Hoopers coach Odaudu wary of ‘angry’ Monastir

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By: Johnny Edward

Five-time Nigerian champions, Rivers Hoopers, will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten record at the ongoing 2024 Basketball Africa League when they take on US Monastir in Tuesday’s (today) encounter at the Dakar Arena, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Hoopers secured their second straight win in the tournament after beating Armée Patriotique Rwandaise 86-82 on Sunday will hope to pile more misery on the Tunisian side who have suffered consecutive losses.

According to Hoopers coach, Ogo Odaudu, the KingsMen won’t underrate US Monastir as they bid to avenge the 99-70 loss they suffered in the hands of the Tunisians at the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2021.

“Its a great feeling that we won back to back games at the BAL, becoming the first Nigerian team to do so and we are excited at how we are playing,”Odaudu told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“We will be playing against an angry team in US Monastir and they will want to avoid losing a third straight time but we on our part will be out to maintain our winning form and also avenge the loss we suffered to them at the inaugural edition in 2021.

“We hope to get our own revenge on Tuesday (today). They are a very good team with individually brilliant players but I think collectively they are not that strong.”

Meanwhile, Devine Eke, who came up with another solid performance against Armée Patriotique Rwandaise says he prefers to keep his feet on the ground as there’s a long road to go until the last day of the conference on Sunday, May 12.

Eke finished with 19 points and a game-high eight rebounds against Armée Patriotique Rwandaise.

“The job is not done yet. We are going to celebrate this one, recover and be back at it again,” he said

The other group fixture will see AS Douanes will go up against APR.