Tunis 2014 ACCM: Stakeholders Applaud Mark Mentors

Despite finishing ninth over-all in the just concluded 29th Africa Champions Cup for Men held in Tunis, Tunisia, Nigeria’s sole representative at the competition Mark Mentors basketball club have receive praises from various basketball stakeholders across Nigeria.

The Peter Ahmedu tutored Mentors who debuted at the continent biggest men club championship failed to made it to the knock-out stages after starting it group-B campaign on a promising note with a 68-65 points win over Abidjan Basket Club of Cote d’Ivoire but subsequently faltered in the group remaining games.

The Nigerian side also defeated Malabo Kings basketball club of Equatorial Guinea to finish ninth after getting a full dosage of what it takes to play among the biggest teams across Africa.

Mark Mentors chairman, Igoche Mark was singled out by stakeholders for remaining steadfast and believing in the ability of the team that came into limelight two seasons ago.

Tijjani Umar. NBBF President

President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijjani Umar while speaking on a live radio programme on Monday said the team did well at the continental championship.

The NBBF boss, however, believed that Mentors would have finish among the top-four if it had the needed experience and exposure but says the team must have learnt one or two lessions from the Tunisia Champions Cup won by Angola Clube Recreativo E Desportivo Do Libolo.

Umar called on all stakeholders in the game to play it’s part so that Nigeria teams (clubs and national teams) can benefit more from activities that would propel the game to a higher level in Nigeria.

He concluded that 2015 will be a more challenging year for Nigeria as there are more continental championships that Nigeria would enter at national and club levels.

Ayo Bakare

Former head coach of the senior national men’s team, Ayodele Bakare urged people to understand that Mark mentors made its debut at the African stage and finishing ninth was not a bad result.

“I understand people’s expectation from Mentors but sincerely, it is not easy on the international stage, especially for first-timers as Mark Mentors were. Let us appreciate what they have been able to do, commend and encourage them. I am sure they have learnt a lot and will do much better as time goes on. And thanks to them, Nigeria’s flag was hoisted at that tournament and the country was represented, Bakare opined.

Vice-president of the NBBF, Muktar Khaleh on his part said Nigerians need to appreciate what the mentors have achieved; we must not forget it’s their first time out there. The team must have learnt a lot at the championship and for sure they will register a better performance the next time they get there. Kodus guys.

Tunis 2014 ACCM: Mark Mentors In Crucial Ties

29th edition of the Africa Champions Cup for Men, Tunis,

Nigeria’s sole representative at the final round of the 29th edition of the Africa Champions Cup for Men currently on in Tunis, Tunisia, Mark Mentors basketball club must raise it game in its two remaining games in group-B.

The Nigerian debutant in the continent biggest men club competition currently occupied the fourth position in the group which has eight-time winner of the Champions Cup Primeiro D’Agosto of Angola with one win and two loses and must beat US Monastir basketball club of Tunisia on Monday and ASB Mazembe basketball club of Democratic Republic of Congo in it last group game on Tuesday.

Mark Mentors BC

Mark Mentors started it campaign on a bright note when it pip Abidjan Basket Club of Cote d’Ivoire in it group-B opening game by 68-65 points last Thursday only to succumbed to the defending champion Agosto by 88-74 points on Friday and lost again to Etoile Sportive Rades basketball club of Tunisia by a single digit of 73-65 points a pointer that the Coach Peter Ahmedu tutored Nigerian side can still make it to the knock-out stage if it raises it game against the Tunisian and Congolese sides.

Fellers from the team Tunisia camp reveal that the players and their handlers have resolve to put in their best so as make it possible to get a quarter-final ticket.

Mentors have a cumulative total of 207 points and conceded 226 points with average of 69 points per-game and an average of 75.33 points against which means it has to develop a more proactive offense while shutting down threat around it low-post because it might come down to head-head to decided who goes through as US Monastir is second on the log with 2-1 record having defeated ASB Mazembe by 68-54 points last Friday while Mazembe who has played two games in the group and lost both to US Monastir and Agosto while Abidjan Basket Club might be completely out of contention having lost all three games played so far including the 68-65 points loss to Mark Mentors.

Africa Champions Cup Zone-3 Qualifiers-Four Nigerian Clubs Storm Ouagadougou For Final Ticket

Four Nigerian club-sides will this weekend storm Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for the 2014 Africa Champions Cup Zone-3 qualifiers billed for October 20 through 29.

The four clubs two men and two women teams are seeking qualification for the four tickets available for the final round of the continent biggest club championship slated for November and December in Tunisia.

Campaigning alongside six other men teams from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Nigeria league champion Kano Pillars and runner-up Mark Mentors basketball clubs will compete for the two available slot to the final round.

While First Bank basketball club and Dolphins basketball club will be up against opposition from teams from Burkina Faso and Niger Republic as only four women clubs enter for the zone qualifiers which will produce two teams for the final round.

The FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifiers is not new to Kano Pillars Mark Mentors basketball club of Abuja on the other hand will be making it debut in the continental qualifier but with rich roster.

First Bank basketball club head coach, Adewumi Aderemi hinted that his wards are ready for any opposition as they seek to qualify for the finals billed for Tunisia next month.

“We know what is expected from us and we are very focus in achieving that goal, so nothing short of making it to Tunisia will be accepted from the players.

“We have the same set of players that won the Nigeria league title with us but might look to strengthen the roster for the final round.

First Bank basketball club will bank on experience of reigning most valuable player (MVP) in the Nigerian league Chioma Udeaja, team captain Oluchi Nzekwe and other younger players to help with the qualification.

Chairman Mark Mentors basketball club Igoche Mark has enjoined the technical crew and players to be a good ambassador of not just the club but of Nigeria, urging them to remember that they are going to represent the entire country at the Burkina Faso qualifier.

He, however, challenge them to ensure the qualification of the team for the final round notwithstanding the fact that they are debutant.

Meanwhile the Secretariat of the continental body FIBA Africa has release the names of the officials for the Zone-3 qualifiers this is made up of two match commissioners, five accompanying referees and four neutral referees.

The two match commissioners are Iddrisu Ayambire from Ghana and Mamadou Belem from Burkina Faso, the five accompanying referees includes three Nigerians – Babatunde Popoola, Olayinka Famogbiyele and Kingsley Ojeaburu; Abdoulaye Kamagate from Cote d’Ivoire and Mouhamadou Kadir from Niger Republic, while the neutral referees are Sami Belgharek (Tunisia), Tarek Ben Ltaifa (Tunisia), Youssouf Maiga (Mali) and Nourou Djeri (Togo).

The competition will be officiated according to FIBA rule of two and three-man officiating.