After observing yesterday as rest day in the ongoing NBBF/Zenith Bank Women Premier League action resumes today at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria with First Deepwater Basketball Club of Lagos taking on Sunshine Angels Basketball Club of Akure in a must win match.
The two club sides are second and third on the log respectively making the match a top of the clash match, as a loss by either of them may end their dream of lifting the trophy ahead of the defending champions, First Bank Basketball Club who are topping the log.
A victory in today’s match will put First Deepwater in pole position to fight for the league title as they are yet to lose a match in the ongoing final phase of the league, while their counterparts from Akure have already lost a match to First Bank, making it difficult for them to overtake First Bank, but the Aderemi Adewunmi-tutored side lost unexpectedly.
First Deepwater point guard, Upe Utosi stated that they are going for an outright victory in the match but cautioned that it will not be easy dumping the Segun Mimiko Ladies whom they lost to during the second phase of the league in Asaba.
The National Under-16 point guard said their ambition is to win the league this season and they are determined to achieve this, hence their resolve to take each match one after the other.
Meanwhile, a member of the League Board, Agboola Pinheiro, has expressed satisfaction with the standard of play in the league, saying with what he saw the future of the game for women is very bright.
He charged the ladies to be more focused and hard-working, adding that with hard work the sky will be their starting point.
In a related development, Lagos Islanders Basketball Club will take on Nigeria Customs Basketball Club in the NBBF/DSTV Men Premier League later today at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere.
The Lateef Erinfolami coached Islanders are second on the table after 7 matches, putting them in contention for the Final Eight, while their opponent in today’s clash, Nigeria Customs, are at the bottom of the table.
The contras fortunes of both sides makes the match a must watch because while Islanders are fighting to consolidate their position on the table, Nigeria Customs are fighting against relegation from the premier league.
—Wale Joseph