Fearless and undaunted, the Rivers Hoopers have built a reputation for upsetting hosts and more high-profile teams, and now their sights are firmly set on making an even deeper run in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season.
The Nigerian champions continued their giant-slaying tradition by defeating hosts FUS Rabat twice this season in front of passionate Moroccan crowds. For the Hoopers, quieting home arenas is nothing new.
READ ALSO: Rivers Hoopers Brave the Odds to Score a Double Over Host FUS Rabat
During their remarkable 2024 Sahara Conference campaign, the Port Harcourt-based club stunned hosts AS Douanes on opening day and went on to defeat 2021 BAL champions US Monastir twice in three meetings — including a memorable 92-88 quarterfinal victory. Their spirited run ended with a third-place finish, making them the first Nigerian team to ever stand on the BAL podium.
So what’s behind their rise?
“It’s about the Nigerian mentality. The fighting spirit that we have in Nigeria,” said head coach Ogoh Odaudu, now in his third BAL season with the team. “We’re fighters, we never let anything go easy, and that’s the situation we’re in. We always go all the way, no matter the home crowd.” Odaudu told BAL official website.
Their recent matchup on Game Day 4 (April 10) against FUS Rabat was touted as the Hoopers’ toughest challenge yet in this conference. The Moroccan champions, facing a must-win scenario, enjoyed strong home support. But the crowd’s energy only fueled the visitors.
FUS Rabat led for over 31 minutes, but the Hoopers remained composed. With 4:47 left in regulation, Kelvin Amayo tied the game at 64-64. A 4-1 run followed, giving the Nigerian side a 68-65 edge that they would not relinquish.
“Even when we thought it was over, we didn’t give up. We knew we would come back, and we finished the job,” Odaudu said after the game.
The 2024 BAL Coach of the Year also reflected on a narrow 56-54 loss to AS Douanes in last season’s Sahara Conference, which ended on a buzzer-beater.
“I remember the buzzer-beater. It was the same environment,” Odaudu recalled.
However, he drew a distinction between the two host crowds.
“The crowd in Morocco is more loyal than the crowd in Dakar. Even when their team is down, they are solidly behind them. I loved the atmosphere. Unfortunately, this is basketball,” he added.
The Rivers Hoopers now turn their focus to Stade Malien, whom they face on Saturday, as they continue their push toward the next round of the 2025 BAL season.
