22 October 2007

13th Champions Cup for women – Maputo 07: Aboderin blame referees as Dolphins lost narrowly to Ferro

Wale Aboderin and his ladies held their head high even in defeat Sunday when they almost created the biggest upset in the 13th FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women with a 69-67 points lose to host and 2006 runner-up, Ferroviario basketball club of Maputo.

The Nigerian side took an early lead in the action packed match winning the first quarter 23-09 points thus opening a 14 points lead only to give up the second quarter allowing the Mozambican to run away with a 15-09 points win ending the first half by 32-24 points.

The third quarter provided the host enough ground to further reduce the margin to just one point separating them and Dolphins with a 22-15 points win and went on to put paid to the ambition of Dolphins from picking their first win in the final of the biggest club competition for women with a 23-20 points win for a cumulative score-line of 69-67 points.

Dolphins USA import and former Nigeria international forward Rashidat Sodiq led the floor with a double double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, energetic 6 feet 1 inch forward, Tinuke Arowosafe also had a double double of 15 points and 10 rebounds while Julie Onyelugo contributed 12 points just as Patricia Chukwuma grabbed 11 rebounds.

Ferroviario Janete Monteiro poured in 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for her side, Julia Machalele added 12 points and 3 assists while Rute Muianga great effort of double double of 11 rebounds, 10 points and 5 assists was enough to give their side the much desired victory.

Fans that thronged the Grupo Desportivo gymnasium applauded the spirited efforts of the Nigerian for holding a side such as Ferroviario but blamed them for not wrapping up the game when it matters most, while owner and head coach of Nigerian side, Wale Aboderin blamed the defeat on two the referees, Sammy Wakaba and Henry Rosolo.

He says the referee committee of FIBA Africa should take measures to keep the referees up to date on the ever changing rules of the dynamic game of basketball if progress must be made by African teams, he urged the referee to let the better team wins that the continent deserve the best representation at the FIBA World Club League for Women.

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