Louis Edem Championship Boosts Teams Ahead Of Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League

The recently concluded Louis Edem West Africa Women’s Basketball Championship has been hailed as timely preparation for teams ahead of the 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, which tips off this weekend across the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences.

Organisers and participating teams said the championship provided much-needed competitive action, with several teams having had limited opportunities to play serious matches since the beginning of the year.

Founder of the Louis Edem Foundation, Louis Edem, said the tournament offered teams an opportunity to identify their weaknesses and work on areas that needed improvement before the start of the league season.

“For a lot of them, it will serve as good preparation, especially the teams playing in the Zenith Bank Women’s League, as they were part of the championship,” Edem said.

“This is a great way for them to prepare for the Zenith League. They came here to compete and, in a week’s time, they will be playing in the league. It is certainly going to help them.”

MFM Women Basketball Team, runners-up in last season’s Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, emerged champions of the Louis Edem Championship after defeating First Bank in the final in Lagos at the weekend.

The victory has further boosted the team’s confidence ahead of the new league campaign, according to captain Ukamaka Okoh.

MFM are targeting a return to the top after winning the league title back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 before losing their crown to Dolphins last season.

Okoh said competing against some of the country’s best teams and finishing on top of the tournament would provide the players with the confidence needed to mount another title challenge.

Meanwhile, Victoria Queens captain Toluwani Arogundade said the championship had given the newly established side valuable experience ahead of their debut in the top-flight league.

Victoria Queens finished third in the competition and, according to Arogundade, their performances against established teams have given the players a clearer understanding of the demands of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League.

She said the team now have a better idea of what to expect when the new season gets under way, adding that their ability to compete strongly against some of the league’s established sides has boosted their confidence.

The 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League is scheduled to tip off this weekend, with teams competing in the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences.