NBBF/Zenith Bank League: Final 8 Race Heats Up In Port Harcourt, Zaria

The second phase of the 2026 Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF)/Zenith Bank Women’s Premier League will tip off today in Port Harcourt and Zaria, with teams in the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences resuming their battle for places in the Final 8.

The Atlantic Conference matches will be played at the Basketball Stadium on Niger Street, Port Harcourt, while the Savannah Conference fixtures will take place at the Indoor Hall of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Two-time champions MFM Women Basketball Club enter the Atlantic Conference phase as the team to beat after winning all their matches during the opening phase at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

MFM will begin their Port Harcourt campaign against IGP Queens, who finished bottom of the Atlantic standings after failing to record a victory in Lagos.

Saturday’s other Atlantic Conference fixtures will see First Deep Water take on Victoria Queens, who emerged as one of the surprise performers of the opening phase.

Defending champions Dolphins will face First Bank, while Bayelsa Blue Whales and Royal Aces will complete the opening day’s schedule.

Dolphins face a difficult task as they seek to retain their title while also improving their position and avoiding the threat of relegation. IGP Queens are similarly under pressure to produce results after their poor showing in the first phase.

In the Savannah Conference, Titans will open proceedings against Kada Angels, who failed to appear for their fixtures in Jos during the first phase.

NAM Warriors, another team that missed their Jos fixtures, are scheduled to face ASO SKY Queens.

Air Warriors will then meet Nasarawa Amazons, before Nigeria Customs take on Plateau Rocks in the final game of the opening day.

The second phase is expected to provide a clearer picture of the teams challenging for the championship as well as those fighting to avoid relegation.

At the conclusion of the conference stages, the top four teams from each conference will qualify for the Final 8 in Lagos, where the 2026 league champions will be determined.