Nigeria Customs Service Women Basketball Team beat Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya 83-53 points to finish 5th position at the 2023 Africa Women Basketball League in Alexandria, Egypt.
The win against Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya ensured Customs won four out of seven matches played during the championship.
Team captain Nkem Akaraiwe led the floor with 27 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and a 44 efficiency rating. Favour Chiamaka Opara poured in 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 26 efficiency rating while Ebere Cordelia Okeke added 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists to spur a big celebration from the Border Ladies.
The Border Girls started their campaign on a bright note with a win over University of Douala, 57-46 points before losing to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) by 73-53 points in their second game. In their third match, Customs lost to Sporting of Alexandria 96-57 points before returning to winning ways against CNSS Baskeball Club of DR Congo 66-57 points.
In the 5-8 classification game, Customs beat Overdose Up Station of Cameroon 67-58 points to qualify for the 5-6 placement before going on to beat Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya 83-53 points to finish 5th position.
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Captain of the side, Nkem Akaraiwe expressed delight participating in the Africa Women Basketball League.
She hailed the Comptroller General of Customs for his immense support for the team.
“I am excited that we could reach this far given the short time we had to prepare for the zonal elimination which was concluded a few days before our departure to Alexandria, Egypt for the competition proper.
“On behalf of the players and the technical crew, we want to appreciate our CG and the Nigeria Customs Service management for the huge support given to us and we promise to continue to make the team, the service and the country proud,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, The Sports Secretary of Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku has heaped huge praises on the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi for his commitment and support to the development of the sports.
Onikeku said, “For the Customs women’s basketball team to finish 5th in the continent is a thing of joy to us and the service, I want to appreciate the CG and the management for sponsoring the trip, I want to appreciate the DCG Commander in charge of sports for the assistant and indeed to entire team coaches, players doctor and everybody that work hard for us to get this result
“Twenty-three years ago was the last time we played continental but coming here playing 7 matches winning 4 lost 3 is a positive sign that once we prepare more and qualify on time we will be able to do better than this.
“NCS hosted zone 3 qualifiers and it was full of commendations everybody was happy that NCS hosted it if not there wouldn’t be any representative from Nigeria.”
