Nigerians ready, Togo assures on tourney

Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars and First Bank, who won the country’s male and female basketball leagues respectively, have declared their intention of picking the crowns at the FIBA Africa Zone Three Club Championship slated to dunk off in Lome, Togo from October 21 to 30.

Looking forward to a successful campaign in Togo, First Bank coach, Peter Ahmedu, said the Elephant Girls would fight hard to make a mark in the championship.

He revealed that part of the team’s strategy for success this year include early camping before the venue for the Zone- three championship was announced, adding that the Elephant Girls have also fine-tuned their preparations by increasing the hours of training.

Ahmedu added that the management of the club have also strengthened the team in every capacity.

He declared that regaining the domestic league title this year was a pointer that the club was prepared to reclaim their status as one of the top teams at Africa’s biggest basketball club championship.

Meanwhile, FIBA Africa Zone Three yesterday assured participating teams that the hosts, Togo, have assured that they are 80 per cent ready for the event, which will also serve as elimination for the finals in Egypt and Mozambique respectively.

Men and women teams from eight countries, comprising hosts, Togo, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Niger and Nigeria within the Zone will take part in the basketball fiesta.

FIBA Africa Zone Three in a statement said Togolese Basketball Federation (TFBB) boss, Andre Goungou, has assured that all hands are on deck to ensure a smooth organisation of the championship, adding that having gained the hosting right his board cannot afford to disappoint the participating countries.

It said Goungou gave this assurance in Lome, Togo during a meeting with the FIBA Africa Zone Three President, Col Sam Ahmedu and the administrative secretary, Joseph Apu, when the officials visited the hosts to ascertain the country’s state of readiness for the championship.