By Temitayo Oshikoya
Nigerian clubs MFM Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club will battle for places in the African Women’s Basketball League finals when they compete in the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 2 to 9, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The six-team competition will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Indoor Gymnasium in Paynesville, with the top two teams earning qualification for the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for December 11 to 19.
MFM and First Bank will be seeking to carry their domestic form into the qualifiers after meeting in the final of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, where MFM claimed a narrow 66-64 victory.
The result underlined the close rivalry between the Nigerian sides, who will now look to establish themselves against opponents from across the region and secure their places in Cairo.
Defending FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions Friends of Basketball Association of Côte d’Ivoire will also compete, alongside Benin Republic’s Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou.
Hosts Liberia will be represented by Flames Basketball Club, the domestic league runners-up, and reigning national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club.
The Nigerian clubs secured their places in the qualifiers after FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule following the late conclusion of their domestic league campaign. The intervention was facilitated by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retd.).
Preparations for the tournament are also gathering momentum, with Flames president and Liberia Basketball Association Secretary-General Calvin Diggs saying the organisers are working to deliver a successful competition.
FIBA Africa Zone 3 Secretary Joe Apu also expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness, citing the experience of the country’s basketball community in hosting international events.
With six teams competing for just two qualification places, MFM and First Bank will face a demanding test as they seek to progress to the continental finals in Egypt.
