The Mountain of Fire Ministries Women’s Basketball Club have emerged as the winner of the 2023 Zenith Women’s Basketball League.
They won the Super 4 playoff final against Nigeria Customs 64–60 on Thursday at the indoor sports arena of the National Stadium in Lagos, becoming the winners.
After placing second the previous season and coming close, this is MFM’s first championship.
After a lengthy wait, the season’s intensely competitive finale was a fitting conclusion.
MFM and Nigeria Customs tied for the lead with 15 points apiece in the opening period of the championship.
But MFM built a four-point lead after the second quarter, 32-28, and it seemed like they were coasting when the third quarter finished 50-40 in their favor.
Nigeria Customs managed a comeback in the final period, though, and it finished 58-58.
The Olukoya Girls prevailed, winning the tense match 64 – 60. This event meant that five minutes of time was needed to decide who would win.
Nigerian Customs and Air Warriors advanced from the Savannah Conference to the Super Four in Lagos, while MFM Women Basketball Club and Bayelsa Blue Whales advanced from the Atlantic Conference to the championship game.
Nigerian Customs defied the odds in their conference, winning all of their games to travel to Lagos unblemished, but on Thursday against MFM, they failed to deliver when it counted most.