Sports
Ikechukwu Leads Hoopers Past Rockets
Rivers Hoopers thrashed NAF Rockets 87-54 last Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Ikechukwu Benjamin led two other back court players in double figures scoring a seasons high 24 points and 2 steals, Emmanuel Balogun made 14 points and 4 rebounds while Ronald Alalibo added 12 points and 2 steals.
Ikechukwu started like a house on fire from jump ball wasting no time to roll in a 3 point shot with just 1:57 seconds into the first quarter.
By the end of the first half, the former Lagos Warriors guard had reached double figures with 14 points and 2 steals. Each attempt made on his shooting was with confidence and precision and showed he was having a fun-filled day at the office. The Abia state born guard rolled in 87.5 per cent of his shooting, scoring 3 of his 7 three-point shots.
NAF Rockets were led by Emeka Ajaigbu with 15 points and 6 rebounds while John A. contributed 10 points and 4 rebounds but the visitors were made to suffer 24 turnovers while the KingsMen made 16 steals off them.
Despite dominating the game from start to finish, the Port Harcourt side had a quiet shooting in the third quarter, scoring just 17 points – their lowest of all the four quarters. There were also moments of complacency but the Rockets did little to capitalise on the occasional poor shooting by the Hoopers.
Rivers Hoopers coach, Ogoh Odaudu rated his team average despite the convincing win over Rockets.
“I am not too impressed with what happened, people will say that 33 points is much, it is not and we don’t have any business giving up 54 points. It is something we are going to work on,” said Odaudu.
“We knew we were going to beat them but you can’t play such kind of defence against a team like this. We really need to step up.
“They look at a team they know they are going to beat and then become relaxed saying to themselves that “no matter how we are going to play we will still win them” and so they don’t put in 100 per cent.
”I want them to come into a game and put in a 100 or 120 per cent. I”ll rate them a 60 per cent or a 50 per cent in this game,” Oduadu explained.
NAF Rockets coach, Shehu Ismail believes the presence of some of his absent players would have made a difference in the game.
“Despite the loss it is still okay with the way the game turned out. Some of our players could not come because some are working, others are schooling and you see the Nigerian factor coming to play here. If they were here, I think they would have made a difference, we wouldn’t have lost with this big margin,” said Ismail.
Rivers Hoopers should expect a tougher test on Saturday when they host Hoops & Read in Port Harcourt.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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