Port Harcourt has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs for a fourth straight year, following a slight schedule adjustment by the League Management Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Originally slated for Aug. 22–29, the Playoffs (Phase 3) will now run from 29 August to 6 September at the Basketball Stadium, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers State.

In a communiqué issued on 21 August 2026 by NBBF Vice-President and League Chairman Babatunde Ogunade alongside Secretary-General Amina Amanchi, the federation commended the qualifying teams for their professionalism and performance thus far.

Per the updated schedule, participating teams are expected to arrive on 29 August for pre-tournament technical meetings, with competitive action running from 30 August through 5 September, while team departures take place a day later.

The eight-team, round-robin tournament features four qualifiers from the Atlantic Conference—Rivers Hoopers, Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read, and Lagos Raptors—alongside Savannah Conference representatives Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs, and Kano Pillars.

The selection of Port Harcourt re-establishes Rivers State as a central venue for elite domestic basketball in Nigeria and once again brings the action closer to the teeming fans, following a successful staging of the playoffs and Final Four at the same venue last year.

Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, have emerged as Nigeria’s highest-rated players in EA Sports FC 27, both handed an identical 85 overall rating in the game’s official list.

According to the ratings, ten Nigerian players are rated 78 overall or higher, reflecting a strong mix of attacking talent, midfield quality, defensive strength and goalkeeping experience across both the men’s and women’s national teams.

Nnadozie, who has built a strong reputation in European football and established herself as one of Africa’s leading goalkeepers, shares the top rating with Osimhen, whose spells in France, Germany, Italy and Turkey, including a Serie A title and the 2022/2023 Serie A Golden Boot with Napoli, have made him one of the continent’s most feared forwards.

Ademola Lookman, rated 83 overall, whose hat-trick for Atalanta in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen made him the first player to score three goals in a Europa League final, also features prominently among the leading names, just behind the two top-rated players, alongside Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade, Jennifer Echegini and Gift Monday, and Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi.

Ajibade, rated 81 overall, has built a strong reputation as an attacking midfielder in Europe and leads that group, while Iwobi, Echegini and Monday sit level on 80 overall.

Other Nigeria internationals recognised in the ratings include Ola Aina, on 79 overall, and Calvin Bassey, Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze and Nathan Tella, who are all rated 78 overall.

The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has congratulated the Port Harcourt Arsenal community for the successful hosting of the Nigeria Arsenal Converge 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi gave the commendation on Sunday, shortly after he received an award for “Outstanding Supporter of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community” at Ediz Wine Bar in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout for the program, which included a sanitation exercise at One Market, fun games at RSU, and a Community Shield watch party.

“The anniversary will run from Friday to Saturday, and Sunday, of course, we won the Community Shield,” he said.

“I am very grateful. I want to congratulate all of us for winning the Community Shield today.

“Today’s victory speaks to our supremacy over other clubs in the Premier League for winning the Community Shield,” Zeb-Obipi said.

He thanked the leadership of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for finding him worthy of the award.

He explained that he will continue to identify with the Arsenal community, adding that the community provides an opportunity for members to interact regardless of their status.

“That is the beauty of sports, the ability for us to network, to share joy, and of course, to derive the benefit and peace that football brings,” he said.

“I am very proud to be an Arsenal fan,” he stated.

By Kiadum Edookor