Rivers Hoopers made a daring assertion of their opening recreation of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 5, defeating Stade Malien of Mali in convincing trend with a last rating of 81-60 within the Kalahari Convention opener held in Rabat, Morocco.
After a sluggish begin that noticed the Nigerian champions trailing by seven factors on the finish of the primary quarter (16-23), the Hoopers discovered their rhythm and by no means appeared again.
Led by Kelvin Amayo, who scored 19 factors, the workforce turned the tide earlier than halftime, taking a 41-35 lead into the break.
By the third quarter, the KingsMen had constructed a commanding 62-47 lead, and so they closed out the sport with a dominant fourth quarter, limiting Stade Malien to 13 factors whereas piling on 19 of their very own.
South Sudanese ahead Madut Akec impressed in his debut, ending with a double-double of 16 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Raphiael Putney added 14 factors, and Maxi Shamba contributed 11 factors.
Peter Olisemeka anchored the defence with 12 rebounds and 9 factors, serving to the Hoopers overpower their Malian opponents.
The win marks one other sturdy begin for the Rivers Hoopers, who additionally gained their opening recreation in final 12 months’s match the place they went on to complete third—the all-time end by a Nigerian membership in BAL historical past.
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Preparation and recruitment
Earlier than the match, the workforce had spent two weeks in a closed coaching camp in preparation for the season. Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu, who was named BAL Season 4 Coach of the Yr, emphasised that the workforce’s major aim is to qualify for the BAL playoffs in South Africa.
“We got here third final 12 months, however we’re not trying too far forward. Our first goal is to qualify from Morocco to the finals in South Africa,” Odaudu mentioned. “Each match is like an examination—you need to do higher than the final. However we all know it’s going to be more durable this time. Everybody is aware of our title now, so we’ll face even stronger competitors.”
Regardless of the absence of key gamers from final season like Will Perry, Devine Eke, and John Wilkins, the Hoopers have added new expertise together with Maxi Shamba (Congo DR), Madut Akec (South Sudan), and Raphiael Putney (USA).
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The workforce additionally retained core contributors Kelvin Amayo and Peter Olisemeka, in addition to rising expertise David Ugonna.
Coach Odaudu stays assured within the workforce’s capacity. “It’s a special group, however they’re all succesful. I don’t single out gamers—we win as a workforce,” he mentioned.
With their first win within the bag and 5 extra video games forward within the convention, Rivers Hoopers are off to a powerful begin as they proceed their quest for BAL glory.
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