Rivers Hoopers captain Victor Anthony Koko has warned that past achievements will count for little as the KingsMen prepare for the decisive Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Premier League Final Eight, insisting the club’s immediate objective is to secure a place in the Final Four.
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The six-time Nigerian champions head into the business end of the season among the favourites for the title, but Koko says the players have deliberately put previous performances behind them to focus entirely on the challenges ahead.
Rivers Hoopers have established themselves as one of Nigeria’s leading basketball clubs in recent years, enjoying success domestically and representing the country with distinction in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
“Our focus right now is qualifying for the Final Four. We’ve left the conference phase behind us, and everything is now about getting the job done in the Final Eight,” Koko said.
The experienced forward explained that the technical crew has spent time reviewing the team’s performances from the conference stage, identifying areas that require improvement before the knockout rounds.
According to Koko, attention to detail and consistency will be crucial as the level of competition increases.
“We’ve worked on correcting our mistakes because every game is important at this stage. Being former champions doesn’t guarantee anything, we have to earn every victory on the court,” he added.
Rivers Hoopers are widely regarded as one of the strongest teams in Nigerian basketball, with a squad featuring several experienced players capable of competing for another league title.
The NBBF Premier League Final Eight will determine this season’s national champions, with Rivers Hoopers aiming to progress beyond the quarter-final stage as they continue their pursuit of another domestic crown.
