LOME (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2016) - Kano Pillars’ Abubakar Usman was at his very best as he led his team outscoring local rivals Customs 80-60 on Wednesday to remain undefeated in the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Zone 3 Qualifiers in Lome, Togo. 

The Nigerian international scored 22 of his 25 points in the first half as the Nigerian champions beat Customs to increase their record to 3-0.

The team led by Sani Ahmed dominated all four quarters 24-16, 20-18, 19-15 and 17-11 on their way to the comfortable win over their Nigerian counterparts who suffered their second loss of the championship.

Ahmed said after the game that most people thought the game was easy as the score line suggested. "Customs played a good game and we are glad we won and are through to the finals in Egypt".

On the other hand Customs assistant coach Mohammed Abba admitted his disappointment in the loss but is still optimistic his team will qualify.
"We are disappointed by the loss but all hopes are not lost'' Abba said.

Solomon Ajegbeyi and Chibuzor Njoku were the only Customs player to hit double digits with 17 and 11 points respectively in their losing effort.

Customs will face AS Nigelec of Niger in their last game of the qualifiers, while Kano Pillars take on ASPAC of Benin Republic.

Earlier in the day, Benin Republic's Champions ELAN Sportive - Porto Novo cruised to their second victory with a 55-41 points win over AS Nigelec of Niger.

The Nigerien side started out with a bang scoring the first 2 baskets for a 4-0 lead but Elan Sportif replied with a force that could not be stopped for the remainder of the 40minutes of the action winning all quarters (51-8), (26-14), (33-39) and (41-55) on their way to the 14 points victory.

Aurelius Kouko, the head Coach of ELAN Sportive,said he is still not satisfied with his team's performance despite the win.

ELAN Sportif's Joel Gnimassou led the floor with 12 points, while Soulemane Chabi and Eugene M'Po added 10 apiece.

While ELAN are imagining the opportunity before them to pick a ticket, same is not the case for ASPAC who suffered their second defeat in the hands of AS Modele that won 66-53 points.

FIBA