LAGOS (FIBA Champions Cup for Women 2018) – Nigeria champions First Bank Basketball have set high goals for this year's FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup (ACCW) in Maputo, Mozambique.

After claiming two third-place finishes in as many years, the Nigerians aim to win their first ACCW title for the first time since 2009. 

The "Elephant Girls" as they are fondly called aim to replicate the same impact the Nigerian women national team made at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife, Spain, where they reached the Quarter-Final for the first time by any African country.

First Bank Basketball head coach Peter Ahmedu told FIBA.basketball after winning the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Cotonou, Benin Republic, that his side is ready to make the desired impact in the Final Round to take place in Maputo Mozambique, from November 16-25.

 
"Like every other team that has qualified for the Final Round, First Bank is eligible to win the championship. We’re ready and hope to do our very best, given our previous experiences at this level and the players we have.”

On the First Bank roster are five players from the record-making Nigeria women team to the World Cup held in Spain namely Akashili Nkechi, Akaraiwe Nkem, Sarah Ogoke, Aisha Mohammed and Cecilia Okoye.

In fact, all five FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 members are not new to the ACCW and they intend to put their wealth of experience to play.

First Bank guard, Akashili who was a member of the third-place finish last term insisted that she and her teammates are determined to make a difference.

She said: "We’re not worried about our opponents but are just interested in giving our best. It is our plan to take it one game after the other and plan that things turn positive for us." 

FIBA