For the first time in five seasons neither First Bank Basketball Club nor Dolphins will represent Nigeria in the FIBA Africa Women’s Clubs Champions Cup following their shock defeat in the National Basketball League playoffs.

9-time champions First Bank WBC lost to debutants Air Warriors 61-62 in a semi-final game, while last season’s breakthrough team MFM Queens defeated Dolphins 58-53 in the other semi-final.

Only five teams have represented Nigeria through the FIBA Zone 3 qualifiers, and both the Elephant Girls and Dolphins have featured in the Clubs Champions Cup 21 times between them.

As a result, Air Warriors and MFM Queens will fly Nigeria’s flag in the regional qualifiers.