Exclusives

Ahead of the crucial World Cup billed to take place in Russia, Ronaldo Nazario has offered to advise Brazil International Neymar to focus on his wellbeing especially now that he is recovering from a recent surgery after sustaining grievous injury. The former Barcelona and Real Madrid centre-forward who had similar problems in 2002 warned the Paris Saint-Germain ace to be cautious.

The iconic FIFA World Cup trophy touched down in Lagos on Friday after the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, received it in Abuja on Wednesday. The FIFA World Cup trophy is on a four day tour of Nigeria. A press conference was held at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was fastest, lapping in 1m20.396s and completing 171 laps – equal to nearly 800km and more than two and a half race distances at the Circuit de Catalunya. Vettel posted his fastest lap on the medium tyres, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas second on softs with a time 0.200s slower.

The Federation of International Basketball Association, FIBA will today deliver judgment on the electoral crisis that has bedevilled the Nigeria Basketball Federation during its first meeting of 2018. FIBA will be relying on the report of the 3-man fact-finding team that comprised of Executive Director, Africa, Alphonse Bile; Special Advisor to Secretary-General, Mr. Lubomir Kotleba and Competition Commission member Fode Amara Conde.

British cyclist Mark Cavendish suffered a fractured rib and injuries to his knees, hips, hands and some swelling on his face in a crash, his team has revealed. According to the BCC, Cavendish was taken to hospital during Wednesday's opening stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy.

Genrot Rohr, Super Eagles coach, has released a 28-man list for the Super Eagles friendlies against Serbia and Poland. The French-German tactician named captain John Obi Mikel and NFF Player of the Year winner, Victor Moses, to lead the way for the tune-ups, with Torino's Obi and Al Ahly's Ajayi also on the list.