The 2015 Atlantic Conference winners of National Men Division One Basketball League, Niger Potters, who have also booked a return to the DSTV League next season have revealed they will prove when the season jump ball that their qualification was no fluke. Niger Potters Thursday afternoon officially picked one of the two tickets available after beating APA Flames 89-80 to seal a place in the elite league. Potters needed the victory after suffering a shock defeat to Yobe Desert Warriors 77-76 points Wednesday making the clash against APA Flames of Otukpo a must win. The lshaq Yayaya coached team won the first quarter 18-17, lost second quarter 16-22, won third quarter 22-18 and sealed the last quarter with 33-23 points.
Potters’ Steve lead his team’s scoring chart with 24 points with 11 and 10 points contributions respectively from Omokudu and Suleman to grab the needed win while APA Flames’ 34 points score from Haruna, 17 from Abu 14 and 11 from Sunday and Ujah were not enough to stop Potters.
An elated lshaq Yahaya, coach of Niger Potters after the win said they are happy to be back into the elite league fold stating that they are returning to the top flight league to make serious statement. “We are happy that at last Potters will be seen again playing top flight basketball. We are going to the Premier League to make a statement. But in terms of the rigours of the top flight league, we will take every game as they come. On my part l shall report back to the management that we have qualified so that they will be the ones to determine if we need to add more players but l believe every player has the potential to improve and be in the team. With proper psyching, training and motivation they can all excel in the DSTV league,” he said.
