PORT HARCOURT (Nigeria) – Rivers Hoopers will attempt to defend their Nigerian title against seven other teams in Port Harcourt, where the winner will qualify for the 2025 season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The 2024 Nigeria League season, organized by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBF), has entered a crucial phase with the Final-8 scheduled to take place from Thursday, November 14 to 19 at the Port Basketball Hall. Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Hoopers, who finished third in BAL Season 4, will look to return to the biggest club championship on the African continent but will face teams like Gboko City Chiefs of Makurdi, former champions Kano Pillars , Lagos Hoops and Read, Gombe Bulls, Nile University, Police Baton and former champions Kwara Falcons, who are on a roll.
The eight teams were divided into two groups of four teams:
The Group A is made up of Gboko City Chiefs, Hoops and Read, Kano Pillars and Police Baton.
The Group B comprend Rivers Hoopers, Nile University, Kwara Falcons et Gombe Bulls.
The teams are expected in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, November 13 and matches will begin on Thursday, November 14 with Savannah Conference leaders Gboko City Chiefs taking on Police Baton in the opening match of the Final 8.
Other fixtures are scheduled for the first day: Nile University will face former champions Kwara Falcons in the second match of the day.
The Hoops and Read of former Nigeria men’s national team captain, Olumide Oyedeji, will face another former champion, Kano Pillars, while the final match of the first day will be against the host and defending champion, Rivers Hoopers , at Gombe Bulls.
Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu says his team remains focused on returning to the BAL, but says they are not underestimating any of the teams that qualified for the playoffs.
He admits his team is under some pressure as defending champions and playing at home.
“I have to admit that we will play under pressure, given that we are the defending champions and we are playing at home, but we will remain focused on the task ahead of us, while giving maximum consideration to the other teams present in the Final 8. We will approach each match as if it were the last,” declared coach Odaudu.
FIBA
