SPORTS

Retirement Can Make You Feel “Like An Alien” In Tennis, Says Roger Federer

Published

9 mins ago

September 19, 2024

Roger Federer says retirement make you feel 'like an alien' | fab.ng

Roger Federer, the 43-year-old tennis legend, discussed his post-retirement involvement in the sport on Wednesday. He revealed that staying connected to tennis has helped him avoid feeling “like an alien.” His remarks came as he prepared for this week’s Laver Cup tournament in Berlin.

Federer played a pivotal role in establishing the Laver Cup. He retired from professional tennis at this same event in London two years ago. Since then, he has remained closely involved with the competition, continuing to serve as an ambassador.

“I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters.

“I feel I ripped the bandaid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there.

“I don’t feel like an alien, which is a good thing because you can feel like that very quickly.

“People (and) players ask you ‘what are you doing here?’ and you’re like ‘exactly – if you keep talking like this, I will never come back’.”

He continued, “I’m happy I’m still able to feel comfortable in a setting like this because it would be so much easier just to stay home, get comfortable at home and realise you don’t need to be on tour anymore.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, expressed his admiration for rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. According to him, he looked forward to next year’s Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were absent from this year’s Laver Cup. But Federer remained optimistic about their future prospects.

“With Rafa we don’t know – it remains to be seen. It’s hard for me to make a prediction on Rafa because of the little tennis he has played this year.

“Novak, winning the Olympics and playing somewhat let’s say a full season – he didn’t bow out because of injuries, he chose to play less which is normal when you get a bit older. I feel like he has chances moving forward.

“I look forward to Australia which is the next Slam; I think he’s definitely going to be one of the favourites along with Sinner and Alvarez; I think the Australian Open story will be a very cool one to follow.”

Nadal withdrew from the Laver Cup due to an injury. However, his fellow Spaniard Alcaraz will participate as a member of Team Europe, competing against Team World. German player Alexander Zverev will also represent Team Europe.

Federer commented on Zverev’s Grand Slam prospects, stating that he was “so close” to securing his first major title. The tennis legend advised that Zverev needs to adopt a more aggressive approach during critical moments in matches.

“I see someone who’s playing much too passively, much too defensively when it matters the most,” he said.

“I think (Zverev) has to remind himself to try to not be too passive and then I think honestly something really great can happen for him.”

Team Europe claimed victory in the first four Laver Cup events, beginning in 2017. However, Team World has emerged triumphant in the last two competitions.

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Rema, Omah Lay & Shallipopi Bring Afrobeats To EA Sports FC 25 Soundtrack

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MUSIC

Rema, Omah Lay & Shallipopi Bring Afrobeats To EA Sports FC 25 Soundtrack

Published

2 days ago

September 17, 2024

Reporter

Rema Bring Afrobeats To EA Sports FC 25 Soundtrack | fab.ng

EA Sports has once again brought football and music together by unveiling the soundtrack for the 25th edition of EA Football Club. This year, Afrobeats takes centre stage. Nigerian music sensations Rema, Shallipopi, and Omah Lay feature alongside a global lineup of artists. The highly anticipated football video game will launch on September 27, 2024.

Rema’s hit single “Benin Boys,” which features Shallipopi and Omah Lay’s chart-topping track “Moving,” are among the highlights of this year’s soundtrack. These tracks show the expanding global influence of African music, particularly Afrobeats, in the world of sports entertainment.

This year marks Rema’s second appearance on the EA Football Club soundtrack. He first featured on FIFA 21’s VOLTA Football soundtrack with his track “Beamer.” That soundtrack also included notable Nigerian artists such as Fireboy DML, Burna Boy, Ms. Banks, and Nnena.

Joining the Afrobeats representation is UK-based Nigerian artist Obongjayar, whose 2022 hit “Tomorrow Man” also features on the game’s extensive tracklist.

In total, the soundtrack boasts over 100 songs. It brings together an eclectic mix of international talent. British artist Self Esteem contributes with her song “Big Man.” The song features South African singer Moonchild Sanelly, while Gambian-British rapper Pa Salieu’s track “Allergy” adds another layer of diversity.

British-Nigerian jazz collective Ezra Collective also makes an appearance with their vibrant track “God Gave Me Feet for Dancing.” The song features the soulful vocals of Yazmin Lacey.

This diverse and culturally rich soundtrack underscores EA Sports’ commitment to blending football and music. Also, it highlights the growing impact of African artists on the global stage.

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SPORTS

Tems Throws Ceremonial First Pitch At White Sox Game

Published

2 days ago

September 17, 2024

Reporter

Tems Throws Ceremonial First Pitch At White Sox Game | fab.ng

Afrobeats sensation Tems made a memorable appearance at Guaranteed Rate Field yesterday, adding a touch of star power to the Chicago White Sox game. Tems stepped onto the field donning a pristine White Sox jersey, ready to participate in one of baseball’s time-honoured traditions.

With all eyes on her, Tems took centre stage to throw the ceremonial first pitch, marking the beginning of an exciting match-up. The game that followed proved to be a nail-biter, with the White Sox ultimately emerging victorious. They clinched a hard-fought 4-3 win against the Oakland Athletics, breaking a losing streak that had plagued the team for nearly three months.

Tems’ presence seemed to bring a spark of good fortune to the home team, as they celebrated their long-awaited return to the win column.

Beyond Tems first pitch at the White Sox game…

Tems’ appearance at the baseball game is just one highlight in her current whirlwind of activity. The Nigerian-born artist is in the midst of her ambitious “Born In The Wild” tour, which kicked off with a bang in London on June 12. This global trek follows hot on the heels of her highly anticipated debut album release.

Since the tour’s inception, Tems has been engaging audiences across continents. Her powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence have graced venues in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Norway. The European leg of her tour is a testament to her growing international appeal. What’s more, fans from diverse backgrounds come together to experience her music live.

Crossing the Atlantic, Tems has continued to make waves in North America. She’s delivered stunning performances in numerous cities across the United States and Canada. Further, this solidifies her status as a global music icon. Each stop on her tour has been met with enthusiastic crowds.

Looking ahead, Tems shows no signs of slowing down. Her ambitious tour schedule will culminate in Australia on November 15. This promises fans an unforgettable finale to this chapter of her career. Tems’ appearance at the White Sox game is a perfect example of her ability to seamlessly blend into various settings. Indeed, she could do this while maintaining her unique identity as an artist.

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SPORTS

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Date, Time & Where To Watch Nigeria Vs Germany Match

Published

2 weeks ago

September 4, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: Nigeria vs Germany | fab.ng

Nigeria’s Falconets have secured a crucial win in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign, defeating Korea Republic 1-0 in their group opener. The match played in Bogota, saw a thrilling late goal from Flourish Sabastine that sealed the victory for the Nigerian team.

This victory has placed the Falconets in a strong position to advance to the Round of 16. As they continue their journey in the tournament, all eyes are now on their upcoming match against tournament favourites Germany. Stay tuned to find out when this exciting clash will take place.

Falconets Edge Out Korea Republic

In a fiercely contested match between two familiar rivals, Nigeria’s Falconets emerged victorious over Korea Republic. Despite limited scoring opportunities, the Nigerian team managed to capitalize on their chances, especially in the second half.

The Koreans, who had suffered a narrow defeat to Nigeria in the previous U-20 Women’s World Cup, nearly took an early lead in the 28th minute. However, a crucial save by Shukurat Oladipo prevented the goal. Nigerian goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare also faced a challenge, failing to save a pull-out attempt from the Koreans.

In the second half, both Amina Bello and Sabastine had their shots blocked by the Korean defence. The decisive moment came when substitute Sabastine managed to find the back of the net with a well-placed shot.

The Falconets will now face a tough test against the three-time champion German team in their next match. Experts expect the Germans to be strong favourites in the upcoming encounter, as they have already defeated Venezuela.

Nigeria vs Germany: Time and where to watch Falconets 2nd FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup game - Pulse Sports Nigeria

Germany Dominates Venezuela in World Cup Opener

Germany made a powerful statement in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign, crushing Venezuela 5-2. The decisive victory puts them in a strong position to secure their fourth title.

The officials awarded Zdebel the Player of the Match title over Bender. Zdebel provided a crucial assist during the game. Bender scored two goals, delivering an impressive performance. However, the judges considered Zdebel’s impact on the game more significant than Bender’s goal-scoring feat.

Meanwhile, Falconets Head Coach Chris Danjuma emphasized that his team’s focus is on their own performance, rather than dwelling on the strength of their upcoming opponent, Germany. He stressed the importance of getting their tactics right against the Korean Republic in their opening match.

Analysts have well-documented Germany’s dominance in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. They have only suffered two losses in their last 20 group matches, sending a clear warning to their other group opponents.

Falconets’ Journey to FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

The Falconets secured their place in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup by successfully navigating their qualifying campaign. They defeated both Tanzania and Burundi on aggregate, securing one of Africa’s coveted tickets to the championship.

Despite their dominance in qualifying, the Falconets faced a setback at the African Games. They settled for a silver medal after failing to defend their gold. However, they displayed promising form in their first friendly against Australia, before facing a loss against Mexico.

Nigeria’s History at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

The Falconets made their debut in the competition in 2002 when it was known as the U19 Championship. Since then, they have consistently participated in the tournament, representing Nigeria on the global stage.

The Falconets have competed in various countries, including Thailand, Russia, Chile, Germany, Japan, Canada, Papua New Guinea, France, and Costa Rica. This year, the competition features 24 teams for the first time, making it more competitive than ever.

The Falconets understand the challenges ahead and know that they must start strong in Bogota to have a realistic chance of advancing to the Round of 16.

Falconets’ Group Stage Opponents

The Falconets have been placed in a challenging group for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. They will face Korea Republic, Germany, and Venezuela in their group-stage matches.

Nigeria’s second group game will be against Germany, taking place three days after their opening match against Korea Republic. The match will be held at the 10,000-seat Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota.

The Falconets will conclude their group stage campaign against Venezuela on September 7th. This match will be played at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali.

Nigeria vs Germany

Date and Time: The Falconets of Nigeria will face Germany in a highly anticipated match. The teams will play on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024. The 10,000-seat Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota will host the game.

Where to Watch: Football enthusiasts can catch the live action on SuperSport and FIFA+. The match is scheduled to kick off at 11:00 PM Nigerian time.

For more sports updates, check here.