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FIBA U-16 African Championship: Nigeria shift focus to Angola

Published

6 years ago

July 8, 2019

FIBA U-16 African Championship: Nigeria shift focus to Angola

Nigeria’s U-16 basketball team Head Coach, Fubara Onyanabo, is not carried away by the massive victory against host- Cape Verde after securing a 64-39 points win at the FIBA U-16 African Championship.

Fubara said all attention has now been shifted to their third game on Tuesday against Angola who had earlier lost to 3 time Champions, Egypt by 61-86 points.

The coach praised his boys for playing to instruction which gave them the massive victory which he said has boosted their confidence ahead of the game against Angola.

After the loss to Egypt, the boys bounced back to pull off a win in front of the intimidating home fans as Reuben Abuchi Chinyelu posted a double-double performance, coming off the bench to score 20 points and 21 rebounds.

James Othuke Okemerie was the second best scorer of the night with 12 points while Bormini Victor Dennis contributed 8 points and 2 assists.

The Port Harcourt based coach said the tactics to be adopted will be uniquely tailored to the opposition while assuring Nigeria of an improved performance by the lads when they file out for their third game at the ongoing FIBA u-16 African Championship campaign.

“Everything depends on the strength and quality of the opposition. The Cape Verdeans are not too tall and strong, while against Egypt, we were out rebounded both offensively and defensively but against Cape Verde, it was different.

“We are going to adopt a different strategy against Angola. We are coming to the court and we are not going to respect anybody because we are all here to ball”, Fubara said.

Having admitted that the journey to the final seems far, Fubara said the only way to appreciate the Nigeria Basketball Federation is to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Bulgaria.

“As you are aware, the last time we took part in this competition was in 2015. For the NBBF to bring us here means we are here for serious business. We are here to qualify for the World Cup”

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

1 week ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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