Odaudu energizes as Hoopers take on Mali in BAL opener.
Rivers Hoopers head coach, Ogoh Odaudu, is confident that his team has what it takes to improve on last year’s performance in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) as they face Stade Malien in their opening game of the Kalahari Conference playoffs in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday (today), according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The KingsMen made history last year as the first Nigerian team to reach the BAL podium, finishing in third place.
While the team is aiming for a better outcome this season, Odaudu, who was named Coach of the Year last season, emphasized that their immediate focus is securing qualification for the playoffs, which will be held in South Africa later this year.
“Training has been going well, and we’ve made great strides over the past two weeks,” the coach shared. “Every tournament is like a test, and we aim to improve on our previous performance. We finished third last year, but we’re not rushing ahead. Our primary goal right now is to qualify from Morocco to the finals in South Africa, and once we achieve that, we can start thinking about other goals. Right now, we’re focused on being one of the two teams to qualify for South Africa from the Kalahari Conference.”
After today’s matchup with Stade Malien, Rivers Hoopers will face additional tough opponents in FUS Rabat of Morocco, Egypt’s Al Ittihad, and others. Odaudu acknowledged the challenge posed by the competition in the BAL.
“It’s tough, especially after qualifying from Nigeria. Now, everyone knows the name Rivers Hoopers across Africa, so it’s going to be even harder than last year. No one will underestimate Nigeria anymore—they know what we’re capable of. We’ve put a target on our backs since last season, and teams will be coming for us. But we’ll stick to our basketball and, hopefully, qualify for the playoffs.”
As part of the BAL’s roster requirements, Rivers Hoopers have added point guard Maxi Shamba (Congo DR), forwards Madut Akec (South Sudan) and Raphiael Putney (USA), while retaining key players like Kelvin Amayo and Peter Olisemeka, who helped the KingsMen win the Nigeria Premier Basketball League title last year. Youngster David Ugonna, who was part of the team in BAL season four, has also been elevated.
Despite the absence of sharpshooter Will Perry, the hardworking Devine Eke, and the seasoned John Wilkins—who were standout performers last year—Odaudu believes his current squad is more than capable of stepping up to the challenge.
“It’s a different team this year. We’ve brought in a new point guard, Maxi Shamba, and Raphiael Putney, who’s nearly 7-feet tall and can shoot the ball exceptionally well. We also have Madut Akec, who I think is an upgrade from what we had last year. Overall, the team is ready to go. I don’t like singling out players because every member of the team plays an equally important role in achieving our goals.”
