One of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 representatives, at the inaugural edition of the FIBA Africa Basketball Women’s League (AWBL) being staged in Alexandria, Egypt; Nigeria Customs were on Wednesday afternoon beaten 73-53 points by Kenya Ports Authority Ladies, in a second Group B encounter, for both sides.
The Kenyan Champions (KPA), Coached by a Nigerian, Anthony Ojukwu started the match like a house on fire, racing to a 7-0 lead in a little over 2 minutes before the Customs Ladies regained some composure and eventually won the first quarter 18-17 dunks, with Captain Nkem Akaraiwe leading with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist; while Oluwayemisi Taiwo contributed 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
But the KPA Ladies took the second half by storm, scoring freely from all directions to win the 2nd quarter 28-08, to take an 18-point lead at halftime; and Supremo of the Customs team, Samuel Onikekun aptly described the half as horrendous, likening it to a bad day in the office.
A more defensive and determined Customs side, fought back in the 3rd quarter but still lost 15-17, and the Kenyan side propelled by the enterprising Victoria Reynolds, who for the sey day was the star of the show as she knocked down 21 points as KPA wrapped up the win despite losing the 4th and final quarter, 11-12.
Again, captain Nkem Akawaiwe was the star performer for the Customs and she finished the game as top scorer, with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 Assists and 2 Steals; while Madina Okot was the top performer for KPA, with 10 points, 9 rebounds, No Assist, 4 steals and 2 blocks.
The emphatic 20 point victory was KPA’s second in two matches played thus far; and for the Customs Ladies, it was a win and a loss, in their first two games.
Ahead of the encounter captain Nkem Akawaiwe predicted an explosive encounter against the KPA Ladies but assured that she and her team mates will take the bull by the horn.
The Customs Ladies were one of the two teams, to observe Tuesday as an official rest day, having begun their campaign on a bright note by beating their opponents from Cameroun, Université de Douala 57-46, on Monday.
In Wednesday’s other games played, ASPAC Cotonou of Benin Republic was beaten for the third time in as many games, while losing 52-77 dunks to Overdose Up Station of Cameroun.
Overdose led in all the quarters 22-14, 18-17, 18-13, and 19-8; as ASPAC which qualified as the second team from FIBA Zone 3 felt blown away.
The Group A match between Université de Douala of Cameroun and DR Congo’s CNSS produced the closet fought fixture of the tournament so far, but the Camerounians it 69-65 dunks.
That match preceded the show stopper, which pitted wildcard entrant, Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya against Rwanda Energy Group BBC Women, in a Group B showdown, which REG won by seeping aside Equity Bank Hawks 84-59 points.
Up next for the Customs Ladies is a mouthwatering clash with the hosts of the tournament, Sporting Alexandria, on Thursday, starting from 9 pm Nigerian time.
