2017 Zenith Bank women’s Basketball League: First Bank confidence to defend title – Coach
NAN-S-7
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, March 16, 2017 (NAN) Peter Ahmedu, the Head Coach, First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos, on Thursday expressed confidence in the team’s ability to defend the title in the 2017 Zenith Bank women’s Basketball League.
Ahmedu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the team’s training at the National stadium, Lagos, that they were working hard to impress their fans and sponsors.
“We are getting set for the next season which we expect to dunk off in April, and we are looking good day by day for the competition to kick off.
“No doubt, all other teams are working for the same opportunity to win the championship title, but at First Bank, we remain focused not to lose at the end.
“On the team’s capability, we want to reassure our fans out there to continue to believe in us as we have promised, we will deliver at the end of the 2017 season,’’ Ahmedu said.
According to the coach, the nucleus of players such as Upe Atosu, Chioma Udeaja, five times competition’s Most Valuable Player, Nkechi Akashili and Magdalene Ukato, are still very much around.
“These players over the years have formed the heart of the club that has worked together to win laurels and had several call-ups at the national levels.
“Although six players have moved on, but we are still confident about the coming season due to the quality of youth and vibrant new players we are recruiting.
“The players are going to be given the chance to show what they can do and hopefully work their way into the club’s scheme of things.
“We believe in young aspiring talents, that is why we have turned the way of looking out for new talents that abound and can fit our philosophy of ball play,’’ he said.
Ahmedu, earned his first ever championship title coaching a female side, following successes at the men’s league with Mark Mentors of Abuja and Dodan Warriors of Lagos.
He said “I am enjoying the challenge. It is a tasking challenge that requires you to be very patient and understanding when dealing with female players.
“But the good thing is, when I arrived First Bank, I saw a good philosophy of play and proper organisation structure that meets my expectations.
“The players are very professional about their approach to the game and to the team, it was very easy to work with them,’’ he said.
Ahmedu said that the target this year remained the league championship, the Afro-basketball West Africa Zone championship title and the ultimate price in club competitions, which is Africa Champions League title.
“We have the capacity to go all the way and the determination to achieve it, so we have to take one competition at a time,’’ the coach said. (NAN)
BAO/ENN/MEMO
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Mike Mbonye)