14 December 2007
NIGERIA : Potters Begin Title Chase
by Wale Quadri
Lagos
Nigeria's sole representatives at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men, Niger Potters of Minna will try their opponents, Ferroviario Beira of Mozambique for size in group B opener today at the Huambo Stadium, Angola.
The other group B matches will see Abidjan Basketball Club of Cote d'Ivoire taking on Stade Malien of Bamako.
The championship which begins today will also feature defending champion Angola Petroleos Atletico basketball club of Luanda begin it title defense against Democratic Republic of Congo BC Onatra basketball club in Huambo.
The Nigeria side led by Coach Adamu Kuta has lined up crop of tested players to repeat the feat recorded at the Africa Zone 3 qualifiers where the team won all their games to top the zone.
Other matches billed for Day-1 of the final round, in group-A host, Interclube basketball club of Luanda will take on APR of Rwanda in Cabinda, while ASB Kauka from Democratic Republic of Congo will take to the floor against 2006 runner-up Primero de Agosto and MBC of Guinea will do battle against ASPAC basketball club of Cotonuo, Republic of Benin.
Cup holder, Petroleos won the title in 2006 in Lagos after subduing arch rival Primero de Agosto in the grand finale.
Meanwhile, President FIBA Africa Zone 3, Muktar Khaleh has warned the Nigerian side not be complacent in their search for laurel at the championship.
He enjoined the team to be focused and determine to fly the country's flag high, saying reward await them on return.
The championship is considered to be the biggest club competition on the FIBA calendar and the winner qualifies for next year's FIBA-world club championships.
Lagos
Nigeria's sole representatives at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men, Niger Potters of Minna will try their opponents, Ferroviario Beira of Mozambique for size in group B opener today at the Huambo Stadium, Angola.
The other group B matches will see Abidjan Basketball Club of Cote d'Ivoire taking on Stade Malien of Bamako.
The championship which begins today will also feature defending champion Angola Petroleos Atletico basketball club of Luanda begin it title defense against Democratic Republic of Congo BC Onatra basketball club in Huambo.
The Nigeria side led by Coach Adamu Kuta has lined up crop of tested players to repeat the feat recorded at the Africa Zone 3 qualifiers where the team won all their games to top the zone.
Other matches billed for Day-1 of the final round, in group-A host, Interclube basketball club of Luanda will take on APR of Rwanda in Cabinda, while ASB Kauka from Democratic Republic of Congo will take to the floor against 2006 runner-up Primero de Agosto and MBC of Guinea will do battle against ASPAC basketball club of Cotonuo, Republic of Benin.
Cup holder, Petroleos won the title in 2006 in Lagos after subduing arch rival Primero de Agosto in the grand finale.
Meanwhile, President FIBA Africa Zone 3, Muktar Khaleh has warned the Nigerian side not be complacent in their search for laurel at the championship.
He enjoined the team to be focused and determine to fly the country's flag high, saying reward await them on return.
The championship is considered to be the biggest club competition on the FIBA calendar and the winner qualifies for next year's FIBA-world club championships.
# posted by afrbk : 18:00
