Rivers Hoopers have been drawn against two North African teams at the inaugural edition of the FIBA Africa Basketball League (FIBA ABL), reports Completesports.com.
In a draw ceremony held at the Hotel Pullman, Abidjan, Rivers Hoopers were drawn in Group A along with the continental champions, AS Sale of Morocco; JS Kairouan (Tunisia) and S.L.A.C (Guinea).
Nigeria’s other representative in the 2019 FIBA ABL, Civil Defenders will also face another opponent from North Africa, ES Rades of Tunisia, Zone 3 bronze winners – Elan Sportif (Benin) and BC Terreur (DR Congo) in group B.
Group C houses Al Ahly, Primeiro De Agosto from Angola, Ferroviaro Beira of Mozambique and Rwanda’s R.E.G BBC.
Also Read: Hoopers Beat Elan 71-63, Qualify For Inaugural FIBA Afro League
Petro de Luanda of Angola, Smouha of Egypt, ASB Mazembe from DR Congo and Madagascar’s C.O.S.P.N occupy the FIBA ABL Group D.
The games will be played in a round robin format from February 8 to March 10 across different African cities.
The 2019 FIBA ABL Window 1 will be played between February 8-10, Window 2 (February 15-17), Window 3 (March 1-3), while Window 4 will hold from March 8-10.
Top two teams from each group will advance to the elite eight, where clubs will be divided into four groups of two teams each played from March 22 to April 14 in a home and away format.
The winners of the four groups will advance to the finals to hold from May 3 to 5.
Full Draw
Group A:
AS Sale (Morocco), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), JS Kairouan (Tunisia) and S.L.A.C (Guinea).
Group B:
ES Rades (Tunisia), Civil Defenders (Nigeria), Elan Sportif (Benin), BC Terreur (DR Congo).
Group C:
Al Ahly (Egypt), Primeiro De Agosto (Angola) and Ferroviaro Beira (Mozambique) and R.E.G BBC (Rwanda)
Group D: Petro de Luanda (Angola), Smouha (Egypt), ASB Mazembe (DR Congo) and C.O.S.P.N (Madagascar)
By Johnny Edward
