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How UNC Women’s Basketball Is Preparing for Ranked Showdown Amidst Resurgence

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How UNC Women’s Basketball Is Preparing for Ranked Showdown Amidst Resurgence

How UNC Women’s Basketball Is Preparing for Ranked Showdown Amidst Resurgence

Interestingly, the UNC women’s basketball head coach, Courtney Banghart is  wasting no time expressing her excitement ahead of No. 19 Carolina’s game at No. 5 NC State Thursday night.

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“It’s just a great week for college basketball,” Banghart said at the beginning of Tuesday’s media availability session. “It didn’t take me long to be at Carolina to know how important this game is.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How UNC Women’s Basketball Is Preparing for Ranked Showdown Amidst Resurgence

 

Banghart, now in her third year with the Tar Heels, is 2-2 against NC State in the past two seasons, with each win coming in Carmichael Arena over a top 10 Wolfpack team. Carolina’s last win against NC State in Raleigh came in 2019, when UNC toppled a then-undefeated Wolfpack side ranked No. 7.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The state will host four ranked teams Thursday night, as No. 17 Duke hosts No. 16 Georgia Tech in Durham. Six ACC teams are currently ranked in the AP Top 25, which is tied for the most of any conference in the nation. Half of those teams are on Tobacco Road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“If this doesn’t excite the state of North Carolina, that’s really sad,” Banghart said. “I challenge any other region… to be able to see such good basketball, talented players from all over the country who’ve chosen to play here in the Triangle. To be a part of that, I’ve got great pride in that for this program.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolina’s appearance in the Top 25 polls this season comes five years after their last ranking, and Thursday night will be UNC’s first ranked-against-ranked game since the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Banghart expressed some surprise at the rapid rate in which her team has improved in three seasons, but also said butting into the national conversation was one of the reasons she signed on with the program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I took this job because I thought Carolina had to be good at women’s basketball to grow our sport,” she said. “And I’ve devoted my life to this sport. And a school like Carolina being good helps the game.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still, Banghart didn’t mince words about the upcoming matchup. The Wolfpack are by far the most difficult opponent Carolina has faced this season, and the first of five ranked matchups in seven games for the Tar Heels. UNC will also take the court in Reynolds Coliseum in front of a sold-out crowd, making a challenging game even more so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This is a unique environment to play in regardless,” Banghart said. “But matchup-wise, [NC State] have got multiple pros that are ready to kind of take that step very soon in their careers. And our guys are still getting better and better, and we’ll grow to that. If it was a 1 v 1 game… I don’t know, because we don’t play 1 v 1, but they’ve got a lot of good players that we’ve got a lot of respect for.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolina has won the first game of the season series against the Wolfpack in each of the last three years. NC State lost just 13 games during those three campaigns, but three of them came at the hands of the Tar Heels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We’ve got a very good feel for what they do, and how they want to play when they’re at their best,” Banghart said. “As they do for us. There’s a lot of familiarity. That’s what makes rivalry games so fun, is there’s such a familiarity.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The game will tip off at 8 p.m. Thursday night, and will be broadcast on ACC Network. For those who would like to follow along on the radio, 97.9 The Hill’s coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. with Matt Krause on the call.

 

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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48 Cultists Surrender Firearms, Renounce Membership in Ogun

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48 Cultists Surrender Firearms, Renounce Membership in Ogun

 

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In a bid to quell the alarming surge of violence in Ogun State, particularly in Sagamu, forty-eight youths have taken the bold step of renouncing their membership in cult groups.

This significant development comes alongside the surrender of firearms by those who possessed them illegally, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s efforts to combat crime and restore peace.

The arms submitted includes onepump action, four double barrels, seven single barrels, two english pistol, four locally made pistol and thirty-five cartridges

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Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Abiodun Alamutu, affirmed the progress, stating, “Aside from those licensed to bear firearms, no other person is permitted to possess them. Anyone found in possession of firearms after this will be treated as a criminal.”

He emphasized the importance of ongoing profiling and the forthcoming stage of the program, which will involve the public parading of those who have renounced their involvement in cult activities.

“After adequately profile them, they’ll be paraded. What we will encourage members of the community so that they don’t treat them as outcast because we know from experience that some of them found themselves in this fold , it was after they have been entrapped in it, they now understand what cultism is and it’s never easy to opt out because of fear of attack. Now that they’re bold enough to surrender what we should do is to reintegrate them as legitimate and law abiding members of the community .”

Acknowledging the complexities surrounding cultism, the Akarigbo of Remo Land Oba Babatunde Ajayi emphasized the need for community engagement and support in facilitating the reintegration of former cult members.

 

 

 

He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the community, law enforcement, and armed forces in addressing the security challenges and expressed optimism in the willingness of surrendered individuals to contribute positively to society.

Special Adviser to the Ogun State Government on Security Matters, Olusola Zubair, commended the collective endeavour that led to the surrender of arms, attributing it to the perseverance and resilience of all stakeholders involved.

He underscored the potential for replicating such initiatives in other areas grappling with similar issues, emphasizing the paramount importance of peace for sustainable development.

“We know that development can only strive where there’s an atmosphere of peace and that’s what we’re clamouring for here. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all other sectors of this state that what we are doing in sagamu today, is doable in other places also . I want to thank the Governor of Ogun State for giving us that support .

“I want to say this is not all the arms that they have been using but just as the Akarigbo said , it’s a continuous process , we are still in that process of recovering these firearms and am sure that most of them will know now that crime doesn’t pay so it is better to live in peace . All of us should live in unity and that’s what will bring development to our state.”

The Director of Department State Services (DSS) Folashade Adekayajo represented by Deputy Director of Operations and Intelligence, Sikiru Kolawole, echoed the call for individuals involved in cult activities to embrace peace and renounce violence.

He emphasized the crucial role of community members in providing information to aid law enforcement efforts in curbing criminal activities.

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Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World’s Best Strikers

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Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World’s Best Strikers

 

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles strikers Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface have been ranked above Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski in the world’s latest top 10 best strikers. Norwegian and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland leads the list, followed by England skipper Harry Kane. The third slot went to Kylian Mbappe. Are there other great African football players that were not ranked but deserve recognition?

 

Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World's Best Strikers

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1. Erling Halaand
2. Harry Kane
3. Kylian Mbappe
4. Victor Osimhen(NIGERIAN)
5. Lauaro Martinez
6. Heung Ming Song
7. Victor Boniface(NIGERIAN)
8. Julian Alvarez
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
10. Robert Lewandoski.

https://www.facebook.com/100064617042388/posts/pfbid02ochLUxJDXa7ixP3ENCGRHq8wmMgojHgdLV9fwZiwBfSdUkyiEehCMnuuVAaSUQ1Al/?app=fbl

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Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

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Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

 

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Ososa, Ijebu, Ogun State will once again be buzzing with football fervor as Kiraa TV, one of Nigeria’s leading entertainment firms, gears up for the 4th edition of the highly anticipated Kiraa Football Cup competition. Scheduled to kick off in April 2024, the organizers have officially released the forms for interested football clubs in Ijebu land, in and outside Ogun State in general.

 

Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

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The pulsating football action is set to unfold at the Muslim Primary School in Ososa, Ijebu, the traditional venue for the competition. With the success of the 2023 edition, which saw Kiraa FC, owned by Franklin Oluwasegun, clinched the victory among the 16 participating football clubs, with Olasunkanmi Ibrahim winning highest goal scorer award.

 

 

 

The upcoming edition promises even more excitement and fierce competition, as NPFL Referee, Okunuga Muyiwa will be officiating.

 

 

 

Football enthusiasts and clubs across Nigeria, particularly in Ogun State, are invited to participate in this unique competition, which has gained a reputation for its thrilling matches and passionate fanbase. The organizers are reaching out to potential sponsors and advertisers, extending a warm welcome to individuals and companies eager to be part of this sporting extravaganza.

 

 

 

 

As Kiraa TV continues to foster a sense of community and entertainment through sports, the Kiraa Football Cup Competition has become a highlight on the local football calendar. With the unveiling of the 2024 edition’s forms, anticipation is building, and football clubs are gearing up for a chance to showcase their skills on the vibrant football stage in Ososa, Ijebu.

Stay tuned for updates as the Kiraa Football Cup 2024 approaches, promising a spectacle of talent, teamwork, and sporting camaraderie in the heart of Ogun State.

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