the replacement of the Female National Team, the

D’Tigress, by Mail for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia, by FIBA, which the team had already qualified for.

However, based on several consultations between some critical Stakeholders and a very useful interface between the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, FIBA and the NBBF leadership, the The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria graciously approved rescinding the decision to withdraw Nigeria from all international Basketball activities for two years, with immediate effect, which was following the recommendation of the Sports Ministry.

This was promptly and appropriately communicated to all. This was followed up by the referenced Sports Ministry signed dissolution of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) on 17th of August 2022, and the immediate directive to take over the remaining FIBA Men’s World Cup Qualifying Windows from the Kigali window and we had to act within a few days of the approval.

By this development, therefore, the NBBF has been given an all-clear to carry out its legitimate activities and continue its constitutional roles as defined in the 2019 NBBF approved Constitution.

The NBBF will focus on restarting its general programmes, and however, will also need to focus on the amendment of 2019 approved NBBF Constitution, for which the process had earlier started. Equally, the NBBF will also continue with its reconciliation process, alongside its local programs, so that all aggrieved parties can come under one umbrella of peace for the growth and development of the game.

The NBBF Board is by this call, committed to fulfilling all these requirements in a very open and  transparent manner and in compliance with its Statutes.

While we understand and appreciate that we have had, and will have divergent opinions on some issues, this is not the time for finger-pointing as to who was right or wrong. There is no overstating the fact that continuous bickering and fractionalization within the Nigerian Basketball family, even at the board levels, does no one any good. It is an ill wind that must be avoided.

The present position we have found ourselves in has already set Nigerian basketball back by many years, and now that normalcy has been restored by the recent Government actions and developments, it is time for us to engage in a very sober manner and ensure that we move forward without rancour and in unity.

We must all strive for unity of purpose so that onlookers will always accord us the respect and dignity that we deserve as the drivers of the growth and development of the game in Nigeria.

I am therefore using this opportunity to call on all genuine Basketball Stakeholders in Nigeria to close ranks and join hands with the NBBF to move Nigerian Basketball to its desired height.

I wish to assure all Stakeholders that as far as the NBBF Board is concerned, there is “No victor, no Vanquished”.

The NBBF will conclude the process of amending the approved NBBF 2019 Constitution and the reconciliation process through the Committees that the Board will set up and communicate in the coming days. We understand the divergent views and grievances of stakeholders, and we will take appropriate actions, within the ambit of our extant laws and the NBBF Constitution, for all to have a sense of belonging.

Furthermore, the NBBF will commence its designed Programs of activities without delay to, inter alia, enable us to complete the programmes so that we can meet up with national, Continental, and international deadlines for our country’s representation in all major competitions.

My dear brethren, it is time to come together as a family, guided by truth, while promoting the positive things that bind us. We have a unique opportunity of achieving this and we must take advantage.

I want to specifically thank all States Associations Chairmen and their Secretaries, as well as other members of the NBBF Congress for upholding the mantle of proper governance within the NBBF and asking us to be accountable. Our thanks also go to all our stakeholders who have endured selfless sacrifices for the development of Nigeria Basketball over the years and I, on behalf of the NBBF Board, urge all concerned to continue to support the growth of the game.

I also want to thank the Nigerian Government, as headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Akin Dare and his team, for their unflinching support for the successes we have recorded in the past years. We believe this support is unshakable going forward.

Also, wish to express our sincere appreciation to the State Governments, all our Corporate and Individual Sponsors, Chairmen/General Managers/Directors of State Sports Councils/Commission, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), FIBA and others, for giving us the support, without which would have been difficult to maintain the momentum as we strive to measure up to expectations during this tenure of 2022 to 2026.

Once again, on behalf of the NBBF Board, I do sincerely wish to thank all that have contributed in one way or the other, towards resolving this problem that threatened the very foundation of Nigeria.

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