🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
D'Tigress to play Los Angeles Sparks in historic WNBA pre-season game
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Nigeria's women's basketball team, D'Tigress, is set to play the Los Angeles Sparks in a pre-season fixture today, marking the first game of their three-game United States tour. This event is historic as Nigeria becomes the first African national team and only the fourth international team to face a WNBA side. The game, scheduled for 8:00 pm Nigerian time at Viejas Arena in San Diego, is part of D'Tigress's preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. The team features a youthful squad with 15 players from United States college programs, including Maryland guard Oluchi Okananwa and Stephanie Okechukwu, the tallest player in NCAA women’s basketball history. Despite the young talent, the team maintains an experienced core with players like Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara. Assistant coach Wani Muganguzi will lead the team during the tour due to head coach Rena Wakama's WNBA commitments. Wakama emphasized the importance of competing against WNBA talent for the team's growth and development. The Los Angeles Sparks, with a reshaped roster including Ariel Atkins and Nneka Ogwumike, will also use the game to test their team. This tour is crucial for D'Tigress to test their systems and cohesion under pressure, ahead of the World Cup in Berlin where they are in Group B with France, South Korea, and Hungary.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
DOHS Care Foundation, a non-profit organization, has partnered with TSM House Agency, a technology-driven initiative, to address femicide and other forms of gender-based violence in the country. Ololade Ajayi, the founder of DOHS Care Foundation, stated that this collaboration leverages technology, media, and advocacy to combat sexual and gender-based violence. The partnership combines DOHS's expertise in advocacy, survivor support, and research with TSM House Agency's strengths in digital strategy, design, and technology development. This aims to create a more responsive, data-driven, and accessible ecosystem for prevention, reporting, and awareness. The initiative will be implemented in phases, focusing on strengthening DOHS's digital infrastructure, expanding awareness campaigns, and enhancing tools for tracking and responding to SGBV and femicide cases. Specific plans include redesigning the DOHS website for improved accessibility, developing an SGBV case dashboard for better data tracking and reporting, and capacity building through digital safety workshops. Ajayi emphasized that the partnership is focused on saving lives, amplifying voices, and ensuring women and girls have access to necessary tools, information, and support.
Nigeria’s Maktown Flyers are set to make their Basketball Africa League debut today, April 25, against Ivory Coast’s Jeunesse Club d’Abidjan Kings in Rabat. This match, scheduled for 3:00 PM Nigerian time, is part of the Sahara Conference group phase, which runs from April 24 to May 3 in the Moroccan capital. The Flyers, who secured the 2025 national title, are one of three teams making their first appearance in the 2026 Sahara Conference, alongside Club Africain and JCA Kings. JCA Kings will be looking to bounce back from an opening defeat to hosts FUS Rabat. Head coach Abdulrahman Mohammed expressed confidence in the Flyers, emphasizing that determination can overcome their limited experience. The team has focused on building cohesion among players from diverse backgrounds. Key players include Jawad Adekoya for the Flyers, and Chris Crawford and Jonathan Cisse for JCA Kings. The top four teams from the conference will advance to the BAL playoffs in May.
Farooq Oreagba, also known as Mr Steeze, a capital market executive and cultural ambassador, recently discussed his approach to life after battling cancer and his dedication to Tottenham Hotspur. Oreagba, who gained attention at the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, emphasizes the importance of fitness, stating that exercise, whether golf, gym, or running, improves one's chances when facing health challenges. He began running marathons after his cancer diagnosis in 2017 to raise money for charity. Oreagba maintains a strict routine, often running early in the morning before work, which he believes enhances his productivity. Beyond individual sports, he has a competitive background, having played squash since age 11 and semi-professional rugby until 2008. He is a "fanatical" Tottenham Hotspur supporter of over 20 years and a season ticket holder, viewing the team's resilience through adversity as a parallel to his own fight against cancer. He also follows Nigerian football, particularly Remo Stars, due to his friendship with Kunle Soname. Regarding tattoos, Oreagba, who had them before his cancer diagnosis, sees them as a form of art that accompanies one to the grave.
Must ReadThe National Sports Commission has announced plans to conduct open trials in the United Kingdom for Nigerian diaspora athletes. This initiative, called the Invited Diaspora Athletes programme, aims to integrate Nigerian-born athletes living abroad into the country’s sporting structure and establish clear pathways to national teams. Outstanding performers from these trials will be considered for the new Nigerian Intermediate Games, designed for athletes aged 17 to 19 to bridge the developmental gap between youth and elite competitions. Director general of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, stated that these reforms are part of a long-term strategy to reposition Nigerian sport and ensure no talent is overlooked. Olopade emphasized that the commission is building a sustainable pipeline for future champions, from discovering grassroots talent through the Invited Junior Athletes programme to opening doors for diaspora talents and creating the Intermediate Games. The overall goal is to provide a clear development structure for athletes at every level, ensuring every athlete has a defined pathway to reach elite performance and represent Nigeria. The NSC expects 200 Nigerian athletes based abroad to attend trials in the UK in May, aiming for continuity in athlete development and better preparation for senior-level competition. This move builds on the success of the Invited Junior Athletes programme and complements existing National Youth Games for younger athletes and th