Rivers Hoopers Win NPBL Title, Advance to Basketball Africa League
Rivers Hoopers, under the leadership of coach Ogoh Odaudu, reclaimed the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) title, securing Nigeria’s sole ticket to the Basketball Africa League (BAL). They achieved this by defeating the Maktown Flyers 92-90 in an overtime thriller on September 24, 2026, in Port Harcourt, completing a flawless Final Four campaign.
Odaudu expressed his excitement about returning to the BAL, emphasizing the team's goal of regaining their national crown. Abel Offia, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, highlighted the crucial support from home fans during the match.
The game was tightly contested, with Maktown leading at halftime before Rivers Hoopers rallied back. Offia contributed significantly in overtime, scoring seven of his 14 points, including a pivotal jumper and a decisive layup.
Other notable performances included Peter Olisemeka's double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds, and Omar Abada's 17 points. The victory marked a significant achievement for Rivers Hoopers as they prepare for the continental competition.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Punch Newspapers. Read the original report below.
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