Basketball

Zenith Bank Women’s League: First Bank, Nigerian Army maintains unbeaten run

Published

6 years ago

September 10, 2019

Zenith Bank Women’s League: First Bank, Nigerian Army maintains unbeaten run

Action continues in the 2019 Zenith Bank sponsored Women’s Basketball League as teams battle for places in the National conference phase.

On day one of the Zenith Women’s Basketball League, defending champions, First Bank of Lagos pummeled less fancied, Ogun Babes, 110-30 points at the South West Conference in Ibadan.

Dolphins also showed their superiority over Oluyole Babes, 104-31 points

Day two results saw First Bank hammer Oluyole Babes 95-23 points to maintain their unbeaten run in the league while Dolphins won against Ogun Babes 90-40 points.

In Akure, MFM under Aderemi Adewunmi defeated DeepWater 73-36 points. It was a close battle between Sunshine Angels and IGP Queens. At the end of the feisty duel, the Nigerian Police sponsored team won 40-37 points.

Day three results saw Delta Force again inflicting another loss on Sunshine Angels 58-49 points. MFM beat IGP Queens 66-30 points.

In the North Central Zone holding in Abuja, Air Warriors beat Black Gold 94-45 points, FCT Wings overpowered Nassarawa Amazons 56-37 points as Plateau Rocks outscored Kanemi Queens 61-32 points and Nigeria Customs walked over Benue Princess 20-0.

On day two in the North Central, Plateau Rocks beat FCT Wings 74-63 points, Nigerian Customs with a more equipped arsenal defeated Nasarawa Amazons 101- 29 points.

Blackgold recorded their first win of the second phase beating hapless Kanem Queens 72-25 points.

Air warriors Babes with 56 points defeated Plateau Rocks who could only manage to score 25 points as another walkover ceremony was performed by FCT Wings over Benue Princess.

Other results on day three, Plateau Rocks 20 – Benue Princess 0, Nasarawa Amazons 55 defeated Kanem Queens 34, FCT wings list 40 – 83 to Air Warriors and Black gold were beaten63- 29 by Nigeria Customs.

Plateau Rocks whipped Nasarawa Amazons 63- 17 while Amazons defeated Benue Princess 20-0.

Seven teams are currently sweating it out at the indoor gymnasium of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with

the Nigerian Army Amazons leading the zone ahead of GT 2000 and Kaduna.

Others are Taraba Hurricanes, Adamawa Flames, Zamfara Flames, Kebbi Equity Queens and Exousia Angels, Adamawa.

GT 2000 defeated Kebbi 59-34 points. Adamawa dug deep to defeat Zamfara Angels 69-43 points while 20 points were awarded Nigerian Army after performing a walk over ceremony over Exousia who failed to show up.

Day 2 matches saw Zamfara defeating Kebbi Equity, 50-28 points while GT 2000 lost 40-52 points to sizzling hot Nigerian Army. Taraba defeated Exousia Angels 56-50 points.

So far, Nigerian Army have recorded three wins out of three games while Kebbi Equity Queens lost all their three games.

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Basketball

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

Published

1 week 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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