Jollof rice war continues at CBL as Eko Kings face Warriors

The suggestion was that Nigeria’s Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had settled the jollof rice war after the country’s Information Minister, Lai Mohammed had stoked the fire by making unpopular declaration concerning the ‘fight.’ But the debate for the country with the best jollof rice is continuing with the Continental Basketball League as Senegalese-American, Ndiaye Rawane has said the best jollof rice is prepared and served in Senegal.

The 6-10 centre, who stars for Lagos City Warriors in the CBL May Madness tournament, yesterday said he was not just in Nigeria for the basketball tournament but would also like to use his time in Lagos to correct the “wrong” impression that Nigeria offers the best jollof rice.

“Please permit me to quickly correct something I heard on my arrival here. It’s not Nigeria that has the best jollof rice; we (Senegal) make the best jollof rice and that’s the undisputed fact.”

When challenged on the spot, the centre from North Carolina, USA maintained his stand. He was, however, quick to add his love for Nigeria despite the jollof rice differences.

“I have a couple of very good Nigerian friends in North Carolina but it makes a whole lot of difference visiting their place of origin. It’s my first time in Nigeria but I know I will surely have good time here.”

Apart from those from other continents, there are players from about 11 African countries in the competition. Thomas Doug of the Lagos City Warriors is an American power forward also in Lagos for the pro basketball jams. He also got a taste of the jollof rice war even before he could get a spoon of the cuisine.

“The jollof rice matter has touched me because of the way it has been discussed and so I am now really interested. There was so much debate in the bus that conveyed us from the airport to the hotel on arrival. The jollof rice argument got me laughing.”

Today, the players will put aside the cuisine arguments as Eko Kings take on Lagos Warriors from 7.00 pm in the only match of the day at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The Kings have won their two games while the Warriors will be looking to get their first win in this Pan African tournament set across Lagos, Yaounde and Libreville.