MFM Queens Carry Nigeria’s Hopes to Cairo After Impressive WBLA Qualification

Posted : 10 November 2026

MFM Queens will fly Nigeria’s flag at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Final Round in Cairo after securing one of West Africa’s qualification tickets in Monrovia, Liberia.

The Nigerian champions finished second behind Côte d’Ivoire’s Friends Basketball Association (FBA), winning four of their five matches at the Zone 3 qualifying tournament held from Nov. 4 to Nov. 8.

The Folashade Olukoya Queens demonstrated their continental ambitions with a series of convincing victories before FBA handed them their only defeat in the final fixture.

MFM opened their campaign with a 59–36 demolition of fellow Nigerian club First Bank on Nov. 4 before overpowering Liberia’s Flames 77–46 the following day.

They produced an even more emphatic performance against Liberian side D-Rockas, recording a 91–33 victory on Nov. 6.

Marvis Hembam led the offensive display with 25 points as MFM secured their biggest win of the tournament.

The Lagos-based side subsequently confirmed qualification with a 77–66 triumph over Benin Republic’s Energie BBC on Nov. 7.

Hembam contributed 21 points, while Abigail Isaac added 16 and Idubamo Beggi scored 11 to inspire the Nigerian champions.

With their place in Cairo already secured, MFM faced FBA in their final fixture on Nov. 8 but suffered a 77–59 defeat.

FBA dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 31 points against MFM's 17 to seal an 18-point victory and finish top of the qualifying competition.

Beggi led MFM with 19 points, while Isaac contributed 12 in the encounter.

Despite the setback, the Nigerian champions finished with four victories from five games, scoring 364 points and conceding 258.

MFM's qualification further underlines their growing stature in African women's basketball, following their triumph in the 2026 Zenith Bank Women's Basketball League, where they emerged champions without losing a match.

Their attention will now shift to the WBLA Final Round, scheduled for Dec. 11 to Dec. 20 in Cairo, where they will confront some of the continent's strongest clubs.

FBA will also represent West Africa, while Egyptian sides Al Ahly Sporting Club and Sporting Club Alexandria have secured automatic places in the continental competition.

For MFM, the challenge will be to replicate their domestic dominance on the continental stage and compete for Africa's most prestigious women's club basketball title.

Having demonstrated their offensive strength and competitive resilience in Liberia, the Queens will travel to Egypt determined to make a lasting impression and deliver a major achievement for Nigerian women's basketball.

MFM Queens Carry Nigeria’s Hopes to Cairo After Impressive WBLA Qualification

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