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News_Naija

Mati Eyes Redemption After Tough Opener In Tunis

Nigeria’s Taiwo Mati will be hoping to revive his 2025 WTT Contender Tunis campaign when he faces India’s Snehit Suravajjula today (Wednesday) in his second men’s singles group match, after starting with a 3-1 loss to Malta’s Kim Taehyun, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Ranked 562nd in the world and 10th in Nigeria, the 20-year-old was handed a tough opening test by Kim at the Salle Omnisport de Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, as the six-day tournament opened on Tuesday. With a total prize pool of $100,000 and valuable ranking points up for grabs, Mati entered hoping to cause upsets in Group 10. He started brightly, responding well after losing the first game 11-7 by taking the second 11-9. However, Kim, ranked 144th in the world, found another gear and dominated the third game 11-5 before edging the fourth 13-11 to seal the match. In total, Kim won 44 points to Mati’s 34, with both players performing closely on serve, Kim winning 24 points on his own serve to Mati’s 23. The Maltese was also far more effective on return, winning 20 points to Mati’s 11. Kim showed greater control throughout, building the biggest lead of six points and stringing together six consecutive points at his peak, while Mati managed a high of three points and a four-point run. Mati overcame only a one-point deficit during the match, compared to Kim’s three. Although disappointed, Mati remains mathematically in the race for qualification from the group. His next opponent, Suravajjula, is ranked among the top 100 in the world and will offer another stern challenge. With a win, Mati, who came into the tournament with nine world ranking points, would boost his hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds, where the prize money and ranking points become more rewarding. A place in the round of 32 guarantees $650 and four world ranking points, while a win in the round of 16 offers $825 and 35 points. Reaching the quarter-finals brings in $1,025 and 70 points. Players who go further can earn $1,275 and 140 points in the semi-finals, while the runner-up takes home $2,500 and 280 points. The winner of the tournament pockets $5,000 and 400 ranking points.

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Comedian Deeone Reacts To A Video OAP Nedu Made About VDMs Arrest

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News_Naija

Guardiola Excited As Man City Go Third After Dramatic Win Over Villa

Pep Guardiola admitted his wild celebration of Matheus Nunes’s stoppage-time winner against Aston Villa felt strange because Manchester City don’t score as many late goals as their Premier League rivals. Nunes fired City to a crucial 2-1 victory over top-five rivals Villa in the fourth minute of stoppage-time at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. Guardiola responded to Nunes’s composed finish from an acute angle by launching into a frenzied fist-pumping dance of joy including a primal roar that underlined the significance of the result. City had been seconds away from a damaging result in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top five finish. But now they control their own fate with four games left in their turbulent league season, thanks to an unusual feeling of last-gasp success. “We’re not used to it. That belongs to Liverpool especially, how many times did they score late winners under Jurgen (Klopp) and Arsenal under Mikel (Arteta) as well? I’m not used to it, so I’m really, really happy,” Guardiola said. “Football is emotion. For the fans, players, we have a lot of pressure for the club to go to the Champions League. “The players behave unbelievable. We are so pleased. We’re in the last four games and we’re a Champions League contender for qualification.” Nunes’s first league goal for City came after Aston Villa striker Marcus Rashford converted a controversial penalty to cancel out Bernardo Silva’s early opener. Guardiola was booked for ranting at the fourth official after VAR intervened to call for a penalty after Ruben Dias made contact with Jacob Ramsey. But, with time running out, City enjoyed a rare uplifting moment in a difficult campaign that will see them surrender the title they had won in the previous four seasons. – ‘The season has been bad’ – Guardiola will be happy with a top five berth in the circumstances this term. “Aston Villa is a team to the last man, one of the top teams in Europe. But we played really good. We were aggressive in our duels, the back four was unbelievable,” he said. “Football if you’re in this business to live with the disappointment. The performance was really good and we were able to do it. “The season has been bad. The reality is what makes you feel good is the Premier League.” Seventh-placed Villa are now two points adrift of the top five with four games left. It was a bitter blow after their agonising Champions League quarter-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain last week. But boss Unai Emery called on his players to bounce back in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley. “We can’t waste time, we lost in the last minute of this match, but we competed well. We were close to drawing,” he said. “Over 90 minutes Man City dominated more, but we played a good competitive match. “We can’t waste time now, we have to keep going. We want to try keep the level that we’re achieving and try to be demanding in our way so we can build us stronger in everything. “Tomorrow, rest. Thursday and Friday, positive and work hard to prepare for the game against Crystal Palace.” AFP

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BBNs Nengis Inspires Nigerian Mothers With Her Iconic Outfit To An Event