Sports Groove

…We struggled to find our rhythm – Okonkwo   By Maxwell Kumoye and Trust Ittai  France crushed African champions Nigeria 111-56 to finish top of Group B at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany, leaving the D’Tigresses winless. African champions Nigeria suffered their third consecutive defeat at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany after France produced a devastating shooting display. Nigeria struggled from the opening tip as the French side imposed its quality and tempo on the contest, leaving the D’Tigresses unable to establish any rhythm in what turned into a one-sided encounter at the Berlin Arena. France raced to 31 points in the opening quarter before adding another 34 in the second to take a commanding 65-26 lead into halftime. The French continued their dominance after the interval, scoring 30 points in the third quarter before easing off in the final period after the damage had already been done. The defeat capped a difficu...

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal have the potential to surpass the level that delivered their Premier League title last season after the champions produced an impressive comeback to defeat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners were forced to recover from a nightmare start when Morgan Rogers struck inside two minutes to give Chelsea an early advantage. Arsenal responded with character and attacking intent, however, with Kai Havertz restoring parity in the 25th minute before captain Martin Ødegaard completed the turnaround five minutes into the second half.  The victory maintained Arsenal's perfect start to the campaign, with three wins from three matches, and marked their most convincing performance yet after earlier victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa. Arteta was particularly impressed by the way his players responded to conceding so early, praising their determination, composure and quality against a Chelsea side under new manager Xabi Alonso...

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, demanding greater transparency over the handling of Folarin Balogun’s controversial red-card suspension at the 2026 World Cup. The Belgian federation said on Monday that it could not back Infantino’s re-election unless FIFA provides satisfactory answers to its concerns over the disciplinary decision involving the United States forward, as well as broader questions about governance and transparency within the world governing body.  Balogun was initially handed an automatic one-match suspension after being sent off during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ban was subsequently suspended by FIFA, clearing him to feature against Belgium in the next round. The decision became particularly contentious after U.S. President Donald Trump personally contacted Infantino and urged him to review the case. Belgium went...

Lewis Hamilton has called for clearer written rules of engagement at Ferrari after an opening-lap battle with teammate Charles Leclerc cost both drivers valuable ground at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. The Ferrari pair started alongside each other on the second row, but their aggressive fight through the opening lap ended with Hamilton being forced onto the gravel and tumbling from fourth to 10th. Leclerc’s race was even more costly. The Monegasque driver suffered a heavy crash at the end of the second lap, bringing his afternoon at Ferrari’s home race to an early conclusion. Speaking after the race, Leclerc acknowledged that he and Hamilton had pushed their battle too far on the opening lap. Hamilton, meanwhile, said the incident highlighted the need for Ferrari to establish explicit guidelines governing how its drivers are allowed to race one another. The Briton recovered to finish sixth, but the result left him 76 points adrift of Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi A...

Fiorentina have parted company with Fabio Grosso after just three Serie A matches, with the club’s decision coming after a miserable start that has left them rooted to the bottom of the table. The Italian side confirmed Grosso’s dismissal on Sunday following a 2-1 home defeat to Torino, their third consecutive loss of the campaign. The Viola opened the season with a heavy 4-0 defeat away to AS Roma before suffering another setback at home, going down 3-0 to newly promoted Frosinone. Saturday’s narrow loss to Torino completed a disastrous opening run in which Fiorentina scored just once and conceded nine goals. The poor results prompted the club to act swiftly, despite Grosso having only taken charge less than three months earlier. The 48-year-old former Italy international was appointed on June 8, replacing Paolo Vanoli, and had signed a two-year contract. Grosso arrived in Florence after an impressive spell at Sassuolo, whom he guided to promotion to Serie A before oversee...

By Mishael Emmanuel    The race for the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidency has taken a contentious turn, with concerns mounting over alleged attempts to reshape the federation’s voting structure before the 2026 elections. The latest controversy centres on the leadership of State Basketball Associations, with some stakeholders claiming that changes in the leadership of associations could ultimately influence who represents various states at the NBBF Elective Congress. The development has triggered questions within basketball circles about whether the forthcoming election will be determined strictly by the existing basketball stakeholders or influenced by political and administrative interests. The NBBF is yet to announce the date of its Extra-Ordinary General Assembly or publish the official electoral guidelines and timetable for the 2026–2030 board elections. However, stakeholders allege that lobbying has already begun, with claims that a Director-Gene...

By Trust Ittai     Nigeria is set to witness a major milestone in the development of inclusive sports as the American Football Elite Development (AFEDEV) prepares to stage the maiden Wheelchair American Football Exhibition Game at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) basketball court, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on September 10. The one-day event is designed not only to introduce wheelchair American football to a wider Nigerian audience but also to lay the foundation for a structured adaptive league that will provide athletes with disabilities an opportunity to compete, develop their talents and pursue sporting careers. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, AFEDEV founder, Lawrence Ojaideh, described the initiative as a historic step for American football in Nigeria, stressing that the organisation's vision goes beyond staging a single exhibition. “As we gather for this press conference, we are not just announcing an upcoming Exhibition Game; we are unv...

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will press ahead with his bid for another term in office despite mounting opposition triggered by a controversial proposal to sell a stake in the governing body's competitions to private investors. FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Infantino's plans to contest the 2027 presidential election remain unchanged, amid increasing pressure over the abandoned investment scheme and growing criticism from within the football community. The Swiss-Italian administrator announced in April that he would seek re-election, and FIFA said there had been no change to that decision. "The FIFA president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election," a FIFA spokesperson said. Infantino's position has come under renewed scrutiny following the collapse of a proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. ...

Brahim Hemdani has been appointed Algeria’s new head coach, with the former international taking charge just weeks before the Desert Foxes begin their qualification campaign for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations. The French-born Hemdani, 48, has been handed the senior national team job after only two months in charge of Algeria’s under-20 side. His appointment represents a rapid rise through the national-team coaching structure, despite his relatively limited experience in senior management. Hemdani enjoyed a distinguished playing career, featuring for French club Olympique de Marseille before moving to Scotland, where he represented Rangers. He also earned two caps for Algeria in 2008. His transition into coaching has been more modest, with Hemdani previously working with amateur clubs in France before taking over the Algeria U-20 team earlier this year.

Lionel Messi made an immediate impact on his return to club football, providing an assist as Inter Miami were held to a 2-2 draw by Atlanta United in Florida on Saturday. The appearance was Messi’s first since the Argentine announced his retirement from international football earlier in the week, bringing a new chapter to his illustrious career with the national team. The 39-year-old started and captained Inter Miami in a match that was delayed by more than 90 minutes because of heavy rain and lightning before eventually getting underway. Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup triumph in 2022 and captained the team to a runners-up finish at the 2026 tournament, remained a central figure for Miami despite the difficult weather conditions. His assist helped Inter Miami find the net twice, but Atlanta United twice responded to ensure the points were shared in a dramatic contest. The draw leaves Miami with more work to do as they continue their MLS campaign, while Messi's re...

By Trust Ittai and Maxwell Kumoye The American Football Development (AFEDEV) initiative has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform competitive tackle football in Nigeria through the launch of a structured league backed by technology-driven athlete identification and development. The initiative is designed to create a sustainable pathway for Nigerian athletes by combining high-level competition, player safety, professional administration and data-based talent development. According to AFEDEV Board Member and former Chief Technology Officer, Josiah Onu Orie, the Tackle League is being positioned as a major platform for athletes to sharpen their skills, gain competitive experience and potentially earn opportunities beyond Nigeria. Orie described tackle football as the ultimate test of “strategy, strength and collective discipline”, citing the National Football League (NFL) as the global benchmark and a dream destination for many athletes. He said the AFEDEV Tackle League woul...

Pierre Gasly produced a sensational qualifying performance at Monza on Saturday, upsetting the established favourites to secure the first pole position of his Formula One career with Alpine at the Italian Grand Prix. The Frenchman, who famously won the 2020 Italian Grand Prix with AlphaTauri, now known as Racing Bulls, delivered when it mattered most, edging Mercedes driver George Russell with his final flying lap. Gasly stopped the clock at 1:21.786, finishing just 0.060 seconds ahead of Russell to secure a remarkable pole on home soil of sorts. The Alpine driver lives in nearby Milan, making the achievement even more significant. The result marks a major breakthrough for both Gasly and Alpine, who have endured a difficult season but found the pace when it counted at one of Formula One's most historic circuits. It is also Alpine's first Formula One pole since the Renault works team was rebranded as Alpine in 2021, underlining the significance of Gasly's stunnin...

By Maxwell Kumoye     Nigeria’s D’Tigresses suffered their second consecutive defeat at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Saturday, going down 71-67 to Hungary in a closely fought Group B encounter. The result leaves the reigning African champions searching for answers after another frustrating outing in Berlin, with head coach Rena Wakama admitting that her side again struggled to find their rhythm early enough. Nigeria created several opportunities but failed to capitalise consistently, particularly from the free-throw line, where they converted just 12 of 23 attempts. Wakama said the team’s inability to put together a complete performance remained a major concern ahead of their final group game against France. “It was another rough game. It’s tough when your shots aren’t falling,” Wakama said. “I thought we got great looks in the first half, really, really good looks and we got to the free-throw line. But we finished the game shooting 12 of 23 from the fr...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Port Harcourt Hoops N’ Read finally found their winning touch at the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final 8 Playoffs on Friday September 4, 2026, battling past Lagos Raptors 64-60 to end a frustrating five-game losing streak in Port Harcourt. The Lagos-based side, who had struggled to make an impact in their opening games of the playoffs, produced their most determined performance of the competition to secure their first victory and give themselves a much-needed confidence boost heading into their final game. It was a game of momentum swings, with neither side able to establish lasting control. Hoops N’ Read made the brighter start, taking the first quarter 20-14, but Lagos Raptors responded emphatically in the second period, outscoring their opponents 19-8 to overturn the deficit and take a 33-28 lead into the halftime break. The game changed complexion after the restart as Francis Anekwe and his teammates stepped up their ...

...Cameroon take bronze By Maxwell Kumoye     Egypt ended a 23-year wait for the African women’s volleyball title after producing a dominant performance to defeat hosts Kenya 3-0 in the final of the 2026 Women’s African Volleyball Championship. The Egyptians overwhelmed Kenya 25-21, 25-15, 25-15 at the Kasarani Arena on Friday to claim their fourth continental crown and, in the process, secure Africa’s qualification ticket for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Egypt’s victory brought back memories of their previous triumphs in 1976, 1989 and 2003, with the latest success restoring the North Africans to the summit of African women’s volleyball. The hosts struggled to cope with Egypt’s intensity and organisation as the visitors established control early in the final. Kenya pushed hard in the opening set but Egypt held firm to take it 25-21 before stepping up their performance in the second and third sets. The 25-15, 25-15 victories in the final two sets completed a...

By Maxwell Kumoye     The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has disclosed that Nigeria is set to embark on a comprehensive reform of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following consultations with world football governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Dikko said the reform became necessary after the resignation of the entire NFF board and the General Secretariat, which created a legal vacuum because the federation’s existing statutes did not provide for a situation where no recognised body was left to run its affairs. According to him, the Nigerian government immediately approached FIFA to explain the situation and seek a lawful way forward. “After the resignation of the entire board of the NFF and the General Secretariat, naturally, we had a lacuna because there was no provision in the rule book for a situation where nobody was left to legally run the NFF within the framework of the existing rule...

By Maxwell Kumoye     Nigeria’s D’Tigresses have promised to return stronger when they face Hungary on Saturday after suffering a 99-81 defeat to South Korea in their opening game of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany. The result was a difficult start for the African champions, who struggled to contain a disciplined South Korean side that moved the ball efficiently and punished Nigeria’s defensive lapses throughout the game. Captain Amy Okonkwo admitted that South Korea’s movement and shooting proved difficult for D’Tigress to handle. “Today was a tough game. South Korea is a really good team. They move the ball a lot, they shoot a lot, and today we just weren't able to stop them in that regard,” Okonkwo said after the game. Head coach of D’Tigresses Rena Wakama also acknowledged that his team knew the challenge that awaited them, having faced South Korea two months earlier. According to her, South Korea’s cohesion and discipline made the...

Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari fans an early reason to celebrate at Monza on Friday, setting the fastest time as the Scuderia secured a one-two finish in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc posted a best lap of 1:23.008, edging teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.173 seconds as Ferrari immediately showed strong pace at its home circuit. The result was greeted enthusiastically by the thousands of Ferrari supporters who had filled the historic Monza circuit, with the famous tifosi creating the traditional sea of red around the track. Mercedes' George Russell completed the top three, finishing 0.304 seconds behind Leclerc. Russell is level on points with Hamilton in the championship standings, adding further significance to the opening session. Red Bull's Liam Lawson was fourth fastest, continuing his stint as a replacement for the injured Isack Hadjar, while Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli finished fifth. Championship leader Antonelli faces a difficul...

Around 15,000 spectators are expected in Katowice on Saturday as the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup gets underway in Poland, but the attendance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains uncertain. The tournament, which runs from September 5 to 27 across four Polish cities, marks the first major FIFA competition since a bitter governance dispute erupted over Infantino’s controversial proposal to bring private investors into the commercial rights of FIFA competitions. The fallout has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF among those calling for his resignation. Despite the mounting pressure, the 56-year-old has said he intends to seek a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in March 2027. No challenger has formally entered the race, although UEFA has indicated it will work with other confederations to identify an alternative candidate.  FIFA was unable to confirm on Friday whether Infantino would attend Satur...

Liam Lawson faced an unusual preparation challenge ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, having to familiarise himself with two distinctly different Formula One cars while waiting to discover which team he would represent. The uncertainty was finally resolved on Wednesday when Red Bull confirmed that Lawson would remain with the senior team for a second consecutive race. The New Zealander has been drafted in to replace injured French rookie Isack Hadjar, who will miss the Monza round as he continues his recovery. Yuki Tsunoda, meanwhile, will take Lawson’s place at Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, continuing his role as the substitute driver for the second successive weekend. Lawson admitted that the uncertainty had forced him to maintain close contact with both sets of engineers since stepping in at last month’s Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Asked which engineering group he had primarily been working with, Lawson said he had deliberately kept both options open ...

...Automatic slots not guaranteed as 43 players make selection list   By Maxwell Kumoye     The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has reduced the minimum eligibility requirement for players seeking to participate in the qualification process for the 2026 African Scrabble Championship (ASC) from 50 to 30 NSF-rated games. The decision followed a review of the number of NSF-rated games played by players between January and August 2026.  The revised 30-game benchmark will now form the basis for the selection and invitation of players to the ASC 2026 qualifiers. A total of 43 players have been listed in the selection pool, comprising eight automatic qualifiers, three approved home-based wildcard recipients and 30 players under provisional Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) consideration. All players on the selection list are required to participate in the qualifiers, including those who secured automatic slots through NSF rankings, female rankings or championship sta...