AWVCC: Al Ahly Battle CF Carthage As Zamalek Tackle Kenya’s Pipeline Club In Semifinals

Taraba State’s men’s and women’s teams clinched the ultimate titles at the BetKing 3×3 National Wheelchair Basketball Championship, which concluded yesterday at the Indoor Sports Hall in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The high-octane finale left spectators thrilled as Team Taraba dominated both the men’s and women’s categories, showcasing extraordinary resilience and talent. Oyo and Delta followed in the men’s rankings, while Delta and Lagos completed the podium in the women’s division.

“At BetKing, we believe that sports should be accessible to all. We are particularly proud to support para-athletes who continue to inspire us with their strength and determination,” said Gossy Ukanwoke, Managing Director of BetKing.

In the Mixed Doubles, Team Lagos stunned fans with their unity and skill to take home gold, ending Taraba’s streak, who settled for silver. Oyo wrapped up with a commendable third-place finish.

This year’s tournament featured teams from across all zones of the country, a testament to the growing appeal and competitive spirit of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria. For BetKing, the championship is more than just a sporting event—it is a platform for inclusion, empowerment, and opportunity.

Ukanwoke added, “Wheelchair basketball, and para-sports in general, hold a special place in our CSR focus. We’re proud to champion inclusivity and ensure that no athlete, regardless of their circumstances, is left behind.

Our commitment doesn’t end here. We will be supporting para-athletes during the upcoming National Sports Festival in Ogun State, and later this year, we will unveil the KingMakers Sports Complex in Ifako-Ijaiye—a world-class facility that aims to empower communities, nurture local talent, and drive grassroots sports development.”

With initiatives like these, BetKing continues to set the pace in inclusive sports development, reaffirming its dedication to empowering Nigeria’s underserved communities and athletes.

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

The stage is set for an electrifying semifinal showdowns at the ongoing 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship (AWVCC) in Abuja following an intense round of quarter-final fixtures that showcased the very best of African club volleyball

Egyptian Al Ahly will lock horns with CF Carthage of Tunisia, while Zamalek will battle Kenya’s Pipeline Club for a spot in the final

Al Ahly, a formidable team with a storied history in the tournament, was the first club to secure a semifinal berth this year, decisively overcoming Kenya Prisons with a 3-1 victory. The nine-time champions showcased their prowess with set scores of 25-12, 25-20, 22-25, and 27-25 during a thrilling match at the Indoor Sports Hall of Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Following this triumph, Al Ahly will clash with CF Carthage, who advanced after defeating LTV of Cameroon in straight sets, winning 3-0 with scores of 25-21, 25-19, and 25-22. The Tunisian squad displayed remarkable professionalism and tenacity to secure their place in the semifinals.

In another exciting quarterfinal match, Kenya Pipeline Club (KPC) convincingly defeated APR of Rwanda, completing a clean sweep with a score of 3-0. After facing initial resistance from the Rwandan team, KPC regained control to finish the match with set scores of 25-21, 25-17, and 25-14, earning their place in the semifinal against Zamalek.

Zamalek also faced a tough quarterfinal clash against Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) but emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. After splitting the first two sets, Zamalek rallied to take the final two sets, finishing with scores of 25-20, 23-25, 25-20, and 25-21.

All semifinal matches are scheduled for today at the Indoor Sports Hall of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Fans are eagerly anticipating these high-stakes encounters as four of Africa’s top clubs vie for a place in the championship final.