Giannis Antetokounmpo signed the most lucrative contract in NBA history in 2021, with a five-year deal worth $228.2m (£170.1m).

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points as defending NBA champions the Milwaukee Bucks ended their two-game losing run to beat the Indiana Pacers 128-119.

Giannis claimed 14 rebounds and made 17 of his 21 attempts, while Khris Middleton added 19 points.

It is the first time the Greek has scored 50 points since the Bucks won their first title in 50 years in July.

“It’s a nice feeling to have 50, and you will always remember it,” he said.

Jrue Holiday also added 14 points and eight assists, while Buddy Hield top scored for Indiana with 36 points.

Elsewhere, Jaylen Brown had 29 points and eight rebounds as the Boston Celtics cruised past the Philadelphia 76ers 135-87 to earn their ninth consecutive victory.

Brown was ably supported by Jayson Tatum, who added 28 points and 12 rebounds.

Devin Booker scored 26 points and Chris Paul contributed 17 points and 14 assists as the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 103-96.

Karl-Anthony Towns made 39 points and 15 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves recovered from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Charlotte Hornets 126-120 in overtime.

The Dallas Mavericks also bounced back from 13 points down to beat the Miami Heat 107-99, with Luka Doncic leading the way with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Tyus Jones scored 27 points as the Memphis Grizzlies made it six wins in a row with a 121-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Trae Young scored 41 points, the fifth time he has surpassed 40 points this season, as the Atlanta Hawks edged out the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-116.

Players and coaches of Nigeria’s senior men team, Super Eagles, have assured of their determination to earn a spot at the 22^nd FIFA World Cup finals, holding in Qatar 14^th November – 18^th December this year.

At a virtual meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare and chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday night, Coaches Augustine Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amuneke and the playing body said they are aware of the huge challenge that Ghana’s Black Stars will present in next month’s two-legged play-off, but are determined to emerge victorious.

Captain Ahmed Musa said: “The FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament in the world, and every player wants to feature there. A good number of the players in the team now have not been there, and the few of us that have been there want to experience it again. We just want the NFF to help us get enough fans into the Abuja Stadium for the second leg. We will go to Ghana and dig our feet and ensure we get a result. We must admit that Ghana also want to qualify and they have a strong team. The return leg will be crucial and we are ready for the battle, but we want our fans to be in there cheering us on.”

Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen had this to say: “It is always an honour to serve the country. I was impressed with the high level of discipline and commitment of the players at the AFCON in Cameroon, and I feel privileged to lead the group. We have two tough games against Ghana next month but I am not too worried because we have a squad that knows it is a mountain that we have to climb. We have a good headache to deal with – which is a surplus of good players. I want to thank the Government and the NFF for all the support during the AFCON; we will need even greater support for the World Cup play-off.”

Chief Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said he was privileged to work with the team. “I have worked with some of the players in the U17 and U20 teams, and some others I have known for many years. We have the team to earn the World Cup ticket and we will put our best foot forward for each game.”

Deputy Captain William Ekong added that the players are aware of the big task ahead and only wants the Government to ensure that the pitch of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja is in ‘pristine condition’ for the return leg encounter against the Black Stars. “We loved the pitch of the stadium in Garoua and it helped us play some good football. We would be delighted if the Abuja Stadium is in similar condition for the second leg.”

In his opening remark, Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare extolled the players for their efforts at the AFCON, and expressed belief that lessons have been learnt from the defeat to Tunisia in the Round of 16: “I know you are still unhappy about the loss to Tunisia, but I want you to visit the anger of the defeat by Tunisia on Ghana. We all know about the history of the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana in football, and this is one fixture that we must not lose.

“We know that dogged spirit is there in you, and we also want you to see yourself as one big family. We have confidence in you that you can do it and will give you all the support. Coaches Eguavoen and Amuneke have smooth access to the NFF President and he will always be ready to provide what you need. As for the pitch of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, we have experts working there all the time and I assure you it will be in perfect condition for the match.”

President of NFF and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick charged the players to face the two-leg fixture with even greater determination and play with grit, guts, zest and elan. “These are two very crucial matches in which you have to give more than your best. Winning the World Cup ticket is non-negotiable.”

Also at the meeting was General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

Among the players present were Musa, Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Abdullahi Shehu, Sadiq Umar, Jamilu Collins, Frank Onyeka, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Kelechi Nwakali, Wilfred Ndidi, Zaidu Sanusi, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Oghenekaro Etebo, Daniel Akpeyi, Peter Olayinka, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Samuel Kalu, Henry Onyekuru.

Nigeria, who have featured in six of the past seven FIFA World Cup finals, slug it out with the Black Stars in Cape Coast on Thursday, 24^th March before both teams tango again at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 27^th March.

MFM will tackle Katsina United in the Nigeria Professional Football League in Lagos on match-day 13 in a battle for survival.

Both sides have been struggling, with the Olukoya Boys, who occupy bottom place, without a win in their last six games in the league, while the 17th place Changi Boys have witnessed a turnaround in their recent form, winning two of their last three games.

While MFM have won just two out of 12 matches this season, Katsina on their part have won four games but have suffered seven defeats.

MFM goalkeeper Jerry Isaac is hopeful of a reversal of fortunes, starting with the clash against Katsina. “It’s still very possible to ensure that we stay in the topflight and I can tell you now that we are stronger mentally and everything has changed, compared to what it was weeks back,” Isaac,

“Our target against Katsina United is to get the three points and there is no doubt about that, I may sound overconfident but that’s the truth. We will win the game with plenty of goals.

“We want to work together as a family so that we can get what we want because we are not happy with our current position and we are confident that things will turn around for good very soon.”

The Liverpool legend wants to improve his squad in the summer, and he has his eyes set on Nigeria’s most valuable player 

Aston Villar are considering making a move for Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi when the transfer window opens in the summer.

The Villans consider Ndidi as a perfect alternative to Mali’s midfielder Yves Bissouma.

Villa were linked with a move for Bissouma in the winter window, but they could not agree a deal with Brighton Hove Albion.

And with that development, Villa’s manager Steven Gerrard has identified Ndidi as an alternative to the Mali international.

Ndidi is currently Nigeria’s joint most valuable player with a market value of £50m (₦28.1b) as per transfer market.

Villans are ready to test Leicester’s resolve by paying the amount of £50m (₦28.1b) for the Nigerian international at the end of the season.

However, it may still not be enough for Leicester to allow one of their best players to leave. Ndidi has been one of the Foxes key players since he arrived in January 2017 and one of Brendan Rodgers trusted stalwarts.

There are few midfielders better than Ndidi in breaking up the opposition’s attacking flow. Since the start of last season, only Bissouma has had more tackles and interceptions than Ndidi.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss has reiterated the importance of next month’s playoffs against the Black Stars of Ghana

NFF president Amaju Pinnick has said that World Cup qualification is a must for Nigeria. The Super Eagles meet West African rivals Ghana in a two-legged World Cup playoffs next month for a chance to play in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Pinnick knows the implication of missing out on the biggest sporting event in the world and has said it is important the three-time African champions qualify for the showpiece in November.

The NFF president said this in a series of tweets after meeting some Super Eagles players, including Ademola Lookman and Emmanuel Dennis.

The meeting, which also had the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare in attendance via zoom, also served as a clear the air talk after Nigeria’s disappointing second-round exit in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Pinnick’s statement read: In furtherance to my tweets regarding our plans to ensure we qualify for this year’s @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar, we’ve held a series of meetings in London with our Super Eagles players. It was me, the team secretary, the coach & technical adviser of the team.

The Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, led by the Honourable Minister, @SundayDareSD also had a zoom meeting with over 30 players of the Super Eagles squad. Aside the chance to introduce the new members of the coaching crew to the team, it was also a chance to have “clear the air” talks.

And I’m so proud of the commitment and zeal I’m seeing and getting from the team. From players like Etebo, Kelechi, Troost & new lad, Lookman, the message was & is clear; we will play at the World Cup and give a good account of ourselves.

We are not going to Qatar to make up the numbers. We are going to give it our best shot. I’d like to, again, thank the Honourable Minister, @SundayDareSD. It might sound like a broken record at this point, but his support is truly massive.

From ensuring we get the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, to joining in the zoom call with over 30 members of the National Team, his energy is truly infectious.

Again. Make no mistake. World Cup qualification is non-negotiable. We are putting all of our efforts on getting the ticket.

Your prayers and support are invaluable in this regard. God willing, we will achieve our goals because we will not relent. God bless Nigeria & God bless us all. Goodnight.

The Super Eagles will take on the Black Stars in Accra on March 23 in the first leg before hosting their West African rivals for the second leg at the MKO Abiola Stadium four days later.

The winner across the two legs will join four other African teams as the continent’s representatives in Qatar 2022 World Cup.