Odaudu remains upbeat despite Hoopers’ tough BAL group

A group comprising US Monastir of Tunisia, APR of Rwanda and Senegal’s AS Douanes is expected to be as tough as any pairings can be, but Rivers Hoopers Head Coach, Ogoh Odaudu, has said that his team would be ready for the challenges when the Basketball Africa League (BAL) begins.

At the 2024 Basketball Africa League draw on Thursday, last week, Rivers Hoopers were handed what many followers of the league describe as a tough call in the Sahara Conference.

The top two teams from each of the three conferences, the other two being the Kalahari and Nile conferences, will advance to the BAL playoffs scheduled to hold in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 24 to June 1.

There will also be a slot for two best third-placed teams from across the three conferences.

Looking ahead to the battles in his group, Odaodu said: “The group is a very tough one. Former champions US Monastir, APR who defeated the Rwandan team (REG), participants at the BAL last year, are very tough teams. Of course, last year’s finalist, AS Douanes, is in that group, so we have been placed in the group of death.”

Although the other two conferences will hold in March and April, the Nigeria Premier League champions won’t play until May 4.

Odaudu said: “We have enough time to prepare and be there. We will overcome once the jump ball comes.”

Since the inaugural edition in 2021, Rivers Hoopers and Kwara Falcons are the only Nigerian teams to have played in the BAL, and neither have gone past the group stage.

The former Nigeria international wants his team to be the country’s first team to make it to the playoffs of the BAL.

“First and foremost, getting out of the group is our target for this year’s BAL. We are tired of just going to participate and coming back home after the first round.

“For us this season, we want to ensure we get to Kigali and be in the playoffs. Whatever happens from there on is a bonus.”