Gboko City Chiefs and Rivers Hoopers recorded opening wins at the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final 4 (NPBLFinal4) in Port Harcourt on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Gboko City Chiefs secured revenge over defending champions Maktown Flyers, edging them 74–73 in a thrilling opening game at the Basketball Stadium, Niger Street, Port Harcourt. The Chiefs had lost to Maktown Flyers in the Final 8 but turned the tables to begin their Final 4 campaign with a win.
Hosts Rivers Hoopers also made a winning start, defeating Final 4 debutants Aso Sky Hawks 74–60. The six-time champions held off the Sky Hawks’ comeback attempts to secure victory on home court.
The round-robin tournament, which runs from September 20–21, will determine the 2026 NPBL champions and Nigeria’s representative in the 2027 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Maktown Flyers will face Aso Sky Hawks on Monday, September 21, while Gboko City Chiefs will take on Rivers Hoopers.
Image: PHATILL
