AWBL Qualifiers: MFM, First Bank Battle Four Rivals For Two Tickets To Cairo
Nigeria’s MFM Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club will battle four other teams for two tickets to the final round of the 2026 African Women’s Basketball League (AWBL) when the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers begin in Monrovia, Liberia, on November 2.
The six-team competition, scheduled to run until November 9 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Indoor Gymnasium in Paynesville, will determine the two clubs that advance to the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, from December 11 to 19.
MFM and First Bank will face stiff opposition from defending zonal champions Friends of Basketball Association (FBA) of Côte d’Ivoire, Energie Basketball Club of Benin Republic and Liberia’s two representatives, national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club and league runners-up Flames Basketball Club.
The qualifiers will also provide another opportunity for MFM and First Bank to renew their domestic rivalry, barely weeks after their dramatic showdown in the final of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League.
MFM defeated First Bank 66–64 in a closely contested final at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium to emerge Nigerian champions and secure bragging rights ahead of their continental campaign.
However, both Nigerian clubs will have to contend with formidable opposition, particularly FBA, who will arrive in Monrovia determined to defend their Zone 3 title.
Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou will also be seeking a return to the continental finals, while D’Rockers and Flames will hope to exploit home advantage to challenge for the two qualification tickets.
The participation of MFM and First Bank was made possible following an intervention by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), after the late conclusion of the Nigerian women’s basketball league threatened their involvement.
FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association subsequently extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule to accommodate the Nigerian representatives.
