By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 14, 2025

Rivers Hoopers closed out their 2024 Basketball Africa League Kalahari Conference campaign with a dominant 79–59 win over winless Stade Malien on Sunday.

Having scored just 32 points across the first four games, the Hoopers’ reserves exploded for 33 points in Rabat, accounting for 41.8 percent of the team’s total. The win elevated Rivers Hoopers to a 4–2 record, earning them second place in the group and a return to the BAL Playoffs in June in Pretoria, South Africa.

The final game, which saw Kelvin Amayo rested after averaging 35.3 minutes per game over five appearances, offered the likes of Abel Offia, Micheal Afuwape, Onyebuchi Nwaiwu, and Ifeanyi Koko Jr. extended minutes, and they delivered.

Offia, whose playing time has averaged just 8.8 minutes this season, finished the group stage with a 100 percent free throw record and chipped in offensively with timely buckets. Afuwape contributed with 4.8 points per game and showed his playmaking ability with an average of 2.2 assists. Nwaiwu added muscle on the boards, averaging 2.8 rebounds, while Koko Jr. posted a solid 23.1 percent shooting from three-point range.

The win over Stade Malien marked Rivers Hoopers’ second victory against the Malian side in the group stage, having defeated them 81–60 in the opener. The 20-point margin was Hoopers’ most comfortable win of the campaign, showing the growing cohesion in Ogoh Odaudu’s side.

Despite two losses to unbeaten Al Ittihad (94–77, 100–80), Hoopers bounced back to claim back-to-back victories over FUS Rabat (88–82, 79–71), and now Stade Malien. Their point differential across six games stood at +18, the second-best in the conference.

Statistically, Madut Akec remains the standout performer for the Nigerian champions, averaging 17.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and an efficient 56.7 percent from three-point range. Putney followed with 13.5 points per game and a strong inside presence with 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while centre Peter Olisemeka averaged a team-high 11 rebounds per game.

Rivers Hoopers will now turn their focus to the playoffs, which will take place from 6–14 June in Pretoria, South Africa, the first time the BAL postseason will be held in the country. The Nigerian side will be hoping to better their third-place finish in 2024 by building on the depth and balance on display in Rabat.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 14, 2025

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