The 2024 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball National Final 8 kicked off in Lagos on Thursday, with Customs Basketball Club of Abuja defeating Dolphins Basketball Club of Lagos by a score of 74-62.

The Dolphins initially took control of the game, ending the first quarter with a narrow 21-20 lead, thanks to impressive performances from their players. However, Customs responded strongly in the second quarter, dominating ball play and winning that period 20-17 to take a 40-38 advantage into halftime.

Forward Nkem Akaraiwe was a standout performer for Customs, creating significant challenges for the dolphins with her relentless play in the paint. Her aggressive style and smart basketball helped Customs build a 10-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

Despite the Dolphins’ energetic efforts and strong teamwork, Customs maintained their lead to secure the victory.

Customs’ Head Coach, Abdulraman Mohammed, expressed his satisfaction with the result, particularly against a formidable opponent. He noted the importance of taking each match one at a time, emphasizing that it was too early to focus on winning the championship but confident in his team’s ability to reach the finals.

Dolphins’ Head Coach, Akindele Peters, acknowledged his team’s lapses in concentration during crucial moments and expressed optimism about bouncing back in their next game.