CAIRO (Egypt)- "Whoever wants it more gets it" was Coach Juliana Negedu's gospel to two-time African champions First Bank as they took on Cameroon's FAP in one of the closest fights of the 2025 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA).
Shooting guard, Wandoo Marvis Hembam, who came off the bench to play just under 31 minutes, took the words to heart, fighting to pull the returnees to a 58-52 victory, in a game decided in the final two minutes after 13 lead changes.
Theresa Anya tied the score at 52 from deep with just over two minutes to play, Hembam assisting her jump shot with 1:59 to play to restore the Nigerian side's lead at 54-52.
Negedu's charges got back from a timeout fighting hard, Hembam getting the ball from Abigail Isaac to hammer down a three, her third of seven, that extended her side's advantage to five (57-52), effectively sealing the victory as FAP's attempts to catch up fell throw.
The teenage sensation, who is playing in her second WBLA after debuting with Nigeria's MFM last year at just 18, finished as the side's top scorer with 12, the only player to hit double digits, shooting 4-for-10 from the field, including three from deep, while adding 5 assists and two rebounds.
Tobiloba Ogedengbe led the side's defense, pulling down 10 rebounds, two more than Marvellous Chizi Abel, while adding nine points in a game the Nigerians struggled on the boards (54-46).
The victory leaves the Nigerians, returning after a six-year absence, third in Group B with hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages hanging in the balance.
"We did not have the best of starts but it ended well and we are grateful. We struggled on defense initially but made adjustments, relying on experience we have gained in other continental competitions and the Nigerian passion. We embodied the spirit of an Elephant as our name suggests. We have a strong and bold spirit and we don't settle for less.
She continued, "We brought that Elephant spirit and kept fighting, locked in and pushed for this win. It is a victory that boosts our spirits and if thee chance comes we will fight with passion to go further in the competition," the shooting guard, Hembam, told FIBA.Basketball.
FIBA