As the Rivers Hoopers prepare for their toughest test yet in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) against unbeaten Al-Ittihad on Tuesday, team captain Victor Anthony Koko has set the tone for what’s at stake — nothing short of championship glory.
The Nigerian champions have lit up the Kalahari Conference with back-to-back wins, including a spirited 88-82 victory over home favorites FUS Rabat, and now sit at the top of the group. But according to Koko, the job is only just beginning.
“I give kudos to the players because it wasn’t easy — from the practice down to this stage getting two games done already,” Koko said ahead of the highly anticipated clash in Rabat.
“Everybody’s mindset is on it. We want to finish more than well with the last season. We don’t want to come third. We don’t want to come fourth.”
“Our aim is to win the year, and it’s very possible for us. So the momentum that they are putting on now for me is really good. I give them 100 percent kudos.”
Their clash against Al-Ittihad, also unbeaten in the group, will be a decisive one in determining who finishes top of the table and gains vital seeding for the knockout phase.
‘We’re Just Getting Started’ — Coach Odaudu Still Wants More
Rivers Hoopers
Head Coach of the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club, Ogoh Odaudu. (Photo by Julien Bacot/NBAE via Getty Images)
Head coach Ogoh Odaudu acknowledged that while the wins have been important, the Hoopers are still growing into their identity.
“What happened in the first quarter was just the jitters,” he admitted after the FUS Rabat win.
“It was a bit scrappy, but it’s a good thing that we got our acts together and did what we’re supposed to do.”
Despite the victory, Odaudu believes there’s a higher level the team can still reach.
“We are not even playing at the level that we want to play right now. We could have done better,” he said.
“But all in all, we’re happy that we got the win, made the necessary adjustments, and came out with the win.”
“At the end of the third quarter, when we were talking about the fourth quarter, the only word I was saying to them was ‘discipline, discipline,’” Odaudu revealed.
“We just simply took care of the ball and had fun on offense.”
Kelvin Amayo, one of the standout performers for the Hoopers, echoed the belief that the squad is only scratching the surface of their potential.
“I don’t think it was nervousness,” he said, referring to their second-half wobble against FUS Rabat.
“It was a game of runs, and we came in, played very hard, took the lead, and got the win — big win.”
The guard highlighted the team’s mental strength and resilience as their greatest assets.
“Every time I’m in this competition, I show heart to whoever I’m with. So we play hard, and I’m happy to be a part of this again.”
Looking ahead to the Al-Ittihad showdown, Amayo added: “I think we just need to hydrate and enjoy these two wins and be in good preparation for the next one. Just keep playing hard.”
Tip-off is scheduled for 5 PM local time in Rabat, where the Rivers Hoopers will look to extend their perfect run and take a giant step toward BAL glory, driven by belief, discipline, and the ambition to make Nigerian basketball history.
(Brila)
