Louis Edem Championship: MFM, First Bank Light Up Inaugural West African Showdown

Posted : 09 August 2026

The inaugural Louis Edem West Africa Women’s Basketball Championship has provided a platform for Nigerian and Ghanaian clubs to test their strength ahead of their respective domestic seasons, with MFM Basketball Club emerging as the maiden champions.

MFM defeated First Bank 49-41 in an entertaining final on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, to claim the historic title.

The final lived up to expectations as both teams engaged in a keenly contested battle, with MFM eventually securing victory and writing its name into the history of the competition.

MFM captain, Ukamaka Okoh, described the triumph as an important confidence boost for the team ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria Women’s Basketball League season.

She said the quality of opposition provided by First Bank offered MFM the kind of competitive test needed to assess its preparedness for the domestic campaign.

“It’s a great competition. We thank the organisers for giving us the opportunity to showcase our skills and prove ourselves.

“We have been preparing all year for opportunities like this and we are delighted with the result at the end of the day,” Okoh said.

In the third-place encounter, Victoria Queens of Lagos defeated GRA of Ghana 54-48 to complete the podium positions.

Founder of the championship, Louis Edem, said the participation of teams from across West Africa was central to the vision of the tournament and would contribute to the development of women’s basketball in the region.

Edem described the competition as another landmark achievement for the Louis Edem Foundation, adding that cross-border participation would expose players to different styles and levels of competition.

“It is another great moment for all the teams that came for this year’s championship,” he said.

He noted that the Ghanaian side’s participation against established Nigerian teams would provide valuable experience ahead of its domestic league campaign.

“One important thing people forget is that it fosters regional cooperation, youth engagement and stronger relationships among participating countries,” Edem added.

Victoria Queens captain, Toluwani Arogundade, also praised the organisers, describing the championship as a valuable learning experience for her team.

According to her, the opportunity to face quality opposition would strengthen Victoria Queens’ preparations for the 2026 Women’s Basketball League season.

Meanwhile, one of the sponsors, B4 Sail Finance Ltd., said its involvement in the championship was driven by its commitment to youth development through sports.

The company’s Business Development Officer, Oluwatobiloba Oladipupo, commended the participating teams for the standard of competition and congratulated MFM on winning the inaugural title.

“All the teams played well and it has been an exciting tournament from the opening day to the final,” Oladipupo said.

He added that investment in sports could help young people develop essential qualities such as discipline, teamwork and resilience.

“It is a way to promote discipline, teamwork and resilience, and we can see what the girls are doing,” he said.

The maiden Louis Edem West Africa Women’s Basketball Championship has therefore provided more than a title contest, serving as a platform for regional integration, competitive exposure and preparations for the next phase of the women’s basketball season.

Louis Edem Championship: MFM, First Bank Light Up Inaugural West African Showdown

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