Nigeria champions, Kano Pillars Basketball Club, began their campaign at the 2016 FIBA Africa Champions Cup in Egypt with an 87-47 loss to Tunisia’s Club Africain.
The FIBA Africa Zone Three champions are in Group A along with El Ahly of Egypt, ClubeDesportivo de Agosto of Angola and Nzui-Manto Basketball Club of Cameroon.
The Tunisians dominated the Nigerians all through the match as they won the first quarter 28-10 before taking the second quarter 14-13. They increased their lead in the third quarter, winning it 23-11, and completed the rout with a 22-13 victory in the last quarter.
Kyle Vinales led the game for Africain as he converted 18 points, one rebound, six assists and three steals while Dele Ademola led the game for Pillars with his five points, six rebounds, one assist and six steals.
Also, the presence of London 2012 Olympian, EjikeUgboaja, did little to ease the woes of the Nigerian champions as Vinales led the board with 18 points against the 16 points scored by AbubakarUsman. Ugboaja had eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks for Pillars.
No Nigerian side has won the ACC and Pillars have not gotten on the podium at the competition since their third-place finish in 1985 and 1987
