Basketball in Africa

Secretary General of ASPAC basketball club of Cotonou, Jean Paul is confident that the club will make it to the final round of the 2009 FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men billed for Kigali, Rwanda between December 11 and 20.

Speaking with our correspondent in Cotonou recently, the light-skin ASPAC top officials says the management of the Cotonou-based side has fully backed the team campaign in the qualifiers which will draw clubs from the eight countries that make-up the zone where only two clubs are expected to make it to the final round in Rwanda.

JP, as he is fondly called also believe his club will be a credible host of the qualifiers as it co-host with the Benin Basketball Federation, FBBB as a last minute host as Kano Pillars basketball club of Nigeria pulled out of hosting the qualifiers at the last minute.

Also confident of ASPAC making it through the qualifiers is Nigeria-born head coach of the Cotonou side, Peter Ahmedu who share the same optimism with the club secretary.

Coach Ahmedu says the players are ready to take on any opposition during the qualifiers.

Speaking during one of the team training session at the IRSP gymnase in Ouidah, Benin Republic, the former Dodan Warriors basketball club of Nigeria assistant coach says no team scare him in the zone as the club have already set its eyes on the final round in Rwanda.

The FIBA Africa Zone-III qualifiers runs from November 27 through December 6 with eight teams from five countries in the zone gunning for the two tickets at stake.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA