Maktown Flyers - the team carrying the Nigerian flag in the 2026 BAL season

With the 2026 BAL Sahara Conference scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, from 24 April to 3 May, here's everything you need to know about the Maktown Flyers.

Hailing from Makurdi in Nigeria, a city widely known by the nickname 'Maktown', the Flyers shook up the Nigerian basketball establishment by winning the 2025 national title against all the odds.

The team acquired the Lagos Legends' rights just weeks before winning the last edition of the Nigerian Basketball League, going on to win the national title as the Lagos Legends. They then confirmed their name change to the Maktown Flyers. 

Until November 2025, when they caused one of the biggest upsets in the Nigerian League by defeating the Rivers Hoopers 74–72 in the title game, the Maktown Flyers were known for their youth basketball programmes. 

Within weeks, the Flyers had gone from being an unknown team to earning the right to represent Nigeria in the 2026 Basketball Africa League season. 

They are the third Nigerian team, after the Rivers Hoopers and the Kwara Falcons, to represent the country in the BAL.

Key players

As of 10 April 2026, Maktown Flyers key players include Patrick Abah, winner of the 2025 Nigerian Basketball League MVP award; former G League player with Santa Cruz Warriors Chris Obekpa, who played three seasons in the BAL with the ABC Fighters, AS Douanes and SLAC; and Thomas Agbo also played a pivotal role in the team’s title run and has become a vital member of the team.

Head Coach

Former Nigerian international Abdulrahman Mohammed, who had several stints as the head coach of Nigeria Men's team in recent times, is at the helm of the Maktown Flyers. 

Mohammed replaced Michael Ikima, who led the team to the 2025 national championship. Ikima remains a member of the coaching staff. 

During the 2024 BAL season, Mohammed served as one of the Rivers Hoopers' assistant coaches under Ogoh Odaudu. 

Also joining the coaching staff is Jeff Varem, another former Nigerian international who represented the country at the 2005 AfroBasket and the 2026 World Cup.

Team ownership

Manasseh Achii, an entrepreneur who grew up in Makurdi, is the team’s principal.  

The Maktown Flyers describe themselves as a modern African basketball institution that is rooted locally, structured professionally and connected globally.

The Flyers are now setting their sights high on the continental stage.