By Eddie Akalonu
Chariots head coach, Alex Owoicho, has said in Lagos ahead of today’s dunk off  for the 2012 NBBF/DStv league that his side is the team to beat despite the fact that 13 rookies constitute the  15 players he registered for the season.

Owoicho, who spoke after an extensive screening exercise of players however opened up to the fact that two forwards, Imoh Imeh and Tony Felah Thomas are the only ones who made it from the old squad.

“We took into account that you don’t just go for all round franchise players but a mixture of rookies, players with experience and also veterans if need be. That’s what we have done and I can give you an assurance we are ready, having put in finishing touches to our preparations.”

“It’s been a wonderful experience all through the whole exercise. We are the team to beat because everybody in the squad is giving his commitment and loyalty, myself, the assistant coach and the players. I would say with the kind of backing from the club owner and huge talents in the players, I feel they will serve the purpose”, said the former Lagos Warriors assistant coach.

Owoicho’s stance corroborates those of club boss, Luka Yakubu, who earlier told Saturday Vanguard Sports that “I  moved against the idea of signing old players from other teams because there is someone running an Academy at the National Stadium here in Lagos where he has developed so many talents. Every year other club owners go to that academy and sign players they use to play the league.