Defending Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) league champions Kano Pillars have been withdrawn from the 2014 Fiba Africa Champions Cup for Men (ACCM) after it failed to honour its wild-card ticket.
Pillars were awarded a wild-card by the continental basketball governing body after failing to emerge from the Fiba Africa Zone-3 qualification round. They have now forfeited the tournament following their inability to process funds in time for departureto Tunis, host city for the 29th edition of the competition.
it's official : Kano Pillars will not play champions cup for men #tunis2014 #withdraw @BballNaija @NigeriaBasket
— FIBA AFRICA (@FIBAAFRICA) December 12, 2014
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s sole representative Mark Mentors opened their maiden FIBA ACCM campaign with a hard-fought win over Abidjan Basketball Club (Cote d’Ivoire) on Thursday but lost to Primo Agusto (Angola) on the second day of the championship.
Mentors beat ABC 68-65 on Day 1 but lost 74-88 to Primo Augusto on Friday.
Mentors will look to return to winning ways against home favourites Étoile Sportive de Radès on Saturday.
Day 2 Results
Malabo Kings (Equatorial Guinea) – Kano Pillars (Nigeria) Walk-Over
Primo Agusto (Angola) 88 – Mark Mentors Basketball Club (Nigeria) 74
Basket Club Mayotte 56 – Libolo (Angola) 89
Abidjan Basket Club (Côte d’Ivoire) 70 – Étoile Sportive de Radès 72
Club Africain 68 – Sporting Alexandrie (Egypt) 66
Union Sportive Monastirienne 68 – Basket Club Mazembe (Congo) 54
