First Bank, Dolphins qualify for African Women Basketball Champions Cup

First Bank Basketball Club and Dolphins, both of Lagos, yesterday qualified for the African Women Championship scheduled for Angola from November 27 to December 6.

To qualify for Africa’s biggest women club championship, First Bank beat Energie of Cotonou, Benin Republic, by 107 to 24 points in a reverse fixture at the Palais des Sports, Cotonou.

With two games left in the Women Zone Three elimination schedule, First Bank are already home and dry alongside Dolphins in the zonal qualifier.

The Elephant Girls, who defeated the Beniniose side in their first meeting last Thursday, now boost a 3-1 record with an eye on the second match-up against archrival, Dolphins, tomorrow.

First Bank was led in scoring by Nkechi Akashili with a qualification high of 33 points.

According to team tactician Peter Ahmedu, “Our goal is to pick one of the two available tickets for the final round in Angola but winning the zonal championship will be a morale booster for the team going to Angola.

“The players and technical crew have realised some mistakes we made in the 71-83 points loss to Dolphins on Saturday and its good we are meeting again on Tuesday.
“They should not rejoice yet as Tuesday game will prove the better side in the zone is. But our utmost goal is to attempt winning the continental title for Nigeria once again and I know we can achieve it.

“I have pleaded with the players to put behind them the loss to Dolphins and focus more on the remaining two games against Dolphins and ASPAC on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively and the real championship in Angola.’ ’