Basketball in Africa

The hope of Kano-based Adolescent Health and Information Programme, AHIP basketball club of creating a major upset in the third and final phase of the Zenith Bank sponsored women basketball league was yesterday dimmed by defending champion, First Deepwater basketball club of Lagos. First Deepwater with the victory has maintained a clean slate in the league.

AHIP, one of the surprise team in the top flight women league in the recent past lost in all four quarters to the Oil and Gas ladies by 03-21, 08-22, 12-19 and 11-14 for a cumulative scoreline of 34-76 points.
First Deepwater point guard, Upe Atosu led her team in the challenge for a second title in three seasons with 16 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Blessing Emmanuel contributed 11 points and 4 rebounds while the duo of Nkechi Akashili and Mary Chinweukwu added 10 points each.
The champions will take on FCT Angels today in match Day-8 while AHIP battles Plateau Rocks of Jos.
Customs Lose To Delta Force
Nigeria Customs of Lagos continued their downward slide in the league losing to Delta Force of Asaba by 52-58 points. The border ladies, one-time champion of the Nigerian domestic scene won the first and third quarters by 13-08 and 17-15 but gave up the second and fourth quarters by 10-15 and 12-20.
Delta Force forward, Esther Igben led the floor with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Customs will have their hands full today as it confront former champion, First Bank of Lagos. Delta Force will take on Nigeria Immigration Service of Kano.