LOME (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2016) - Everything is set and ready to go for the FIBA Africa Champions Cup (ACC) 2016 Zone 3 Qualifiers billed for the Stade Eyadema du Togo from 21-30 October.

Top among the teams aiming to book a ticket for the final phase of the African continent's flagship clubs competition - due to take place in Cairo, Egypt in December - are regional champions Kano Pillars of Nigeria who have vowed to retain the trophy they won last year in Cotonou, Benin.

However, they will face an uphill task against Benin Republic champions Elan Sportif and ASPAC Basketball Club that is eager to make a return to the big stage after they last appeared in the ACC in Kigali back in 2010.

That is not all that Kano Pillars will have to bother about as Togolese champions AS Modele will join forces with Customs Braves of Ghana, NIGELEC of Niger Republic as well as Nigeria Customs that is making a debut at the Zonal play-off.

With the draw set for Friday, the teams would be hoping for a favourable pairing that would guarantee a smooth passage for the trip to Egypt.

No doubt that basketball fans in Lome will throng the venue to catch a glimpse of what is sure to arrest their attention with thrilling action on Saturday.

FIBA