Teams Ready For 2nd Phase Of Female

As the resumption of the second phase of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League draws close, some coaches of the clubs have vowed to improve their position on the table.

The league is now scheduled to dunk-off on Wednesday in Akure.

Some of the coaches said in Lagos that they had been training hard since the break with the aim of doing better in the second phase.

Coach Aderemi Adewunmi of First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos told newsmen that his players had started training in Lagos immediately after the first phase of the league held in Kano.

“We have not for once rested since we returned to Lagos because we need to redeem our image and regain the confidence of our fans,” he added.

The Elephant girls’, as they are popularly known, were dethroned at the end of the 2010 season by First Deepwater Basketball Club of Lagos, after winning the title for five consecutive years.

“We have learnt our lessons and have really worked on our lapses and are therefore confident of regaining the title this year,” Adewunmi said.

Andrew Isokhpehi, Head Coach of Sunshine Angels of Akure, said that his team aimed to improve on their 2009/2010 record to ensure they make the top three at the end of the season.

Isokhpehi, however, lamented the postponement of the resumption date of the league originally scheduled to hold from July 9 to July 20 in Akure.

“Though the postponement of the second phase is not too good, it will help us put finishing touches to our preparation,’’ the coach said.

Lateef Erinfolami, the First Deepwater coach, said that the second phase of the league would be tough but they were prepared for the challenge.

He said that the team had been training since the break after the first phase in order to retain their title this season. “This season is going to be tough as players in all the clubs will be fighting for supremacy in the second phase,” Erinfolami said.

He said the team would not leave anything to chance as there may be upsets again this year. Nosa Uyigue, coordinator of Delta Force of Asaba, expressed his team’s readiness for the foremost female league.

According to him, the team’s aim this season is to be among the best three teams.

“I am optimistic of doing better this season, judging from the level of our training,” Uyigue added.