Sports
Rivers Hoopers Stay Unbeaten, Qualify For Next Stage
Nigerian Champions, Rivers Hoopers, made it three out of three at the ongoing Sahara Conference of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with a commanding 21-point blowout of former BAL Champions US Monastir, as the KingsMen ran out with an 84-63 victory on Tuesday.
After much-needed rest last Monday, Rivers Hoopers, who had been impressive by notching up consecutive victories over Senegal’s AS Douanes and Rwanda’s APR, started the game in rampant form, making back-to-back buckets, including consecutive threes by Will Perry.
Hoopers opened up a 12-point lead at 14-2 inside the first five minutes of the encounter and remained prolific in shooting to wrap up the first quarter with a 9-point advantage at 25-16.
Again, the Hoopers were quickest out of the block at the start of the second quarter, scoring points early to extend their lead, including a brilliant alley-oop finished off by BAL Elevate player David Ike from a fine Kelvin Amayo pass.
Amayo proved to be unplayable on the day, firing three straight 3s in the final four minutes of the second quarter to give the Kings Men a massive 20-point advantage with the scores 49-29 at halftime.
US Monastir, who had inflicted defeat on Rivers Hoopers when both teams met during the inaugural BAL season, came out desperately needing to reduce the deficit at the start of the third quarter and enjoyed a good scoring spell. But Hoopers were undeterred and responded with some big shots of their own, including a poster dunk by Kelvin Amayo with 2:30 left, as the scores stood at 67-51 to end the third quarter.
Amayo stayed hot, scoring more big points during the fourth to take his tally to 30 points, as the KingsMen completed a dominant performance to swat aside US Monastir by 21 points.
The win was a third straight victory for Rivers Hoopers, who remain the only unbeaten side at the Sahara Conference of the BAL season 4.
Hoopers were spurred by a massive game-high 30 points and 9 assists from Kelvin Amayo which earned him the game’s MVP award. Amayo fired home six 3-pointers, also a game-high figure.
The Hoopers trio of Will Perry, Peter Olisemeka, and Devine Eke also reached double figures in scoring, with Perry putting up 19 points along with 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Olisemeka had 13 points and 9 rebounds, and Devine Eke posted a double-double of 13 points plus a massive game-high 12 rebounds.
The Rivers Hoopers bench also came up big, with the quintet of captain Victor Koko, BAL Elevate player David Ike, Abel Offia, Onyebuchi Vincent, and Anaiye Johnson combining for 9 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
The result means the KingsMen remain top of the Sahara Conference standings as they head into Game 4 against AS Douanes, on Thursday, 9th May, by 8pm.
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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