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PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – Rivers Hoopers captain Victor Koko has made a firm appeal to his teammates, insisting that the six-time Nigerian champions must redeem themselves and reclaim the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) title at the upcoming 2026 Final Four on home soil.
The season-ending round robin was originally scheduled for early this month but was rescheduled to September 20-22 after a venue conflict at the Old Port Harcourt Township basketball stadium forced the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to postpone the dates.
For Koko, the upcoming NPBL finals evoke the bitter taste of last November’s heartbreaking defeat in the championship decider.
The KingsMen missed out on a ‘triple-peat’ after a shocking 74-72 defeat to Lagos Legends in the dying seconds of the season finale, which not only dashed hopes of a treble, but cost Hoopers Nigeria their only qualification spot for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
“Every player on this team understands the gravity of what lies ahead and the phase we are entering,” Koko said before tip-off of the tournament. “I keep telling the team that if we win, we will all go home and celebrate. Everyone knows what it means to win and Nigeria doesn’t celebrate second place.”
Reflecting on last season’s second-place finish, Koko stressed that the pain of not making it to 2025 remains a powerful motivator in the Hoopers’ locker room.
“When we came second last season, nobody celebrated us. We don’t celebrate silver. What we want to hear, what we want written on those flyers on the wall, is ‘we are champions,'” Koko said. “Every player wants to be part of this legacy. Nobody wants a repeat of what happened last time and I believe we won’t let it happen again.”
The Hoopers enter the Final Four as the top seed after putting together a 6-1 run in the postseason playoffs earlier this month, edging the defending champion Maktown Flyers on points difference.
Under coach Ogoh Odaudu, the club strengthened its roster with high-profile additions during the season, including veteran Tunisian point guard Omar Abada, former BAL defender Peter Olisemeka, forward Raphael Putney and Greek giant Nikolaos Okekuoyen.
Despite entering the final stretch as the top seed, Koko stressed that credentials must be supported by on-court execution.
“This team was built to win championships, to put the Rivers Hoopers back on the African map,” Koko added. “But we won’t become champions just by talking about it. We have to be champions on the pitch and show people who we are.”
“I know it will be tough, but I believe in my heart that we have the strength to overcome any team that puts themselves in front of us,” Koko said. “We will emerge victorious and this time our fans will celebrate with us.”
