Allwell Okpi
The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Col. Sam Ahmedu (retd.), has praised Dolphins and First Bank, saying their performances at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women, which was held in Luanda, Angola, between November 27 and December 6, were not bad.
Dolphins, who are Nigerian champions, finished fifth at the African championship while First Bank, who finished as runners-up in the Nigerian league, finished fourth.
Ahmedu told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday that the performances of both teams were a reflection of Nigerian basketball.
“Their performances were not bad. They were fourth and fifth last year, they are still fourth and fifth this year. Both teams did well, even though they didn’t win any medal.
“This shows that we have not made any progress in the last one year and we have not gone backwards either. It’s a reflection of our basketball. We don’t seem to be making a headway.”
Ahmedu claimed that Angolan officials had made it difficult for the Nigerian teams to get visas resulting in the teamsarriving Luanda in batches, saying the Angolans were desperate to win the championship, having lost out in the AfroBasket for men and women.
He, however, said Nigerian teams needed to plan ahead if they wanted to win the African championship.
Ahmedu added, “The Angolan teams, Interclube and Primeiro D’Agosto, after the 2015 AfroBasket, went on a playing tour. Our greatest undoing is our penchant for not hosting. Nigeria must begin to host these events.
“This championship was hosted by Angola and Angolan clubs came first and second, leaving the crumbs for the rest. When will First Bank host? When will Dolphins host? When First Deepwater hosted, they came third. The odds were obviously against First Bank and Dolphins in Angola.”
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