Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Friday that he was “confident” that Kylian Mbappe will be available to face Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

“He’s getting better day by day,” Arbeloa said at a press conference. “He won’t be there tomorrow (Saturday, in La Liga against Elche), but I’m confident he’ll be on the trip to Manchester.”

With Mbappe sidelined by a knee injury and several other key players missing, Real thrashed City 3–0 in the first leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, thanks to a hat-trick from Federico Valverde.

City host the second leg next Tuesday and risk being knocked out of Europe by Madrid for the third season in a row.

France forward Mbappe, hampered by a sprain to his left knee since late December, has not played since withdrawing from the squad to face Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League knockout phase play-off round on February 25.

Mbappe has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances for his club this season.

His expected return for Madrid comes ahead of the international break, where France will face Brazil and Colombia in pre-World Cup friendlies in the United States.

AFP

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Head Coach of Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, Rena Wakama, has urged her players to quickly move past their loss to South Korea.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that D’Tigress lost 77–60 to the Asian side on Thursday, the first time Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team has been defeated by South Korea.

Nigeria kept the contest close in the first two quarters, trailing narrowly 36–32, but failed to maintain momentum in the third and fourth quarters as the game slipped away.

Victoria Macaulay led Nigeria’s effort, scoring 22 points and grabbing six rebounds after her Most Valuable Player performance in the opening game against Colombia.

Wakama said the team must refocus and improve ahead of their next game against the Philippines at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon, France.

She said the defeat offered important lessons, while commending the Korean side for their strong performance.

“Korea is a great team. We struggled with our shooting and had 22 turnovers, which is not typical of our game,” she said.

“Our mentality is strong, and we will not overreact to the loss. We will learn from it and prepare better for the next game,” Wakama added.

She said the Koreans applied intense physical pressure, disrupted Nigeria’s passing lanes, and effectively double-teamed key players.

“They did a great job defensively. Credit to them for the way they played,” Wakama said.

South Korea are aiming to secure one of two available World Cup tickets in the round-robin qualifying tournament.

Nigeria and Germany have already qualified for the FIBA Women’s World Cup scheduled for September in Berlin, Germany.

Both teams are participating in the qualifiers mainly as part of preparations for the global tournament.

The qualifying tournament is being held simultaneously in four countries: France, Turkey, Puerto Rico, and China.

Teams are competing across the venues for the remaining slots at the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

D’Tigress will face the Philippines on Saturday before their final matches against France and Germany.

(NAN)

The countdown is officially on: just 100 days remain until one of the most anticipated moments in FIFA World Cup history, the 1,000th match of the tournament.

On June 20, Tunisia and Japan will step onto the pitch at the iconic Monterrey Stadium in Mexico to contest this historic fixture, marking a milestone that underscores the enduring legacy of the world’s most popular sporting event.

The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, has grown into a global celebration of football, bringing together nations and fans from every continent.

Since the inaugural tournament in 1930, the World Cup has been the stage for legendary goals, unforgettable upsets, and moments that have transcended sport.

Reaching the 1,000th match is a testament to decades of footballing excellence, cultural significance, and the universal love for the game.

According to a post on FIFA’s X handle on Friday, the world football governing body was quoted as saying, “100 days to go until the 1,000th @FIFAWorldCup match  Tunisia and Japan will make history when they contest this landmark fixture at the iconic Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on June 20.”

Monterrey Stadium, known for its passionate supporters and electric atmosphere, will provide the perfect backdrop for this landmark match.

Both Tunisia and Japan, nations with rich footballing histories, will have the opportunity to write their names into the tournament’s record books.

Tunisia, having qualified for several World Cups since their debut in 1978, will look to showcase their disciplined and tactical style of play.

Japan, a regular at the tournament since 1998, is renowned for its technical skill and organised approach, making the clash an intriguing tactical contest.

Beyond the numerical significance, the 1,000th match represents the global growth of football. From the early tournaments in Uruguay and Italy to the modern spectacles in stadiums like Qatar’s Lusail Stadium and Mexico’s Monterrey Stadium, the World Cup has evolved into an event watched by billions around the world. This milestone is a celebration of football’s capacity to unite diverse cultures and communities, creating shared memories that span generations.

Fans and football analysts alike are eagerly speculating about the impact of this historic match. Social media and global coverage are already generating excitement, with supporters of both teams celebrating the chance to participate in such a unique moment. Players from Tunisia and Japan have spoken about the honor of being part of history, emphasizing that the milestone adds extra motivation to deliver memorable performances.

The 1,000th match is also symbolic of football’s ability to inspire. Every World Cup has stories of determination, resilience, and teamwork that have captivated audiences. This milestone game serves as a reminder of the sport’s global reach, highlighting how football has become a universal language, connecting people across borders, languages, and cultures.

As the world counts down to June 20, anticipation continues to build. Tunisia and Japan are not only playing for points in the tournament but also for the chance to be forever linked to a landmark moment in football history. For fans, this match is more than just a game it is a celebration of the FIFA World Cup’s storied past, its present vibrancy, and its bright future.

With just 100 days to go, the 1,000th FIFA World Cup match promises to be a spectacle that will be remembered long after the final whistle, cementing its place as one of the tournament’s most historic milestones.

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