Basketball in Africa

As the last day of the final-4 playoffs of the 3rd Lagos City league approaches, the minds of the coaching crew of Dodan Warriors basketball club and Kennys' Bullets basketball club will be pre-occupied in who carries the day Sunday as the two teams slug it out for a grand finale tickets in a winners take all situation.

The two sides have equal record of 1-1 having won and lost one game each in the final-4 against Ebun Comets and Union Bank, while Warriors backed by the trio of Col. Sam Ahmedu, Peter Ahmedu and recalled coach Adeka Dauda lost to Union Bank (91-88) last Wednesday the Bullets coached by two ex-internationals Lateef Erinfolami and Ogo Odaudu defeated Ebun Comets 79-72, with Warriors coming back to win an important game against Comets Friday by 59-55, just as the Bullets gun failed to fire when it went down to Union Bank 90-73 to set up Sunday's big match-up against Warriors at 16.00 hours at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium, Surulere.

The two sides have equal record of 1-1 having won and lost one game each in the final-4 against Ebun Comets and Union Bank, while Warriors backed by the trio of Col. Sam Ahmedu, Peter Ahmedu and recalled coach Adeka Dauda lost to Union Bank (91-88) last Wednesday the Bullets coached by two ex-internationals Lateef Erinfolami and Ogo Odaudu defeated Ebun Comets 79-72, with Warriors coming back to win an important game against Comets Friday by 59-55, just as the Bullets gun failed to fire any shot when it went down to Union Bank 90-73 to set up Sunday's big match-up at 16.00 hours.

The Warriors will bank on forward Michael Uma-Okoro who has been spectacular since the playoffs dunks off last Wednesday with support from Ibrahim Adamu, Mohammed Bukar, Daniel Daudu, Edwin Jerry, Friday Ujur Alexander and Nosa Omorogbe to confront Bullets' Baba Jibril, Michael Ohiero, Samson John, Dare Borokini, Godspower Igben and returnee off-guard, Abdulrahman Mohammed in a game of wit.

On Friday Orseer Ikyaator's 19 points could not save the Comets from defeat as it lost it second consecutive playoffs game to Dodan Warriors by 59-55 points of 14-15, 23-16, 08-14 and 10-08.

Other Comets players who made a double figure on the night includes centre Michael Udo with 14 points and off-guard and Junior Tigers invitee Ayodeji Egbeyemi with 10 points, Mohammed Bukar led the Warriors on the glorious night with 15 points in-form power forward Michael Uma-Okoro added 13 points while Friday Ujur Alexander contributed 10 points.

And in the second match between Union Bank and Bullets former Nigeria Junior national team captain Sola Alayande led his teammate with 17 points followed by Rasheed Bello with 16 points while the duo of Kingsley Aguara and Cameroon import William Ndoumbe added 13 points each with Lious Edem Ekpeyong registering his name on the score-sheet with 11 points, Bullets was led in scoring by forward Dare Borokini with 17 points while Baba Jibril and Samson John contributed 16 and 10 points respectively for a final scoreline of 90-73 of 21-08, 19-34, 24-11 and 26-20.

Friday Results:
Dodan Warriors 59-55 Ebun Comets
Union Bank 90-73 Kennys' Bullets

Sunday Pairing:
Union Bank Vs Ebun Comets - 14.00 hours
Dodan Warriors Vs Kennys' Bullets - 16.00 hours

By Seinde Ikuesan