A Historic Win for Maktown Flyers
Maktown Flyers made history by securing their first-ever victory in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with a thrilling 76-68 win over JCA Kings. This win not only marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian team but also extended the Ivorians’ losing streak in the competition.
The Nigerian debutants started the game with incredible intensity, taking control early on. They exploited the Kings’ defense from beyond the arc, scoring 21 of their first 22 points from three-point range. Tyrell Corbin set the tone with a perfect start, hitting all three of his attempts within the first six minutes.
Despite the Kings’ efforts to adjust their defensive strategy, the Flyers maintained their offensive rhythm and entered halftime with a commanding 46-38 lead. The Ivorians briefly fought back with a 10-0 run that disrupted the Flyers’ shooting rhythm, but the Nigerian side quickly regrouped and extended their lead to 16 points in the third quarter.
Jawad Adekoya led the scoring charge for the Flyers with 20 points, while three other teammates also finished in double figures. Ogbodeje Abah, who came off the bench, contributed 13 crucial points for the team. The 2025 Nigerian league Most Valuable Player described the win as a landmark moment for both himself and the team.
“It was an electrifying game. When the coach called me off the bench, I made sure I did my part, and the game turned out in our favour,” Abah said. “This is a big win for Maktown, where I am from. It means a great deal to me, and I am very proud to be part of this team.”
He also praised the coaching approach during the Kings’ brief fightback in the second quarter. “That was the best part. Most coaches might say a lot of things, but ours just kept saying, ‘Keep doing what you were doing in the first quarter. Believe in yourselves and trust each other.’ That was key to this win.”
Abah attributed the victory to unity within the squad, stating, “This group is like family: we win and lose together. Nobody believed we could win; here we are. Let’s keep pushing.”
Rise of Maktown Flyers
The result marked a major milestone for the Nigerian side, who only recently emerged from domestic basketball obscurity before securing their place in the continental competition. Based in Makurdi and nicknamed “Maktown,” the Flyers stunned Nigerian basketball by winning the 2025 national title after acquiring the rights of the Lagos Legends shortly before the campaign.
They later cemented their rise with a shock 74-72 victory over Rivers Hoopers in the championship game. Their rapid transformation has now taken them onto the continental stage as one of Nigeria’s representatives in the BAL, alongside Rivers Hoopers and Kwara Falcons.
Upcoming Matches
The Flyers will return to action today against FUS Rabat, while JCA Kings will look to recover when they face Club Africain on Tuesday as the round-robin phase continues. The top four teams will progress to the 2026 BAL Play-offs.
