First Bank Basketball Club secured their first Group Stage win with a 58–52 triumph over F.A.P Women in the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) at the Prince Abdallah Al Faisal Sports Hall in Egypt on Tuesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The victory was historic for coach Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu’s side, marking First Bank’s first-ever win in the WBLA era and the first group stage victory for a Nigerian team at the competition since 2023, while also ending the Elephant Girls’ losing streak.
First Bank struggled in the early stages, as F.A.P Women started strongly, edging the Nigerians in the first (14–13) and third (14–12) quarters. The tide turned in the fourth, however, with First Bank dominating 20–12 to secure the win. The Nigerians also outshone F.A.P in points off turnovers (20–11) and bench scoring (28–14). Shooting guard Wandoo Marvis Hembam sparked her team, finishing as the only player in double figures with 10 points, including three three-pointers from 4-of-10 shooting, while also contributing five assists and two rebounds.
Tobiloba Ogedengbe added nine points and anchored the team’s defence, grabbing 10 rebounds, despite Nigeria being out-rebounded 54–46. Theresa Anya also contributed eight points, helping her side maintain composure in the closing stages.
“We did not have the best of starts, but it ended well, and we are grateful. We struggled on defence initially, but made adjustments, relying on experience 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,” Hembam said after the game.
“It is a victory that boosts our spirits, and if the opportunity arises, we will fight with passion to go further in the competition.”
The win leaves First Bank third in Group B, with their hopes of reaching the knockout stages still uncertain.
