Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress lost to their American counterparts in a thrilling quarter-final clash at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain.
A mentally and physically strong Nigeria took the lead with a 9-17 scoreline in the first quarter, but the United States rallied back in the second quarter to win 18-6, as the first half ended 27-23.
USA, defending champions and tournament favourites, extended their lead in the third quarter 19-12 (46-35 cumulative) and totally outclassed D’Tigress in the fourth quarter to round up their victory with a 71-40 final scoreline.
For Nigeria, the 2018 competition, being held in Tenerife, Spain, has been their best outing the global stage as they set a couple of records in the African continent.
Spanish forward Diego Costa regrets initially leaving Atletico Madrid for Chelsea but feels everything has fallen back into place after an acrimonious parting of ways with former coach Antonio Conte.
The Spain international joined Chelsea after scoring 27 times for Atletico in the 2013-14 LaLiga campaign, encouraging the Premier League side to part with a reported £35million (€40m).
Costa was a success in England, scoring 52 times in the top flight across his three seasons at Stamford Bridge, but his final year was mired by reports of a rocky relationship with Conte.
The Italian was understood to have fallen out with Costa in January 2017 when the striker was linked with a move to the Chinese Super League.
Although they appeared to bury the hatchet and Costa went on to score 20 times as Chelsea won the Premier League title, Conte allegedly told the striker via text message in June he was not in his plans for the following season.
“It was a very bad moment, but it wasn’t my fault. People said things, but time puts everything in its place; look where the coach is, look at Conte,” Costa said to Marca, referencing Conte’s sacking in July.
“I was wrong going to Chelsea, because of their way of dealing with things. Cholo [Atletico coach Diego Simeone] is a direct coach, and when he doesn’t love you, it’s clear and he shows it.
“At Chelsea it was the opposite. I had the option of returning to Atleti and when Chelsea told me to go back to training with the reserves, I was clear that I was going back to Atletico, even though there were other offers.
“If not, I would’ve stayed in Brazil with my family. I had to live my whole life with my family. I have other values that no money can buy.”
Costa returned to Atletico despite not being able to play for four months due to being signed outside the transfer window and the club’s ban on registering new players.
Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Ntiense Williams has told Brila.net plans to create a team B for the Senior Men’s national team, the Black Stallions.
Former ASEC Mimosas and Ivorian international, Emmanuel Eboue has revealed that his biggest heart desire is to be the head coach of Asante Kotoko.
According to the former Arsenal legend, he has been monitoring the Academy of the club from afar and I want to tender in his application letter for the job.
“I will be very happy if I coach Kotoko’s Youth team. That is my dream. I want to tender in my CV at Kotoko,” he told Kumasi based Ashh FM.
“I want to change the fortune of Kotoko Youth Academy.
“I know Kotoko for long when I was playing for Arsenal and also know how the fans react if they lose a match at home. I can stand any pressure.
“Ghana has talent but how to use them has been a problem,” he added.
The former Sunderland defender made 79 appearances for his country before hanging his boots.
2018 NPFL Champion and Lobi Stars defender, Ebube Duru says the club is determined to prove they are worthy of the champion status and have resumed preparation for next season.
D’Tigress have received a cash motivation of $10,000 if they defeat defending Champions Team USA in Today’s quarter-final game in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s women basketball team D’Tigress will take on the United States of America in their quarterfinal clash of the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Friday, September 28.
The Otis Hugley-led side have put their names in the history books following their impressive form which has seen them advance to the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time in the country’s history.
D’Tigress vs USA Time
D’Tigress take on defending champions USA on Friday, September 28 at 11:30 AM Nigerian time.
Germany yesterday won the right to stage the tournament, beating Turkey in a straight vote by Uefa’s executive committee in Nyon.
Three-time winners of the competition, Germany hosted the event in 1988 and have also staged the 1974 and 2006 World Cups.
“A tournament like this is exceptional for our country,” Germany’s World Cup-winning manager Low said.
“It’s a good step for the next few years, and everyone in the association can now plan ahead for it.
“Such a tournament can really motivate younger players as well.”
This is Turkey’s fourth defeat in the last five Euro bidding races and they had been hoping to mark the republic’s 100th anniversary in 2024 by staging their first major international football tournament.
But while Germany’s hotel stock, stadiums and transport infrastructure are all in place and of high quality, Turkey’s bid was marked down for needing to upgrade airports, railways, roads and stadiums, particularly at a time when their economy is struggling.
The country’s poor human rights record was also flagged up by a Uefa evaluation report.
“I feel the great anticipation and am mightily relieved,” said Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm.
“We’ve done a lot of preparation, and we want to share this and get everyone involved.”
With German federation president Reinhard Grindel and the Turkish federation’s vice-chairman Servet Yardimci ineligible to vote and Denmark’s Lars-Christer Olsson unwell, the decision was made by the 17 remaining members of the UEFA ExCo.
Germany won by 12 votes to four with one vote invalid.
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