Basketball

Zenith Bank Women’s B’Ball League: Airwarriors, Custom Maintain Winning Streak

Published

6 years ago

September 11, 2019

…Talk tough ahead of the final match

Joel Ajayi

The new entrant into the National Women Zenith Basketball League, the Airwarriors Babes of Abuja have maintained six victories in a rolls in their first-ever appearance of the competition.

Airwarriors babes were too strong to whitewash Kanem Queen with 79-19.

Also, the Customs team also won 6 out of 6 games played so far having defeated FCT Wings team 73-37 at the Women league going on inside M.K.O Abiola National Stadium Package B Indoor court Abuja which will come to an end tomorrow Thursday.

The 2019 Zenith Women Basketball League which started across four centers in the country has produced interesting results with top teams maintaining their pedigree in the game.

Both teams will now meet in a battle of titian on Thursday to determine who will be the winner of Savannah Zone which in Abuja.

In the last game of the day, Plateau Rocks defeated Blackgold Queens 53-44.

Speaking ahead of the last games the Airwarriors Babes Coach Samson Sotimu expressed confidence that the team is up to the task to emerge, winner, tomorrow.

According to him, right now we had six games and we won all, so we are playing with an experienced team tomorrow, my girls too are up to the task so we would match them one by one.

“The hard work, the commitment, and team’s strive to win is now working for us because during the break we didn’t go for any break, we are still training and today we are seeing the result.”

As for Mr. Abdulmajeed Solademi, the Chairman and CEO of the Airwarriors Babes who expressed that Nigerian should be expecting more from his young team saying that his team will carry the day come Thursday.

“Those girls are very young, we can’t wait for the game, it will really be an interesting game.

“As usual, we will motivate the team more as we all know that, a journey of one thousand years begins with a step those girls are well prepared for this game and they are moving. I am really sure that they will win.” He assured.

On his own, the Head Coach of Custom Female Basketball, Abdulrahman Muhammed revealed that dream of every coach is to win a trophy and as far as I am a concern we are going to win.

“Game between Custom and Airwarriors Queens is not a big match; Airwarriors Babes is just a new team coming to the league we’ve been there for decades how do you think it’s a big one?

“It’s a new team coming into the premier league, we’re going to beat them tomorrow, and we have played Firstbank, Deepwater, Dolphins, etc. So, we can’t be playing Airwarriors Babes that are making their first appearance in the league and be saying it’s a big game. I am not saying they don’t have a chance of winning they can win as well but not the game.” He boasted.

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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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