Olumide Atiba, THEWILL

ESPN's NBA Rank 2026 has produced an unusually tight battle at the top, with just three voting points separating Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the final ranking for the 2026-27 regular season.

D’Tigress have become Africa’s dominant women’s national team, winning a record fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025, while D’Tigers have repeatedly found themselves fighting battles away from the court.

The UEFA Nations League delivered a night of contrasting results as six matches produced goals, comebacks and early statements across the competition.

Erling Haaland's nine-year Manchester City contract is suddenly attracting almost as much attention as the club's unprecedented financial case.

Nigeria opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Madagascar, but the narrow result highlighted the pressure surrounding a Group L contest in which only one non-host nation can secure qualification.

The opening round featured managerial debuts, newly promoted teams making their mark and several closely contested encounters. While Greece secured an impressive victory in Belgrade, the Netherlands denied Germany a winning start after Cody Gakpo’s late equaliser in Amsterdam.

Former Real Madrid defender, David Alaba, has joined Udinese on a one-year contract, bringing an end to his time as a free agent following his departure from the Spanish giants.

The two former world champions will meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with the confirmation ending a prolonged wait for a fight that has been discussed for more than a decade.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are entering a new phase under Eric Chelle, with 13 players receiving their first senior invitations as the coach looks beyond the established stars to strengthen his options for the future.

Nigeria head coach, Eric Chelle, faces several selection decisions as the Super Eagles prepare to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.