The final game was dubbed `The Epic Final` as people expected a showdown between the two team. Niger State College of Education has had a very impressive performance setting championship records with every game while Ahmadu Bello University prided themselves as the best university basketball team in Africa.
In the pre-game interview with ABU`s Coach Emmanuel Shibi, he confirmed their readiness to win the championship; `It has been a tradition, basketball in African universities belong to ABU. Look at our records from time, there is no time we go Africa university games or NUGA games that we don`t come back with the title`
COE Minna started the game well leading in the first three quarters. The ABU side were able to cut the 7 point deficit at the end of the second quarter to just 2 points at the end of the third and in the last quarter, they turned things around to win the championship for the first time. ABU outscored and out rebounded COE Minna to win the game ended 88 - 79.
ABU Zaria`s victory might have come as a surprised to some spectators as since ABU did not even make it past the group stage last year and lost one of the group games compared to COE Minna who won all games prior to the finals. COE Minna are now the only team in the history of the championship to win all games, get to the finals and lose the finals - another record, although one they will not be happy about.
Expressing his disappointment over the loss, COE Minna`s coach said; `Our goal was to win the trophy. From the results of all games we played to the finals, you can tell that we came to win the trophy. But it is sad that we could not win for the second. I guess it is how God wants it`
`We thank God that we made it to the finals. Not every one makes it to the finals of such tournament` he added
Nelly on 2017-01-24 20:15:47
Not at this point, very sad on the part of coe minna ,this is where technicality come to play after beating all team 100+lesson to be learnt by every coach your beach is very important, games like this are won from the beach.we need to upgrade our pattern play.
nice on 2017-01-22 19:04:09
#moregrace