From Uncertainty to Glory: Dolphins’ Journey Back to the Women’s Basketball League Throne

After waiting ten long years, the Dolphins Women’s Basketball team has finally reclaimed their spot at the top of the Nigeria Women’s Basketball League. This victory not only pays tribute to their late founder, Wale Aboderin, but also marks an exciting new era for the club, reports ABIODUN ADEWALE.

The passing of Wale Aboderin in 2018 cast a shadow over the future of Dolphins Women’s Basketball Club. The team, which saw Aboderin as a guiding force and mentor, suddenly faced uncertainty and doubt.

Just three years prior, Dolphins had celebrated their maiden league title, but his death sparked a wave of player departures, forcing the club into a slow and challenging rebuild.

Relying heavily on Aboderin’s leadership and support, the threat of the team folding seemed real. Former coach Peter Ahmedu recalled walking into a dressing room filled with doubt.

“I inherited a young squad, and the players had finished their trials before I joined,” Ahmedu shared in a 2019 interview with ACL Sports. “The club deeply believes in grassroots development. Only two veterans, Veronica and Joy, remained—the rest had left. Many feared the team would dissolve after our chairman’s death. But we decided to persevere, making the most of what we had and taking each match as it came.”

Seven years on, Dolphins Women sent a strong message to Nigerian basketball: grassroots dedication combined with steadfast resolve can triumph. Last Saturday, they captured their second league title after a decade-long drought.

Remaining undefeated in the Final Eight of the 2025 Zenith Bank Nigeria Women’s Basketball League, Dolphins battled fiercely. Their quarter scores of 15-13, 18-17, 14-8, and 6-15 pushed the game against former champions First Bank to a 53-53 tie, leading to a tense five-minute overtime. Dolphins then edged out a hard-fought 61-55 win.

When the final buzzer rang, it signified more than just a championship—it celebrated resilience, faith, and the enduring legacy of Wale Aboderin.

Club director and former Nigeria captain, Olumide Oyedeji, reflected on his bond with Aboderin and their journey since he began working with the team four years ago.

“He was like a brother and friend, deeply passionate about Dolphins and women’s basketball,” Oyedeji told Saturday PUNCH. “He often visited me during NBA All-Star games. His vision was clear, and he even established a top-class facility in Mangoro. That passion defined him. It’s an honour to carry on his legacy and see these young women flourish.”

Rebuilding the Dream

With Olumide Oyedeji’s leadership and Aboderin’s family’s unwavering support, Dolphins Women found the courage to rebuild. This wasn’t a one-off effort but a continuous philosophy of nurturing new talent to keep the club’s vision alive.

Under coach Peter Akindele, who guided them to their second championship, the team adapted to frequent player departures. Instead of being discouraged, they accepted it as part of the process, always ready with fresh talent.

“Building this team has never been straightforward,” Akindele admitted. “Last year, we beat MFM in Lagos and had a shot at the league, but three key players left for MFM just a month before the league started, which disrupted us. We missed the semi-finals.”

In Nigerian women’s basketball, player movement is common due to limited opportunities and financial challenges. For Dolphins, whose roots are firmly in grassroots, losing players stings deeply. But Akindele remained determined.

“We regrouped and rebuilt,” he said. “Anyone familiar with my coaching knows I run a strong grassroots program across multiple Dolphins teams—from the first team down to the fourth—and a development academy in Sango Otta. We always have a pipeline of talent and coaches working together.”

He added, “Losing players doesn’t scare me because they won’t stay forever. What matters is that we have replacements lined up. For instance, Ajani—the league’s youngest player—has become the third-best three-point shooter. That’s a testament to our grassroots strength.”