Rivers Hoopers have reclaimed the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) title, clinching their seventh championship and securing a return to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2027.

The KingsMen, who were unbeaten in the Final Four Playoffs in Port Harcourt, were crowned champions of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League this week after edging defending champions Maktown Flyers 92-90 in overtime on Tuesday, having already secured the championship with an 88-76 victory over Gboko City Chiefs on Monday.

Maktown Flyers started with the stronger push, taking a 26–22 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending their advantage to 47–38 at half-time. However, the resolute Rivers Hoopers side responded after the break, drawing level at 63–63 heading into the fourth quarter.

The two sides remained tied at 80–80 at the end of regulation time, which forced overtime, as Rivers Hoopers held their nerve in the extra period to secure a 92–90 victory and reclaim the NPBL title.

The triumph takes Rivers Hoopers to seven NPBL titles, tying them with Kano Pillars for the joint-most championships in the league.
Tuesday’s victory over Maktown Flyers completed a perfect finish to the Final Four and provided redemption for Rivers Hoopers after their agonising 74-72 defeat to the same opponents in last season’s championship game on home soil.

Rivers Hoopers forward Abel Offia was named the league’s Most Valuable Player after helping the Port Harcourt side reclaim the domestic crown. He averaged 18 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while recording an efficiency rating of 17.8 in the course of the tournament.

The title also secures Rivers Hoopers’ place in the 2027 Basketball Africa League, marking their return to the continental stage after a season-long absence.

Speaking to newsmen after the title-clinching victory, the elated Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu said the team was determined not to suffer another heartbreak on home soil.

“I’m really, really happy. We had a heartbreak at home here last season, and we didn’t want thunder to strike in the same place twice. We put up a good fight, and right now I’m really happy for the boys, happy for the crowd, happy for Rivers State, and happy that we’re back where we’re supposed to be,” Odaudu said.

“We didn’t want to keep the game close and let it go down to the wire. We wanted to blow them out and ensure that we had control of the game, and the players played it to perfection. I’m really, really proud of them.”

In the other Final 4 fixture, debutants ASO Sky Hawks defeated Gboko City Chiefs 80–75 to finish as runners-up with a 2–1 record. Paul Dibal led the Sky Hawks with a game-high 32 points.

Nigerian referee Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam has been selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

Abdulsalam is the only Nigerian among the 81 match officials appointed for the tournament, which will run from November 19 to December 13.

The 34-year-old referee, who has been a FIFA-licensed official since 2022, is one of four centre referees selected from Africa. Eight assistant referees from the continent are also part of the officiating team.

His appointment comes four years after Nigerian match official Mimisen Iyorhe Calvin Onwuka served as an assistant referee at the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

Abdulsalam has previously officiated at two Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 2023 and 2026 editions.

FIFA chief refereeing officer and chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, said the selected officials were among the most promising referees from their respective confederations.

“For this year’s edition, we have again brought together some of the most promising officials from every confederation,” Collina said.

“They have been selected not only for their performances, but also for their ability to work as part of an international team and meet the demands of a major FIFA tournament.”

While Abdulsalam will represent Nigeria among the match officials, the country’s Golden Eaglets will not feature at the tournament after failing to progress beyond the West Africa Football Union stage of the qualifiers.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has taunted his critics after returning to Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nwabali posted a video on his Instagram Story earlier this week showing his penalty saves against Egypt stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush during Nigeria’s third-place play-off victory at AFCON 2025.

The Chippa United goalkeeper captioned the video: “I’m back, it’s time to keep crying .”

Nwabali was one of Nigeria’s standout performers as the Super Eagles defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal, with the goalkeeper saving efforts from Salah and Marmoush. He was subsequently named Man of the Match.

His international fortunes changed after the tournament when he left Chippa United in February 2026 in search of a new club.

However, the anticipated move did not materialise, leaving Nwabali without regular competitive football and out of Nigeria’s subsequent squads.

Maduka Okoye subsequently featured for the Super Eagles, while Arthur Okonkwo also emerged as a contender after receiving his first senior Nigeria call-up following FIFA approval of his change of international allegiance.

Okonkwo impressed during the 2026 Unity Cup, keeping clean sheets in Nigeria’s victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica.

Nwabali’s prospective return to the national team began in July when Chippa United confirmed that he had rejoined the club five months after his departure. The South African side said the goalkeeper had “taken time away” before returning to the Eastern Cape and marked his competitive return against Golden Arrows with six saves and a clean sheet, earning the Man of the Match award.

Nwabali has since continued to feature regularly for Chippa United, including a six-save display in the club’s 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns on September 12.

His return to regular club football paved the way for his Super Eagles recall, with head coach Eric Chelle naming him alongside Okoye and Okonkwo for Nigeria’s September AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

The Super Eagles host Madagascar in Uyo today, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.