NAN-S-7
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Peter Ahmedu, the Head Coach, First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos, on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with his team’s victory over GS Petroliers of Algeria in their Africa Club Championship match in Maputo.
First Bank earned valuable winning points when they came from behind to snatch their victory through Upe Atosu’s three-point sinker to put the scores at 66-64, with nine seconds to go.
Atosu, who led the Nigerian champions with a team-high of 20 points, was not only made the game-changer, but she also forced GS Petroliers’ to make several mistakes that ensured First Bank’s victory.
With the first win secured, First Bank will now play United states International University (USIU) of Kenya in their second group game on Wednesday.
An elated Ahmedu, wrote on his facebook page that he was delighted to see his team come from behind to beat the Algerian team, in a nail biting match.
“It was a very tough match; I give kudos to my team for rising to the challenge and doing it at the right time.
“We look forward to the next game with much confidence and believe we are here to make an impact in the competition,’’ Ahmedu said.
Meanwhile, there are confirmed reports that Nigeria’s U.S based player, Olayinka Sanni, has joined the First Bank team to beef up the onslaught, as they challenge for the championship trophy.
Sanni featured for Nigeria at the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nantes, France.
According to Sanni, the team is well prepared and all have a great experience.
“We have talented players in the likes of Nkechi Akashili, ChiomaUdeaja and Upe Atosu.
“We just need to play together as a team and we could make a great impact,” she said.
With the win, First Bank climbed to second in Group B, behind ACCW reigning champions Primeiro D’Agosto of Angola, who defeated USIU, 98-41, in Monday’s second game. (NAN)
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(Edited by Idonije Obakhedo)