The MFM Women’s Basketball Club have etched their names in Nigerian basketball history, winning the 2023 Zenith Women’s Basketball League title for the first time. In a dramatic and hard-fought final, the Lagos-based team edged out Nigeria Customs 64–60 after overtime at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.
The victory is a landmark achievement for MFM, who came agonizingly close last season but had to settle for second place.
A Final Worthy of the Stage
The championship decider was a tense and electrifying encounter, fitting for a season that had seen months of competitive play following a long hiatus.
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First Quarter: Both sides started on equal footing, ending the first quarter tied at 15–15, signaling what would be a fiercely contested battle.
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Second Quarter: MFM edged ahead, building a narrow four-point lead to close the half at 32–28.
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Third Quarter: Momentum stayed with the Olukoya Girls as they widened the gap, leading 50–40 by the end of the third quarter.
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Final Quarter Drama: Nigeria Customs staged a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter, levelling the game at 58–58, and forcing the contest into overtime.
Overtime Thriller
In the five-minute overtime period, MFM maintained their composure and held off Nigeria Customs to secure a 64–60 win, sending their fans into jubilation. The nail-biting finish capped off what had been a competitive and unpredictable season.
Path to the Super 4 Showdown
To reach the final, MFM and Bayelsa Blue Whales qualified from the Atlantic Conference, while Nigeria Customs and Air Warriors advanced from the Savannah Conference.
Nigeria Customs had been tipped as favourites after dominating their conference with an unbeaten record. However, they faltered at the final hurdle, falling to an MFM side driven by hunger and determination.
A New Era for MFM Women’s Basketball
The triumph signals a shift in Nigeria’s women’s basketball hierarchy and a major milestone for MFM, who have now officially joined the league of champions.
With this maiden title, the team will no doubt set their sights on continental glory and further domestic dominance in seasons to come.
