Sports

Milwaukee Bucks Edges Closer to Second NBA Championship

Published

5 years ago

19/07/2021

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Milwaukee Bucks is one win away from their second NBA Championship after defeating the Phoenix Suns 123-119 in Game 5 over the weekend and taking a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.

They will have an upper hand when the series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 6, a must-win on the road for the Suns.

The Bucks were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo who recorded 32 points and nine rebounds, with some big plays down the stretch from Khris Middleton (29 points and seven rebounds) and Jrue Holiday (27 points, 13 assists and three steals).

Devin Booker had a spectacular night for the Suns, scoring 40 points, but was stripped off the ball by Jrue Holiday in the Bucks’ pivotal defensive play late in the fourth quarter. Chris Paul had 21 points and 11 assists, and Deandre Ayton added 20 points and 10 rebounds.

For Nigerian basketball fans, Game 6 will be on Wednesday, 2:00 a.m. West African Time (WAT).

Speaking on this, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) said, “I feel like we don’t stop. I feel like — I’ve been a part of different teams. Usually when you’re down 15 or 16 or whatever, down 0-2 or whatever the case might be.

“You kind of stop competing in a way. But I feel like this team, we don’t do that. We haven’t done that all year long, I think. I can’t remember, I can’t go that far back, but we keep competing.

“I can’t get too carried away. I have to stay in the present. I can’t worry about the outcome. Obviously, we know what the deal is. It’s one game away from being an NBA champ, being in the history of this game, being always there. You know, nobody can take that away from you.

“Doing it in front of our families and our fans, it’s big. It’s going to be big. That can wait. We’ve got to focus and keep playing good basketball. We’ve got to go back home and we’ve got to recover.

“I’ve got to grab some burgers, eat something right now because I’m hungry. And then we’ve got to watch the clips and see what we did well, what we didn’t do well what can we do better. There are steps to it before the game.”

On his part, Jrue Holiday (Bucks) added, “Everybody. My brothers, my wife, my parents. I think during the game though, most of the time it’s probably Vin Baker. Vin Baker is always in my ear continually telling me to be aggressive, continually telling me to pick up full court and make it hard on Chris and Book and continually telling me I’m the greatest. Yeah, I give a lot of credit to him.”

Pat Connaughton (Bucks) made it known that “We don’t really care if it’s Bucks in whatever; we just want it to be Bucks, right. I think it’s been great to rally the fan base. I think they have actually had it for a few years, so it’s been a cool thing to hear and see. But at the end of the day, we go out there every single night trying to win, trying to represent the city of Milwaukee to the best of our ability.

“We’ve got to do it again. The job’s not done. It was a great win tonight. We had each other’s backs and there were ebbs and flows to the game that I think really brought us together and showed us that we can fight through adversity. But we’ve still got one more.”

Meanwhile, Chris Paul (Suns) was more optimistic saying, “It’s a 48-minute game. I’ll go back and look at it and see, but we got to play the way we started off the game, we got to put a full game together like that, especially going there. We got to win a game in Milwaukee, so that’s all that matters right now.”

As for Mikal Bridges (Suns) clarified that “We’re ready, man, we’re ready for next game. If you sulk about it, it’s, the blink of an eye the season is going to be over. So, we’ll learn from it, Coach is going to show clips and what we have to do better, but we know what we have to do. But we’re ready, man, just do or die. We lose it’s over. So, we got to go out there and play our way and go get Game 6.”

Sports

Easter Weekend Football Feast Takes Centre Stage on SuperSport

Published

1 day ago

03/04/2026

Business Post Contributor

The international break gives way to a packed Easter weekend of football across Europe, headlined by FA Cup quarter-final drama in England and high-stakes league action in Spain, Italy and France. With titles, European places and silverware all on the line, the margin for error is rapidly disappearing.

FA Cup: Heavyweights Collide in Quarter Finals

Saturday’s action is headlined by a blockbuster at 1:45 PM as Man City face Liverpool in a clash between two of England’s dominant forces. City arrive with momentum after their Carabao Cup triumph, while Liverpool will be eager to respond after a recent dip in form.

At 6:15 PM, Chelsea host Port Vale in a tie that carries enormous pressure for the Blues. Chelsea’s season has unravelled in recent weeks, while Port Vale continue to embrace their giant-killing run.

The quarter-finals continue at 8:00 PM as Southampton face Arsenal under the lights. Arsenal will be desperate to respond after their cup final disappointment, while Southampton will look to capitalise on home advantage.

Sunday rounds off the action at 5:30 PM with West Ham vs Leeds in an all-Premier League encounter, with both sides seeking momentum in an evenly matched contest.

All FA matches air live on SS Premier League (DStv Ch. 203, GOtv Ch. 65).

La Liga: Title Race Intensifies, Madrid Derby Looms

Saturday begins at 3:15 PM with Real Madrid travelling to Mallorca, aiming to maintain pressure at the top. The headline fixture follows at 8:00 PM as Atletico Madrid host Barcelona in a crucial meeting that could shape both the title race and the battle for the top four.

Sunday’s action features Getafe vs Athletic Club at 1:00 PM and Valencia vs Celta Vigo at 3:15 PM, before Monday night sees Girona take on Villarreal at 8:00 PM, with Villarreal looking to protect their position in third. La Liga matches air live on SS La Liga (DStv Ch. 204, GOtv Ch. 62).

Serie A: Pressure Mounts on Inter as Rivals Close In

Sunday night’s standout fixture comes at 7:45 PM as Inter host Roma, with the league leaders seeking to halt a dip in form.

Monday delivers a full schedule, beginning at 11:30 AM with Udinese vs Como, as the in-form visitors look to extend their remarkable run. Juventus face Genoa at 5:00 PM under mounting pressure, before Napoli host AC Milan at 7:45 PM in a decisive clash between Inter’s closest challengers. Serie A fixtures will be shown on SS Africa 2 (DStv Ch. 208, GOtv Ch. 64).

Ligue 1: Title Chase Heats Up Across France

Friday night opens at 7:45 PM with PSG hosting Toulouse, as the leaders balance domestic priorities with looming European commitments.

Saturday’s headline fixture at 8:05 PM sees Lille take on Lens in a high-stakes northern derby with title implications.

Sunday features Angers vs Lyon at 2:00 PM, before Monaco host Marseille at 7:45 PM in a crucial encounter that could reshape the race for Champions League qualification.

Ligue 1 matches air on SS Football (DStv Ch. 205, GOtv Ch. 61), with selected fixtures on SS Africa 1 (DStv Ch. 207, GOtv Ch. 63).

Weekend Highlights

FA Cup

Man City vs Liverpool — Sat, 1:45 PM
Chelsea vs Port Vale — Sat, 6:15 PM
Southampton vs Arsenal — Sat, 8:00 PM
West Ham vs Leeds — Sun, 5:30 PM

La Liga

Mallorca vs Real Madrid — Sat, 3:15 PM
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona — Sat, 8:00 PM
Getafe vs Athletic Club — Sun, 1:00 PM
Valencia vs Celta Vigo — Sun, 3:15 PM
Girona vs Villarreal — Mon, 8:00 PM

Serie A

Inter vs Roma — Sun, 7:45 PM
Udinese vs Como — Mon, 11:30 AM
Juventus vs Genoa — Mon, 5:00 PM
Napoli vs AC Milan — Mon, 7:45 PM

Ligue 1

PSG vs Toulouse — Fri, 7:45 PM
Lille vs Lens — Sat, 8:05 PM
Angers vs Lyon — Sun, 2:00 PM
Monaco vs Marseille — Sun, 7:45 PM

Watch Every Game

Catch all the action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.

Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.

Sports

World Cup 2026 African Players Watchlist

Published

3 days ago

01/04/2026

Business Post Contributor

As anticipation builds toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, African football continues to command global attention with a new generation of stars and established leaders ready to shine on the biggest stage. The World Cup 2026 African Players Watchlist highlights a blend of elite talent and rising influence, with key players expected to carry their nations deep into the tournament.

Leading the spotlight is Mohamed Salah, whose consistency, speed, and goal-scoring ability remain crucial for Egypt’s ambitions. Salah’s experience in high-pressure matches and his leadership role make him one of Africa’s most dependable performers heading into the tournament.

Nigeria’s hopes will heavily rely on Victor Osimhen, a striker known for his explosive pace, aerial strength, and clinical finishing. Osimhen has developed into one of Europe’s most feared forwards, and his ability to deliver in decisive moments could be key for the Super Eagles on the global stage. From Cameroon, Bryan Mbeumo brings versatility and attacking intelligence. His ability to operate across the front line, combined with his creativity and work rate, makes him a valuable asset in breaking down organized defenses.

Meanwhile, Hannibal Mejbri represents the new wave of African midfield talent. Known for his energy, technical skill, and vision, Mejbri adds dynamism and unpredictability to Tunisia’s setup, especially in high-tempo matches. These players reflect the tactical diversity and growing strength of African football. From attacking firepower to midfield creativity, their performances will shape not only their national teams’ success but also the overall competitiveness of African nations at the World Cup.

Tracking top-performing players and key moments gives you a sharper edge when breaking down fixtures and spotting winning opportunities. Easywin Nigeria makes it simple to turn that insight into real value, offering competitive odds, live match updates, fast payout systems, instant withdrawal options, cashback rewards, and a rewarding double deposit offer that keeps you in control.

Step into the excitement of World Cup 2026 with Easywin Nigeria. Stay ahead with smart predictions, explore upcoming matches, and unlock cashback benefits alongside the double deposit offer, all on a secure and seamless platform built for a winning experience. The World Cup 2026 African Players Watchlist showcases the continent’s growing influence in global football. With stars like Salah, Osimhen, Mbeumo, and Mejbri leading the charge, Africa is set to deliver excitement, quality, and unforgettable moments on football’s biggest stage.

Sports

Roberto De Zerbi Joins Tottenham as New Head Coach

Published

4 days ago

01/04/2026

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

Italian professional manager and former player, Roberto De Zerbi, has returned to England to serve as the new Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur’s football team.

He will fight to ensure the London team does not play in the Championship next season, as the team currently sits one point from relegation.

The former Brighton manager is taking over from Igor Tudor, who parted ways with Tottenham a few days ago.

In a statement, Spurs said the appointment of De Zerbi is subject to a work permit.

The club’s Sporting Director, Mr Johan Lange, said, “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.

“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”

Reacting to his choice for the job, De Zerbi said, “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.

“In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.

“Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season. I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.”

De Zerbi earned almost 300 appearances in his playing career across 15 years. He began coaching in his native Italy and in June 2018, joined Serie A side Sassuolo, earning recognition for his exciting, attack-minded and possession-based approach.

He took charge of Shakhtar Donetsk in May 2021, leading them to the UEFA Champions League group stage and the Ukrainian Super Cup – his first piece of silverware as a coach.

Heading to East Sussex to join Brighton & Hove Albion in September 2022, De Zerbi helped secure the Seagulls’ highest-ever Premier League finish in his debut season, earning European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.

In his most recent role at Marseille, the Ligue 1 side finished as runners-up in 2024/25, earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League.