Captain of Nigeria’s Customs basketball club of Abuja; Nkem Akawaiwe has dropped a hint of an explosive approach to their Day-2 encounter against Kenya Ports Authority, at the inaugural edition of the FIBA Africa Basketball Women’s League (ABWL), being staged in Alexandria, Egypt.
The Customs Ladies were one of the two teams, to observe yesterday as official rest-day, but they will be back on the court today, at 1pm Nigerian time to face their Kenyan counterparts.
The Customs Ladies began their campaign at the inaugural edition of the tournament, on a bright note by beating their opponents from Cameroun, Université de Douala 57-46, on Monday.
The Customs Ladies took the first set 12-11, with Nkem Akawaiwe contributing 9 points and 5 rebounds, in the Egyptian city of Alexandria; and also won the second quarter 20-8 to lead 32-19 at halftime.
However, the Camerounians edged the third quarter 18-16; while the fourth and last quarter ended in an exciting 9 dunks, apiece.
Akawaiwe who ended the game with 20 points, 4 assists and 4 steals; while winning 19 rebounds, and 3 steals, described the KPA as wounded lions, after losing their opener 55-80 on Monday to Inter-Clube of Angola, and Tuesday’s 82-46 victory over CNSS of DR Congo; asserted that she and her team mate must play hard and never underestimate the East Africans, to be able to earn Nigeria a second victory, in as many games. But for Kenya Ports Authority, defeat to Nigeria will be their second loss in their opening three matches.
*Nigeria Customs 12-Woman Roster*
Isabel Constanza Gonzalez Fuentes
Sharon Rukeme Olaoluwatomi
Oluwayemisi Taiwo
Favour Chiamaka Opara
Maranne Rene Johnson
Ebere Cordelia Okeke
Isioma Deborah Onianwa
Oyindamola Abdulazeez
Marilyn Ogoigbe
Nofisat Jimoh
Nkem Akawaiwe
Mac-Dangusu Azibaye Theresa
*Coaches:* Abdulrahman Mohammed and
Ogoh Odaudu
In Monday’s other games, REG Women BBC of Rwanda thrashed the second entrant from Central Africa Zone, Overdose Up Station du Cameroun 86-45, in their Group B opener.
Group B’s other match saw Inter-clube of Angola trounce Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya 80-55. Equity Bank Hawks are in the tournament with a wildcard, offered by the organizers, after Al Ahly SC Women of Egypt withdrew their participation, following a disagreement with FIBA Africa, bothering on the hosting rights of the tournament.
Monday’s show stopper, was a Group A game between hosts, Sporting Alexandria and CNSS of the DR Congo; and it was preceded by an official opening ceremony.
Sporting won it 98-41 for the biggest margin victory, of the opening day of the competition, which runs until December 19, 2023.
Group A
Alexandria Sporting (Egypt) Hosts CNSS (DR Congo)
Customs Ladies (Nigeria)
Kenyan Ports Hawks (Kenya)
Université de Douala (Cameroun).
GROUP B
Inter-Clube (Angola)
Equity Bank Hawks (Kenya) W/Card
Overdose Station (Cameroun)
Aspac Cotonou (Benin)
REG (Rwanda)
*Tuesday’s Results*
Rwanda Energy Group (Rwanda) 89-96 Inter-Clube of Angola
ASPAC Cotonou (Benin Republic) 69-87 Equity Bank Hawks (Kenya)
Kenya Ports Authority (Kenya) 82-46 CNSS (DR Congo)
Université de Douala (Cameroun)
49-115 Sporting Alexandria (Egypt)
