By Victor Kanayo
Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers completed their adventure at the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) with a dominant 23-point blowout of South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers to clinch third place, securing Nigeria’s first ever podium finish at the BAL with an 80-57 victory.
The KingsMen, who enjoyed a remarkable run which saw them emerge champions of the BAL Season Four Sahara Conference, went into the playoffs with a target of finishing on the podium and were presented with one last opportunity to achieve that goal as they squared up to the wounded Cape Town Tigers in the battle for third place.
The Nigerian side started their journey in the Playoff with a win over the former champion US Monastir to reach the semi-final.
They suffered a narrow defeat to Al Ahly of Libya in the semi-final they were drawn against Cape Town Tigers in the bronze medal game.
Playing at the BK Arena, Hoopers started the game strongly and they were comfortably led 43-29 by halftime.
They dominated the 3rd quarter before wrapping up the game 80-57 to finish in 3rd position and clinch the bronze medal.
