Spintex Knights Begins Tittle Defense with Hard Earned Win Over Airforce
Author: Victoria Nana Adwoa Kwofie
The EL Wak Sports Complex was the center of excitement as the 2025 Accra Basketball League (ABL) tipped off with Division One fixtures from Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, April 5, featuring intense matchups in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Among the most anticipated games was the clash between defending champions Spintex Knights and the Airforce, drawing spectators from across the Greater Accra Region.
On Friday, the Spintex Knights began their title defense with a hard-fought win over a resilient Airforce side.
Despite signing several new players ahead of the season and fielding five debutants in the starting lineup, the Knights struggled in the opening stages. Defensive lapses and poor coordination saw them trailing at halftime, with the first two quarters ending 31-30 in favor of the Airforce.
However, after the break, the defending champions returned with renewed energy. With a mix of experienced players on the court, they tightened their defense and applied sustained pressure, gradually wearing down the Eagles.
The final quarter delivered edge-of-the-seat drama, as the Knights took control and widened the margin. They eventually sealed a 64-49 victory — a win that didn’t come on a silver platter.
Team captain Benjamin acknowledged the challenges, saying: “Our win was smooth in the sense that we wanted to grab it quickly, but we didn’t play well as a team. The most important thing now is to go back to the drawing board, work things out, and improve. It was a good game, especially with some of the new guys trying to gel with the team’s chemistry. Hopefully, our next game will be a better version of what you saw today.”
Head coach Salorm also weighed in: “It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t too difficult either because every team brings their best against us. Fielding seven new players on opening day was challenging, but necessary for them to blend with their teammates. Our experience from African competitions also played a major role in today’s win our style of play made the difference.”
Debutant Luak Ruau had 11 points, 4 steals, and 5 rebounds.