Top two finish a perfect wedding gift for Customs' Nkem Akaraiwe?

 

ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - She captained her side to the title at the Zone 3 FIBA Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) qualifiers, but Nigeria Customs' skipper Nkem Akaraiwe admits posting good results in the continental showpiece will be no walk in the park.

She has been on this stage with her former club First Bank but her responsibility runs deep as she captains Customs who are making their first appearance in over two decades. 

Akaraiwe lived up to expectations in the opening clash against Université de Douala (UDLA), bagging the competition's first double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds, while adding 4 assists as many steals and 3 blocks for a 32 ranking in efficiency as Customs won 57-46.

Nkem Akaraiwe

"It was a scrappy win. It was difficult to move the ball but being the opening match we will get better as the competition unfolds. We are a relatively new team with many players making their debut on this level and we consider this a good start as it sets the mood for upcoming matches,"Akaraiwe offered after her stellar performance. 

The captain admits that there is a weight of expectations on her as one the most experienced players to guide the team to victory,  as, at a personal level, she wants to do better than her bronze with First Bank. 

What's more, Akaraiwe who turns 27 on 22 December is preparing for her wedding a day after her birthday (23 December) just four days after the competition in Alexandria, but has to forget all that comes with such a celebration when she steps on the court. Wouldn't a podium place be a perfect gift for the soon-to-be bride? 

Nkem Akaraiwe (12)

"It is a lot to handle. Captaining the team means I am the coach and motivator on the floor and I have to do this while also putting up a show myself and that is difficult," Akaraiwe says adding "I believe that everything worth doing should be done well. When I get on the floor I have to concentrate and play like I have never before. After that, I can pick up whatever other personal burden that I have to deal with." 

The Nigerian champions had a slow start to their opening match, Larisa Mbong getting action underway, giving the varsity side a 4-0 lead but the Customs caught up with 4.49 to play, going ahead 7-6 off a Akaraiwe layup in the low-scoring encounter.

The score read 11-8 with 48 seconds on the clock but UDLA kept pushing with a meticulous defence that saw Customs turn the ball over six times in the quarter as Mytiam Guiolobo stepped on the line making one of her two shots to level the score at 11. 

Oyindamola Abdulazeez drew a foul but could only concert her second throw as the quarter ended 12-11 in Customs' favour.

Customs are making their first continental competition appearance in 26 years

The opening five minutes of the second quarter were equally contested with Guiolobo restoring the lead for UDLA from behind the arc to take the score to 16-14, but Obere Okeke levelled the score from the line with 6.45 to play in the second period.

From a highly competitive to a one-sided clash in an instant, the varsity side seemed hapless after Customs adjusted their defence, shutting down all avenues for the Yvan Cyril Ngoug Manang-led side while going on a 14-point run to take the match to a 30-16 lead with the quarter ending 32-19.

Nkem Akaraiwe (second from right) is seen here alongside renowned Nigerian international players while playing for First Bank  at the 2018 FIBA Africa Champions Cup

With Akaraiwe managing just two points from the line in the third quarter Olaoluwatomi Oluwayemisi Taiwo led the show for Customs, dropping two treys to take her tally to 12 as her side led by 11 at 48-37 heading to the final period. 

The final quarter scores were tied at 9 as Akaraiwe led her side to an 11-point win in a 57-46 scoreline.

FIBA