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Joe Apu
Tunisian giants, Etoile Sportive de Rades and Nigeria’s Civil Defenders on Sunday became the seventh and eight teams to sail through the FIBA Africa Basketball League Elite 8.
Rades qualified, recording three wins for 6 points, while Civil Defenders of Nigeria recorded two wins out of three games to sail through.
While Rades booked their ticket to the Elite 8 with a 96-80 points win over Defenders on Saturday, the vice champions of the FIBA Africa zone 3 qualifiers for this championship had to wait on the final day to survive host in a keenly contested match that saw Elan Sportif losing 62-58 (19- 11,14- 18,17- 11,12- 18).
Defenders had to rely on the experience of veteran Ocheibi Okpe, who led the floor with a double double of 16 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists, followed by Garba Umar’s 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists while Ibe Abuchi Agu scored 3 points and had 6 rebounds to help his side to victory.
Elan Sportif de Porto Novo on the other hand had Vivien Tossou to thank for his efforts in taking his side to a near victory with 11points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist and their Nigerian import John Oweh 9 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists.
