By Amaechi Agbo
Following one week of intense battle among 40 Basketball Academies teams in Abuja, 8 Boys’ teams and 8 girls’ teams are now in the knockout stage of the ongoing 2026 ABA league at the Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Basketball Courts, Abuja.
After 11 matches in Group A, Oneball Boys topped the table with 21 points, having won 10 matches. TNT Boys with the same matches won, and same points followed, while Love Boys and Suleja Bulldogs occupied third and fourth positions. In group B, Full Force Boys led, followed by Eco Titans, Queens Court Boys and Dominion.
In the girls’ league A table, Oneball Girls occupied the first position, while TNT, Love and Suleja followed. In group B, Queens Court Girls, Dominion, Smarth and Plastic made it to the next round.
Meanwhile, actions resume on Monday, following 2 days of rest.
In the pairing for Quarter final games, Suleja Bulldogs Boys will welcome Gillalli Academy at Court 1 while the game between Full Force against Dominion will hold at Court 2.
TNT and Gwarimpa Hawks will lock horns at court 3 as Eco Titans engage Queens Court Boys in the last quarter finals boys games. In the girls’ game, Smarth Academy will host Dominion in Court 2, while Queens Academy battles Plastic Academy in court 1. Oneball face Suleja Divers in court 3 as TNT slug it out against Love Academy in another match.
An elated ABA head of technical officials, Coach Adeka Daudu, said the league so far has showcased hidden talents and surpasses everyone’s expectations. He commended players and their coaches for their exemplary behavior during the week-long competition. He, however, urged Abuja residents to come and give the young players necessary support as they display skills, energy, determination, and competitive spirit.
While commending the participating Academies, President and Founder Amateur Basketball Academies, DC Aliyu Lucky Abubakar reminded them that talent alone does not guarantee success. According to him, talent must be identified early, guided properly, developed progressively, and exposed to the right competitive environment. He assured that the success of this league will spur ABA to do more.
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