By Oluwole Francis
Secretary of Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku said five days notice is not enough to prepare for Basketball final 8 Competition.
Onikeku disclosed this after his team, the Nigeria Custom match against Kano Pillars at the package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Nigeria Custom lost to Kano Pillars 68-83 in their second match in the ongoing super eight Men’s Premier Basketball League.
Nigeria Custom defeat Kwara Falcons 76-73 in their first match on Friday.
This match supposed to be the second match for Kano Pillars but due to the absence bod Lagos Islanders, Kano Pillars walk over them in the first match on Friday.
He said the short notice given to everybody affected the team, we did not have along time camp, we were waiting for them to notify us so can we can start preparation.
“We did not have enough time to practice , our won our first match against Kwara Falcons on Friday, I believe we should be in the semi final, we will play better in our next match.
“Kano Pillars have been Champion several time, we lost so many throws which affected the game,
“The organization will have been better if they have given us at least two weeks we would have prepare better, we did not have one practice session.
” Our first training session was our first game against Kwara Falcons,” he said.
He added if they qualified for Basketball Africa League (BAL) they will represent and make the country proud.
The coach of Nigeria Custom said , Scott Many said in spite the lost, their game ,his players played a better game compare to their first match against Kwara Falcons.
“It was a good match, my team lost a better side because, they were put at the disadvantage,.
“We are hoping that Kano Pillars will beat Kwara Falcons so that we will go to the semi final, “he said
On his part the coach of Kano Pillars, Sani Ahmed said he was impressed with the performance of the team.
He said said he has the best set of players in his team couple with well experience players in his team.
“I’m not expecting anything else than to win all our games which is our target,” he said.
Kwara Falcons walk over Lagos Islanders in the second match, while Rivers Hoopers beat Police Batons 64-48 in the third match.
The Atlantic Conference teams are: Rivers Hoppers, Kwara Falcons Lagos Islander and Police Batons.
Savannah Conference team are Kano Pillars,
Gombe Bulls, Nigeria Customs and Benue Braves.
The winner of the League will represent Nigeria at the 2021 Basketball Africa League (BAL) scheduled to hold later in the year.