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Olympic Games: Basketball Fans Back D’Tigress To Survive Group Of Death

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Olympic Games: Basketball Fans Back D’Tigress To Survive Group Of Death—-Basketball fans in Lagos have expressed the hope that Nigeria’s Senior National Women’s team, D’Tigress, will survive their Group of Death at the forthcoming Olympics in France.

They also told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that D’Tigress would need to work very hard to excell in their Group B which included Canada, Australia and the host country, France.

For Micheal Ezechie, a basketball fan, the right combination of players by Coach Rena Wakama would play a key role in Nigeria’s qualification from their group.

He also told NAN that the quality of players the head coach would assemble would be very helpful to the team’s overall performance.

“The Group B encounter with teams like Australia, Canada and France is definitely a tough one because the three teams are in the top 10 in International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA’s) rankings.

“For D’Tigress to qualify from the group, their level of hard work and preparations must be well-defined to make any impact.

“They must invite top quality international players who know what they can achieve and begin early preparations for the team to gel properly,” Ezechie said.

Also, Anthony Adekoya, another basketball fan, said the D’Tigress have proven their quality over time and are no strangers to major competition.

“It’s a tough group, but I have good confidence in the team’s capacity and capabilities to achieve a good outing at the coming Olympics Games in France.

“D’Tigress are no strangers to major competition. As they carry the African hope, they must rise to the occasion and do the nation proud,” Adekoya said.

Similarly, Chinedu Okoro, a fan of D’Tigress, said that the team would surprise many at the Olympics.

He said the team have the capacity to win one or two matches with its top notch players plying their trade at the international and major leagues in Europe and in the U.S.

“It’s a matter of training well for the competition. It is not an impossible feat for them to beat highly rated teams in world of basketball.

“With good determination and good team work D’Tigress should be able to pull some strings at the coming Olympics,” Okoro said.

Currently ranked 12th in the world, Nigeria are the sole flag bearer from Africa in the women’s basketball tournament while South Sudan is holding it down for the men at the Olympic Games.

Under the stewardship of coach Wakama D’Tigress, without a good camping programme, managed to secure a place at the Games.

D’Tigress defeated Senegal and lost to USA and Belgium during the play-off in Antwerp, Belgium in February.

D’Tigress finished 11th in their outings at the last two Olympic Games.

Nigeria will begin their quest for Olympic glory against Australia on July 29 before meeting France on the Aug. 1.

Their final match in the group stage will be against Canada.

Serbia, Spain, China and Paraguay are in Group A while World Champions USA, Germany, Belgium and Japan are the teams in Group C.

The top two teams in each of the group plus two best third countries will advance to the quarter-finals.

The draws have intensified the anticipation of this year’s Olympic Games Basketball Tournaments which will be held from July 27 to Aug. 11 in France.

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FIFA Launches Disciplinary Probe Into Argentina Over Misconduct At The 2026 World Cup

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FIFA Launches Disciplinary Probe Into Argentina Over Misconduct At The 2026 World Cup—-World football’s governing body has launched multiple disciplinary cases against the Argentine Football Association and several players over incidents ranging from political displays and discriminatory behaviour to post-final altercations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA has opened formal disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and several members of the national team over a series of alleged breaches committed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The governing body confirmed on Tuesday that it is investigating multiple incidents involving Argentina throughout the tournament, including the display of a politically charged banner following the team’s semi-final victory over England, allegations of discriminatory chants and gestures, team misconduct, security and protocol failures, as well as violent scenes that erupted after the World Cup final defeat to Spain.

Central to the investigation is the display of a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”) after Argentina’s semi-final triumph. FIFA regulations prohibit political, ideological or religious messages during official competitions, and the governing body is assessing whether the display breached its disciplinary code. Argentina were previously fined over a similar incident during the 2014 World Cup.

FIFA is also examining reports of discriminatory chants, inappropriate gestures, late kick-offs and security shortcomings involving both supporters and team officials during the tournament. The disciplinary committee said all alleged breaches would be reviewed before any sanctions are imposed.

Separate disciplinary cases have also been opened over the chaotic scenes that followed Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. Midfielder Leandro Paredes, defender Nahuel Molina and assistant coach Roberto Ayala are among those facing allegations of assault and unsporting conduct after confrontations involving Spanish players and officials at the final whistle. Other players from both teams are also being investigated for their involvement in the post-match altercations.

Under FIFA’s disciplinary process, the Argentine Football Association and the individuals involved will have the opportunity to submit their responses before any verdict is reached. Potential sanctions could range from financial penalties and suspensions to stadium restrictions or match bans, depending on the severity of the findings.

The proceedings mark one of the most significant disciplinary investigations of the 2026 World Cup and come after Argentina finished runners-up following their extra-time defeat to Spain. FIFA has stressed that no conclusions have yet been reached and that all parties are entitled to present their defence before the disciplinary committee delivers its final ruling.

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Bournemouth Foward Eli Junior Kroupi Set for 3–4 Months on Sidelines Amid Transfer Speculation

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Bournemouth Foward Eli Junior Kroupi Set for 3–4 Months on Sidelines Amid Transfer Speculation—-The Bournemouth striker has undergone surgery on a fractured metatarsal, dealing a major blow to clubs monitoring his situation and effectively ending speculation over a summer move.

Bournemouth have been dealt a significant setback after highly rated forward Eli Junior Kroupi was ruled out for between three and four months following a foot injury sustained during the club’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

The 20-year-old suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal during a training session and has since undergone successful surgery. Bournemouth confirmed the injury, with medical staff expecting the French youngster to return to action later this autumn, ruling him out for the opening months of the 2026–27 campaign.

Kroupi’s injury comes at a time when his future has been the subject of intense transfer speculation. Barcelona, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have all been credited with interest in the striker following his impressive debut Premier League season, in which he established himself as one of Europe’s brightest young attacking talents.

Barcelona had identified Kroupi as one of several options to strengthen their attack after encountering difficulties in pursuing other targets. However, the injury is expected to end any realistic prospect of a move this summer, with Bournemouth remaining determined to keep hold of the French forward despite growing interest from across Europe.

The Cherries have consistently maintained that Kroupi is not for sale and were reportedly prepared to reject offers unless they received an extraordinary bid. The injury further strengthens Bournemouth’s stance, as the club now focuses on the player’s recovery and long-term development rather than entertaining transfer negotiations.

Kroupi enjoyed a breakthrough 2025–26 campaign, scoring 12 Premier League goals and emerging as one of the division’s standout young forwards. His performances earned widespread praise and attracted interest from several elite clubs looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.

While the injury represents a frustrating setback for both player and club, Bournemouth remain optimistic that Kroupi will make a full recovery and return before the end of the calendar year. For now, however, any transfer rumours are expected to cool as the Frenchman begins his rehabilitation and shifts his focus toward regaining full fitness.

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