Izuchukwu Akawor

Former Nigerian D'Tigers captain and NBA star Olumide Oyedeji's basketball team, Gidi Giants and Ghanaian side Spintex Knight have joined the elite teams registered to take part in the inaugural Louis Edem invitational basketball championship in February 2023.

The tournament which was initially set to feature eight Nigerian Premier league teams has now been increased to 10 teams.

Two teams, Gidi Giants, owned by former NBA star Olumide, and Spindex will join eight others to compete in the tournament which starts from 6th-11th of February 2023 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

<h3>Nigerian champions to go head-to-head</h3>

Nigerian league champions and Basketball Africa League representatives Kwara Falcons alongside former champions Rivers Hoopers headline the star-studded list of competing teams.

Other teams set to battle at the tournament include Ebun Comets, Lagos Legends, Police Baton, Raptors, Hot Coal and Ogun Warlords.

These teams will lock horns in Lagos to determine who takes home the 2 million naira grand prize and runners-up going home with 1 million Naira.

<h3>Organiser overwhelmed by interests</h3>

Tournament organiser Louis Edem Ekpeyong disclosed he has been swamped with interest from top local &amp; international teams since the tournament was announced in December hence the need to increase the number of participating teams from eight to 10 teams.

"Since we made the announcement almost every top team in the country has signified interest. The enthusiasm to compete at my Dad's memorial tournament has been overwhelming and It's been really tough to decide."

"However, after talking to my team we decide to extend the team entries to accommodate 10 teams and give all teams a minimum of 4 games in the preliminaries and we head straight to the semi-finals."

Ekpeyong is a two-time Nigerian basketball league most valuable player and former D'Tiger star. He also played for Kada Stars, Jigawa Rocks, Yelwa Hawks Bauchi, Union Bank basketball club, and Kano Pillars.&nbsp;

He also featured for the Bahrainian club Al Ittihad and Yarmook Club in Kuwait. Ekpeyong hosting the championship in honour of his father who passed during the COVID pandemic in 2020.

This is the maiden edition of the Louis Edem Basketball Invitational.

The organisers have ensured there will be fireworks on the court by increasing the number of teams from eight to 10 with the addition of Gidi Giants &amp; Ghana's Spintex Knight.

Basketball: 8 teams to face Rivers Hoopers and Kwara Falcons in Louis Edem invitational

Former Cameroon international Modeste M'bami has passed on at the age of 40 according to the player's agent.

M'bami passed on on Saturday following a heart attack in the city of <a href="/sports/football/statistics/team?tid=290">Le Havre</a>, where he lived.

The former football star's demise was made public by his agent, Franck Belhassen, who confirmed his death via his social media account.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Mon ami ancien footballeur international camerounais, ancien joueur du <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_inside?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PSG_inside</a> de <a href="https://twitter.com/OM_Officiel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OM_Officiel</a> entre autre est parti aujourd&#39;hui, repose en paix Modeste 🤍🖤🤍🖤 <a href="https://t.co/gZqZJx24Vz">pic.twitter.com/gZqZJx24Vz</a>&mdash; Franck Belhassen (@FranckBelhasSVF) <a href="https://twitter.com/FranckBelhasSVF/status/1611801043007901698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

"My friend former Cameroonian international footballer, former player of PSG and Marseille among others left today, rest in peace Modeste," he posted on Twitter.

The late midfielder started his football career in Douala, Cameroon before he moved to France.

The Yaoundé-born footballer played in France to play for Sedan between 2000 to 2003. He would join giant PSG that summer, where he spent three years with the capital club.

He then joined Spanish side Almería for two seasons (2009-2011) and went on to play for Changchun Yatai (China), Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) and Millonarios (Colombia).

M'bami ended his career in 2017 while playing for Le Havre, where he stayed before his death from a heart attack in Normandy at the age of 40.

He was an Olympic champion in 2000 and played 37 times for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

M'bami also played for two of France's biggest teams and rivals, PSG and Marseille.

Former Cameroonian star M'bami dies of heart attack

Premier League side Brentford football club have confirmed that star striker Ivan Toney could be available to face Liverpool later today.

Toney was stretchered off as the Bees defeated West Ham United on boxing day.

The England international opened the scoring in that encounter before he was forced off due to what looked like a serious knee injury.

Toney looked in serious pain as he was taken off at West Ham.

However, it seems the forward will lead his club at home against the Reds from Merseyside when they go head-to-head this evening.

<h3>It is good news - Brentford manager</h3>

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Brentford manager, Thomas Frank gave a positive update on the talented 26-year-old.

According to Frank, Toney could face Jurgen Klopp's side later today as the injury wasn't as serious as first thought.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank is relieved Toney's injury is not as serious as it had looked.

“It’s good news with Ivan,” the manager said per the official Brentford website.

“It’s not a significant injury. He could potentially be available for tomorrow (today)."

Brentford striker Ivan Toney is also facing misconduct charges

“There’s nothing wrong with his knee. Without going too much into the details, it’s something with the muscle."

<h3>Toney is amongst the top scorers in the PL</h3>

Brentford's return to winning ways against the Hammers in their first game after the World Cup saw them snap a run of five matches without a win.

Toney scored the opener in that game and assisted Joshua Dasilva for the second in an impressive first-half display.

Toney has scored 12 goals and assisted 3 more in just 16 games this season.

The goal saw Toney take his tally to 12 goals and three assists in 16 games for the Bees in the PL this season.

Frank and his Brentford side will be happy to see their talisman take to the pitch against Liverpool as they look to consolidate on the win against West Ham with another positive outing.

“The physios explained the details and I completely forgot! I'm just glad it isn’t serious," the coach added.

Ivan Toney could face Liverpool later today. (Photo: Offside Sports Photography)

Fantasy Premier League managers are the biggest winners following the latest on the in-form striker who picked up an injury on boxing day.

Brentford give positive Toney update ahead of crucial Liverpool battle

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Pulse Ghana is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Ghanaians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.

Pulse Ghana

Izuchukwu is an economist in love with football, photography, humour and social media.

Izuchukwu Akawor

Articles written by the author

Basketball: 8 teams to face Rivers Hoopers and Kwara Falcons in Louis Edem invitational

Former Cameroonian star M'bami dies of heart attack

Brentford give positive Toney update ahead of crucial Liverpool battle