Two Lagos-based female basketball clubs – First Bank Elephant Girls and Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) will feature in a West African qualification competition next month, following an intervention by renowned administrator Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retired).
Sports247 gathered that Ahmedu, who was earlier this week formally recognised by the international body as the most senior official on the board of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), gained a shift in date and adjustment of registration formalities for both teams to feature.
Consequently, First Bank and MFM will at the start of November join representatives of Benin Republic and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as two from the host country, Liberia, at the African Women’s Basketball League (AWBL) Zone 3 qualifiers.
Only two tickets will be on offer during the competition for FIBA Africa Zone 3, of which Ahmedu happens to be the president, and huge expectations are already soaring towards the contest from November 2nd to 9th at Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Gymnasium in Paynesville, Monrovia.
A statement from FIBA Africa Zone 3 disclosed, “The participating teams face a demanding week in which every result could prove decisive in their quest to reach the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for December 11-19.
“Liberia will have two representatives in the contest, with Flames Basketball Club, the domestic league runners-up, joined by reigning national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club. Both sides will be eager to make home advantage count against a competitive field.
“Côte d’Ivoire’s Friends of Basketball Association (FBA), the defending FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions, will arrive with a title to defend, while Benin Republic’s Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou brings its experience from previous appearances in the competition.
“Nigeria’s Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club complete the six-team lineup, setting up another chapter in one of the country’s notable domestic rivalries.
“MFM head to Liberia after edging First Bank 66-64 in the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League final at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium. In Monrovia, both clubs (will) seek to translate their domestic form into continental success and passage to Cairo.
“The Nigerian representatives were able to enter the qualifiers after FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA) extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule.
“The changes followed an intervention by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd), enabling both clubs to participate after the late conclusion of their domestic league campaign.”
Sports247 gathered further that FIBA Africa Zone 3 secretary and veteran journalist, Joe Apu expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness to stage flawless qualifiers, based on years of experience from hosting several international events in recent years.
With six clubs set to chase only two tickets and the opportunity to compete for the AWBL title in Egypt, the Monrovia qualifiers promise to bring up a compelling test of depth, consistency and ambition for all the contestants.
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