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By JOE APU
Reigning FIBA Africa Zone Three champions of the Women’s Basketball League Africa, First Bank Elephant Girls will today depart for Cairo, Egypt venue of the Final Round of the continental club championship and arrive on the opening day of the championship.
The two-time African Queens in 2003 and 2009 are returning to the continental stage after a six-years absence during which they faltered in the Nigeria domestic league.
Head Coach of the team, Julie Negedu who leading the charge to First Bank’s resurgence on the continent told this reporter that the team has a lot on its shoulder given that the club are former champions.
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“We know the task before us and are going to Egypt not just as participants but also as contenders for the title,” she stated.
The team after finishing second place in the Zenith Women’s Basketball League behind Dolphins had added some changes to the team as they headed to Abidjan for the Zonal Qualifiers where they came out tops with a 3-0 record.
As they head to Cairo, they have made an addition of two players – one from USA and the other from Mali. The team will compete with 11 other teams from around Africa to see who emerges the new champion of African women’s club basketball. The teams are Participating teams host Al Alhy (EGY), Sporting Clube Luanda (ANG), C.N.S.S (COD), F.A.P (CMR), K.P.A (KEN), Ferroviario Maputo (MOZ), REG BBC (RWA), A.P.R (RWA), AS Ville de Dakar (SEN), Friend’s Basketball Association (CIV) and Bravehearts BBC (MLW).
With the First Bank team traveling today, they will arrive the venue late and will play on Friday with resting or feeling the court.
