By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, Nov. 10, 2022 (NAN) Regina Akpera, the Head Coach of Benue Braves Basketball Club of Makurdi, says her team is confident of achieving the maximum goal at the Basketball Final Eight Championship in Lagos.
Akpera told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that their team spirit was very high after they beat Rivers Hoopers 78-66 to reach the semi-finals.
She said the team’s fighting spirit gave them the victory and they were confident the performance could spur them to reaching their first-ever final match at the Final Eight Championship.
“We played well and we are determined from the begining to the end and never allowed Rivers Hoopers to dominate at any point.
“Personally I dedicate the victory to God Almighty, because this achievement has been long overdue.
“Our team is very young but very energetic and the fighting spirit is very high and this has kept us believing from the begining that we are the team to watch out for,” the coach said.
Similarly, David Mustapha, the team’s captain, expressed the determination of the team to progress into the final.
He said the team was very strong and coordinated, with the desire to play and win together.
Mustapha said this was what motivated them to do well and play strongly against any opposition.
“We are here to prove a point and we shall stop at nothing to prove our capabilities. We play together as a team and believe strongly that we can go beyond the semi-finals.
“To berth in the final match will be a dream come true and as long as we stick together, we can achieve. I believe strongly in our team spirit,” he said.
In results of the final group games played on Thursday, Kano Pillars crushed Lagos Islanders 78-39, while Gombe Bulls demolished Police Batons 74-39.
Nigeria Customs had to endure two overtime plays to beat hard-fighting Kwara Falcons 80-72 to also record their win.
NAN reports that the competition’s semi-finals will see Kwara Falcons up against Benue Braves while Rivers Hoopers face Nigeria Customs on Friday.
