Sports
Hoopers Return To Conference Summit With Impressive Win
Rivers Hoopers leapfrogged Kwara Falcons back to the top of the Atlantic Conference log after a dominant 87-72 win over a difficult Hoops & Read side in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Benjamin Ikechukwu had 18 points, Emmanuel Balogun scored 15 points and 3 rebounds while Somtochukwu Managor added 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in a game the Hoopers had answers to every question posed by the opposition.
The Kingsmen had dropped to second spot in the conference after a loss to Falcons late June but Saturday’s victory, coupled with Kwara Falcons’ loss at Nigeria Customs returned the Ogoh Odaudu men to their rightful position.
Ikechukwu continued from where he left off in the last game proving unstable recording 3 of 4 of his shots from the arc but could not replicate same number of points or more against NAF Rockets on Thursday.
It took the former Lagos Warriors guard the second quarter to get into his rhythm. Although, Hoopers had the spark of Balogun with his dribbling skills, recording 3 of his 6 shots from the 3 point line and making 100 per cent of his free throws in the game. He was the only player with double figures at the end of the second quarter (10).
Hoops & Read were led by Kemionbo Victor with a game high 20 points and 3 steals, Oyebanji Mustapha recorded 12 points while Ogunsemore Babajide had 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Most notably with 6 seconds left on the clock, Chinedu Chimbuo failed to capitalise on a turned over ball on centre court by Anyebe Ujoh missing the layup before the buzzer going to the half time break.
Despite the composed display, Hoopers still could not hold their own in the third quarter like they have usually done this season losing it 21-25 but Ikechukwu’s 3-0 run late in the third, ensured the Port Harcourt side got into the fourth quarter domineering and eventually sealed the win limiting the visitors to just 17 points in the final quarter.
Hoops & Read coach, Charles Osho admitted that his team had a terrible game against Hoopers.
“It was a nice game for Hoopers we had a bad day, terribly bad day,” he stressed.
“There was no organised play, we struggled from the beginning, we were not composed and it took me a while for me to decide on what to do. As you can see we came with less than 12 players for this road trip. It was a good game but we had a bad day,” Osho emphasised.
On his part, Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu thinks his side has improved overtime on their third quarter.
“We came out with a resolution, if we don’t score, they won’t score. We played better defence and we were executing a lot more. You look at the beginning of the season and look at the way we have played now, you can tell that there is a considerable improvement in our third quarter performance,” said Odaudu.
”We are still a work in progress, hopefully before we get to the play offs, we would have rectified anything that needs to be rectified, “Odaudu submitted
Rivers Hoopers will be up against Delta Force on Thursday and Nigeria Customs on Saturday this week in Port Harcourt.
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”
Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.
Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.
Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.
Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.
The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.
“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.
The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.
“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.
At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.
The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.
The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.
In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’
“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.
“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”
They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.
They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.
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