Rivers Hoopers returns to the BAL Playoffs, and this time they want to do better than last year’s third-place finish.
The Basketball Africa League Playoffs will hold in Pretoria, South Africa, for a second consecutive season, with two more games to play in the Kalahari Conference.
The Kinfsmen completed a double over FUS Rabat to move 3-1 in the Kalahari Conference.
Rivers Hoopers Returns To BAL Playoffs With A New Desire
Coach Odaudu says the team’s target is to surpass their previous record-setting third-place finish.
”We came in third last year. We are hoping that we are going to go a step further. Everybody wants that for us; they have pushed us, and we want to go a step further than what we did last year.
The KingsMen will face Egyptian champions for the first position while FUS and Stade Malien will battle for the third spot.
Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu is happy with the qualification for the 2025 BAL Playoffs with two more games to go.
”It feels really good to qualify for the finals again. It is the highest basketball stage in Africa, and everybody in Africa wants to be there.”
”Right from the get-go, our target was to make the playoffs. Now that we have made the playoffs, we are going to get greedy.”
How Rivers Hoopers Reach The BAL Playoffs
Madut Akec led the way with 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Raphiel Putney contributed 14 crucial points.
Despite trailing against FUS Rabat for three quarters, the Hoopers staged one of the most impressive comebacks of the conference, dominating the fourth quarter.
Peter Olisemeka was rock solid in the paint, posting a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Maxi Munanga Shamba added 11 points.
What Next?
The Kingsmen will next face Al-Ittihad Alexandria in their fifth game of the Kalahari Conference on Saturday before playing against Stade Malien on Sunday.