*Becomes first Nigerian team to record feat
By; MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI, Dakar
Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers are confirmed to contest in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 4 playoffs and finals in Kigali, Rwanda later in May this year.
Hoopers qualified to the BAL playoffs and finals after recording four wins from five games in the ongoing BAL Sahara Conference in Dakar, Senegal.
In a keenly contested matchday 5 game, Hoopers overcame spirited Rwandan champions, APR by 78 to 71 points with the game decided after double overtime.
The Nigerian team becomes the very first team from the most populous African nation to qualify for BAL playoffs and finals after three attempts.
The quartet of Peter Olisemeka, Will Perry, Devine Eke and John Wilkins held sway for the Hoopers recording a combine 60 points, 45 rebounds and 18 assists collectively.
Coach Ogoh Odaudu of the Rivers Hoopers have earlier warned that the team is not only participating at the BAL Sahara Conference but determined to pick one of the playoffs and finals ticket.
In the other matchday 5 game, US Monastir defeating AS Douanes 75 to 69 points further confirmed Rivers Hoopers as the overall lead of the Sahara Conference irrespective of what happens on matchday 6.
All the other three teams, APR Rwanda, AS Douanes and US Monastir have recorded two wins each while Rivers Hoopers have four wins to their credit going to the last matchday 6.
The BAL season 4 Sahara Conference matchday 6 where Rivers Hoopers will play US Monastir and AS Douanes Square it up with APR respectively will determine the second team in the Sahara Conference to qualify for the playoffs and finals.
