By Segun Ikuesan
Nigeria Customs basketball club (women) rose from first quarter threat by MFM basketball club of Lagos to win the Africa Women Basketball League Zone 3 qualifiers at the MO Arena in Abuja Tuesday night by 55-49 points.
The ‘Border Ladies’ Nkem Akarawe once again proved her mettle with another back-to-back double double of 16 rebounds, 15 points, 3 assists, 3 steals and an efficiency rating of 20.
Customs trailed by 6-point (13-19) in the first quarter but closed the margin to just one point at the close of the second period (16-11), they however gave away a point in the third quarter (8-9) going into the final quarter with two points deficit (37-39).
The deciding quarter proved decisive was where the game plan of the Abdulrahman Mohamed tutored side became effective as they rode rough-shod over MFM with an 18-10 points win to stay perfect with a 55-49 points victory.
Customs alongside second place side ASPAC of Benin Republic will join eight other teams for the 2023 edition of the Africa Women Basketball League final round in Egypt from December 9-17.
Coach Abdulrahman Mohamed and captain Nkem Akarawe gave kudos to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi for his massive support.
Credit To Isaac Afolabi