16 Teams Qualify For Zenith Bank Conference Playoffs

Published

6 years ago

September 17, 2019

Joel Ajayi

16 teams have qualified for the National Conference Phase of the 2019 Zenith Women Basketball League after the conclusion of the group games across four venues.

Nigerian Army Amazons who remained unbeaten after 12 games in the North West Division booked a place in the Savannah Conference alongside Kaduna Angels who finished with 22 points.

Taraba Hurricanes with 7 wins out of 12 games also qualified with Adamawa Flames who managed 6 wins.

In the North Central Division held in Abuja, Air Warriors with 13 wins from 14 games topped the group to book a conference playoff ticket.

2018 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League bronze medalist, Nigerian Customs finished second with 13 wins after losing out to Air Warriors on head to head points.

Others include Plateau Rocks and Black Gold Queens of Abuja who won 10 and 8 games respectively.

In the South West Division in Ibadan, unbeaten First Bank of Lagos who won all their eight games to finish 1st ahead of rivals, Dolphins who won 6 games both qualified.

Ogun Babes and Oluyole Babes also booked places in the Atlantic Conference.

In Akure, MFM of Lagos were unstoppable as they won all their 10 games to qualify for the Conference phase of the 2019 Zenith Bank sponsored Women’s Basketball League.

It was a fierce battle between Sunshine Angels of Akure and Delta Force as they both won six games and lost four each to finish on 16 points.

Sunshine Angels however edged out their Asaba counterparts on superior head to head indices to finish on the 2ndspot.

Lagos based IGP Queens finished 4th to pick the last ticket from the zone ahead of 2017 league finalists First Deep Waters.

The new format which was recently introduced by the Nigeria Basketball Federation is targeted at increasing the number of games to be played per season.

Dates and venues for the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences of the 2019 Zenith Bank sponsored Women’s Basketball League will be announced in the coming days.

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Igoche Mark, Adeniyi Others Lead Stakeholders in Applauding Flyers’ Championship Feat, Set Focus on Making BAL History

Published

2 weeks ago

December 9, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi
It was an evening of celebration, pride, and renewed optimism as Nigeria’s newest basketball sensation, Mark Town Flyers, received a special reception in Abuja on Monday in honour of their stunning emergence as 2025 NBBF Champions—a feat many never saw coming.

Speaking at the event, basketball development advocate Igoche Mark described the Flyers’ victory as “history-making,” applauding their resilience and determination in overcoming overwhelming odds.

“They have done something that has never been done before. Many didn’t expect them to come this far, but they proved everyone wrong,” he said.

“I have faith in them. By the time they get to the BAL, they will make Nigeria proud and set the best record we’ve ever had.”

Mark also restated the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s traditional league structure—one that once featured home-and-away fixtures, a full-season calendar, and clear progression to the playoffs.

“We’re not asking for the moon. We only want what we used to have. Our league once ran for months with home and away games before the Final Eight. Bringing that system back is key to growing basketball in Nigeria,” he added.

“This Story Is Special”—Mark on Flyers’ RiseReflecting further, Mark said the team’s rise is proof of Nigeria’s abundant talent and the remarkable potential of young players when provided with adequate support.

“These boys came together barely a year ago and have achieved what many established teams could not. Beating the defending champions on their home court shows true grit and promise,” he noted.

Achii: “The Journey Was Hard, But the Vision Was Clear” Owner of Mark Town Flyers, Akerannan Manusseh Achii, shared the emotional and challenging journey that transformed the team—formerly Lagos Legends—into national champions.

“It was a tedious journey. I bought the team just two and a half weeks before the league started. Getting players, funding, logistics—everything was tough. But I’m grateful to God and the players,” he said.

Achii revealed that his vision took shape last year in Kigali during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals.

“We were watching the BAL, and I said I wanted to be here. I didn’t even have a team then. But this year I got the opportunity, we fought hard, and now we are heading to BAL. It feels surreal,” he stated.

Preparing for BAL: “We’re Ready and Open to Sponsorships”

With BAL qualification secured, Achii highlighted that the next phase is preparation and strategic partnerships.

“We want to go all the way. We are open to sponsorships, collaborations—anything that can help this team. At this stage, we’re representing not just a state, but Nigeria,” he emphasized.

Mark echoed the need for collective support from the private sector, stakeholders, and institutions.

“Benue State Government is already doing its part. But we all need to contribute. With joint support, this team will go far in the BAL,” he said.

General Manager of NTA 24 Sports, Kayode Adeniyi, commended the team’s doggedness, saying their exceptional drive distinguished them throughout the season.

He reflected on the excitement and glamour basketball once enjoyed in Nigeria, lamenting how administrative crises dimmed the sport’s appeal. He appealed to all stakeholders to revive the game for the benefit of the nation.

“I am appealing to Nigerians and everyone interested in basketball to do everything within their reach to bring the Game back to life in this country,” he urged.

In his welcome address, respected basketball advocate Kingsley Aigbonoga emphasized that true, sustainable development of the sport hinges on deliberate investment in youth.A Night of Unity and Hope.

The event brought together former and current basketball players, journalists, administrators, friends, and well-wishers—both young and old—showing the deep-rooted passion many still hold for the sport.

From a last-minute team acquisition to becoming national champions in less than a year, Mark Town Flyers have rewritten Nigerian basketball history. As their preparation for the BAL intensifies, one message echoing across the hall remained clear:

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