Union Bank Give Up On Super 8

After two successive narrow defeats to their opponents, Lagos Islanders and Comets of Lagos, coach of Union Bank club of Lagos, Ayinla Johnson has given up hope of qualifying for the next stage of the DSTV-sponsored Nigeria basketball league, popularly known as the Super 8.

This disclosure was made at the weekend by the newly appointed head coach of the national U-18 Men’s team while talking to our reporter on Union Bank’s chance of being part of the four teams from the Atlantic conference for the Super 8.

Ayinla said: “We are no longer competing for the Super 8, but to ensure that we keep our team together for next season.This is an ample opportunity for the boys to understand themselves now that there is no more pressure on them.”

Reacting to why they failed to match or surpass their second place finished in the domestic league last season, a feat that earned them a ticket to campaign at the continental level, the former national team capain opined that: “We have been working with a young and vastly inexperience set of players this season, after most of our matured players were lured out with money by other teams at the beginning of this season.

“We’re not bothered as we‘ve decided to stick with this team and nurtured them to stardom just like we did for those that left us.Unfortunately, they only got six months contract at their new teams while we paid our young players complete 12 months salary.”

—Bamidele Olowosagba