Basketball in Africa

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Saturday results
Warriors 77-87 Falcons
(Warriors lead series 2-1)
Women
A-1 Challenge 57-55 Canons
Wednesday at YMCA
Falcons v Warriors

Prior to Saturday, Henry Malinga had stated that Falcons would play their best game ever. Whether the 87-77 victory over Warriors in Game Three of the MTN Fuba League play-offs is Falcons’ best ever performance is subject to debate but their potential to rise to the occasion can’t be questioned.

The Mountain Dew-sponsored team were on the verge of elimination but after four quarters at YMCA Wandegeya, most Warriors fans left with their arms stacked to the head in frustration.

What should worry Warriors is the fact that Malinga, undoubtedly the best centre player in Uganda, sat out the game with his incessant knee problems but should return for the crucial clash on Wednesday. “I told my players to take the game as a real life situation,” Falcons coach Michael Mureithi said. “When you are stuck in life, you don’t give up.” Having lost to Warriors four times this year, the Saturday encounter looked like another outright battering for Falcons but the record champions showed that their confidence knows no bounds.

Inspired Lugudde
“We love being against the wall, that’s when we give our best,” a cheerful Falcons patron John Ssimbwa remarked. Without Malinga, Isaac Lugudde played like a possessed man, shooting from all corners and was unsurprisingly voted man of the match after garnering a game high 26 points for Falcons. Stephen Omony dropped 24 while Eric Malinga and Sam Obol garnered 11 apiece in what turned out to be a comfortable victory for Falcons despite Abdullahi Ramadhan efforts to keep Warriors afloat with four three-pointers in third quarter.

Tanzanian Ramadhan finished with 18 points and must be disappointed that his heroics couldn’t win the game. Meanwhile, 2003 women champions A-1 Challenge revenged their loss to UCU Lady Canons in last year’s final by denying them another appearance in the ultimate stage. Spurred by Josephine Namayega’s 13 points, A-1 Challenge edged the title holders 57-55 to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in the best-of-five series.

12 Africa female clubs will play the 15th edition of Africa Champions Cup for women from 13th to 22nd November 2009 in Cotonou, Benin.

The technical meeting will be held on 12th November in Cotonou and will divide the 12 teams into 2 groups of 6 each. Desportivo (Mozambique), double champion and title holder expects to win its third consecutive continental trophy while the other teams intent to break the hegemony of the Mozambique side.

The list of the 12 female clubs : ABC and CSA (Côte d'ivoire) - Deepwater anb First Bank (Nigeria) - Desportivo andt Apolitechnica (Mozambique) - Centre Mère and Radi (RDC) - Interclube (Angola) - KPA (Kenya) - Sporting (Egypt) et Energy (Benin).

FIBA Africa
.

(by Sherif Soliman)
Round 7: Itthad 78-73 Somouha,Itthad recovers form round 6 unexpected defeat from Geish with a hard win over Somouha to keeps chansing Gezira for the top.However, Gasco made a great win over Ahly this win will give Gasco team a hard push to be in the best six this season. Also Geish made thier 2nd win at home when they made a dramatic win over sporting with only 1 point,man of the match was Oraby point guard who turned the game for Geish when he came from bensh in the 3rd qua.

from africabasket.com

By Charles Mutebi

MTN-FUBA Playoffs
Today at YMCA
Men’s division 1:
Warriors v Falcons (8pm)
Women: A1 v Canons (6pm)

THE Kyambogo Warriors are on the brink of ending their playoff jinx over the Mountain Dew Falcons as victory in game three of their MTN-FUBA men’s first division playoff semi-finals will see them eliminate the record champions from the title race.

More importantly, it will ensure the Warriors progress to the playoff finals, where they will face either D’Mark Power or KIU.

The Warriors have established a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five semi-final series.

Steven Omony’s Falcons were leading by a point when Kyambogo’s Jude Ochen sunk a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give his team a 73-71 victory on Wednesday.

However, the Falcons, who have beaten the Warriors in the last two postseasons, have come back from 2-0 to beat the Warriors before and Isaac Luggudde vows they can do it again.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Friday results
DMark Power 76-56 KIU
Leopards 75-55 Rangers
Today at YMCA
KIU v DMark Power 8pm

Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards booked their place in the MTN-Fuba League finals after dismissing Kampala International University (KIU) Rangers 75-55 on Friday night at YMCA Wandegeya.

Timothy Odeke’s women swept the best-of-five semi-final play-off series 3-0. “The team have the belief and I think they can win the championship this year,” KCC Leopards coach Odeke revealed after watching his girls stroll over the hapless KIU Rangers. KCC Leopards are likely to face 2005 champions A-1 Challenge in the best-of-seven finals.

Men’s defending champions DMark Power would have loved to tread the same path like Leopards but still have a battle to negotiate before they can secure a place in the final.

The champions recorded a dramatic 76-56 victory over KIU on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and must now win today to make their second straight final appearance. After taking a 23-4 first quarter lead, Power were battered 25-8 in the second session and looked like they had recorded one of the biggest collapses in league history only for KIU to run out of steam when it mattered most. Led by an inspirational Norman Blick (18 points) and Joseph Ikong (12), Power drubbed KIU 28-10 in the third quarter, setting the tone for the final quarter which ended in a training session of sorts for the champions.

“We need to try and stop their three-pointers in the next game (today),” Power senior player Isaac Afidra (9) noted. “If we lay back like we did, the Sunday (today) game will be very difficult.” Despite reporting late for the game, KIU captain Markmot Orom came on in the second quarter and managed a team high 17 points, 15 of them off three-point shots.

Michael Karuiki who has also had a good season so far for the University side added 13 including two from outside the arc, which in a way exposed Power’s defence. KIU’s Mande Juruni admitted that they had failed to stick to their game plan and got disorganised by some players’ late coming.

by MPHATSO MALIDADI

Off guards Richard Chavula and Victor Jere combined to notch 30 points each to steer Bricks to a 93-51 victory over Poly Bobcats in a Southern Zone Basketball League (Sozobal) match at Blantyre Youth Centre on Saturday.

It was a rare contribution from the two as Bricks improved their game after a sloppy first round.
Chavula scored most of his points from lay-ups while Jere scored five three-pointers.

Jere was surprised to have scored 30 points.
“I stopped checking the score sheet sometime back because some players were interested in their individuals prowess rather than team result,” he said.
He said some players contribute to team’s success by playing defensively.

His remarks were somehow true as fowards Weluzani Chingota and Chikondi Mwendera provided assists and also grabbed rebounds.
Chavula said Bricks were regaining their form because they were playing as unit.
Bobcats Sebenzani Chidothi said they played in the absence of their coach Roy Kachale.
“At one point we lacked direction. However, we could have done better had we kept our cool,” he said.
Bobcats off guard Lovemore Nandolo scored 21 points including two rebounds.

The match involving fading giants Falcons and Crazy Warriors was postponed after both teams arrived late for the match.

Sozobal vice general secretary Lusungu Mtawali said the executive will make a decision.

The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijani Umar, remains confident that Nigeria’s male basketball team, D’Tigers, will get a wild card entry to participate in next year’s world basketball championships billed for Turkey, once the ruling body agrees to give the privilege to any African country.

“Let me be honest with you, we have got words from them that if any African country would be considered, it is Nigeria that would get the slot; the two other contenders (Mali and Cameroun) have no standing against us,” he said.

Nigeria came fifth at the Africa Championship for men in Libya where three tickets were up for grabs to the top three finishers.

Umar pointed out that other considerations outside the positioning will be used in picking the lucky country.

FIBA criteria

According to the International Basketball Federation, other requirements, which may qualify a team for the wild card entry include the sporting aspect, which comprises the popularity of basketball in the country, quality and sporting results of the country’s national team, popular players playing in top leagues and economic considerations like the involvement of local television station(s) and/or competition(s) in domestic and international basketball, in which Nigeria seems to be ahead of the other two contenders – Cameroun and Mali.

Though not happy that Nigeria is seeking participation via a wild card, he pointed out that is the only option left for the country, hence the need to pursue it vigorously.

Local players

Umar watched the finals of the Men’s Basketball league in which Kano Pillars emerged champions in a thrilling final game defeating Lagos Islanders 83-72 points. He was full of praises for the local players, who he admitted might have made the difference if allowed to go to Afrobasket basketball championship in Libya where the D’Tigers failed to secure qualification.

“I regret not taking these boys along. Right now in my pocket I already have a draft of names that we can start something with,” he said.

Sande Bashaija

Wandegeya

Today at YMCA
Sharing Youth v TLC 12pm
St Michael v Heaters 2pm
Warriors v Falcons 6pm
Women
A-1 v Lady Canons 4pm

With two wins already in the bag, Warriors and A-1 Challenge will each seal a place in the MTN-Fuba League finals if they get things right in Game Three of the semi-final series tonight.

Warriors recorded a lucky 73-71 win against Falcons while A-1 Challenge outwitted women defending champions 62-57 on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Whereas A-1 Challenge have proved too strong for Lady Canons., Warriors can’t take their opponents for granted. Only two years ago, Warriors had a 2-0 lead in the final play-off series but ended up surrendering the trophy to Falcons. That alone should give them lots of worries but Jude Ochen, who sunk the winning basket for Warriors on Wednesday, cares less about Falcons’ psychological advantage.

“I know they are a decent side but we are taking the series,” Ochen, a former Falcons player, noted. Like they proved on Wednesday, Falcons still have the fighting spirit and can turn tables but an injury crisis could put paid their aspirations.

Their talisman Henry Malinga was clearly playing under lots of pain after aggravating his knee injury and Kenyan coach Michael Mureithi might have to juggle his team around to lessen the burden on Malinga. “Henry is hurting but Eric (Malinga) has recovered and can shoulder some of the responsibilities,” Mureithi said.

“We can still win this contest,” he vowed. If Stephen Omony and Sam Obol can spark like they did in Game Two, Warriors have a very tough battle at hand.

For A-1 Challenge coach Hamza Nyambongo, the result looks obvious but not until the final whistle. “Let’s wait for the next game and see how it goes. It’s not yet time to celebrate,” Nyambongo said after Game Two. He will however be encouraged by the fact that Lady Canons have never defeated his team in a league encounter.

BY TIMOTHY MUVUNYI

ELECTROGAZ’s resilience will be put to test when they face Rwanda Commercial Bank (BCR)’s basketball team at Cercle Sportif this Sunday.

The energy side, which ended their first round campaign at the top with nine points, is looking to maintain the run against the bankers who finished fourth with five points.

Access and Ministry of Defense (MoD) are meanwhile eager to maintain their pressure on Electrogaz when they clash with Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) and Bralirwa respectively.

The pair ended their first-round campaign in joint second spot with seven points.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Wednesday results
L. Canons 57-62 A-1 Challenge
Falcons 71-73 Warriors
Today at YMCA (Game 3)
Leopards v Rangers 6pm
KIU v DMark Power 8pm

Falcons must be regretting why they cleared Jude Ochen to join Warriors.
The point guard, a fringe player at Falcons three years ago, on Wednesday sunk in a three pointer at the buzzer to give Warriors a 73-71 win and a 2-0 lead in the MTN-Fuba League best-of-five semi-final play-off series.

All Falcons players and fans at YMCA Wandegeya were left stunned by Ochen’s monstrous shot, which he sent flying metres away from the three-point arc.
Their disappointment was justified. With four seconds to the final whistle, Isaac Lugudde calmly guided home two free throws that helped Falcons take a 71-70 lead yet they had been trailing by seven points going into the final two minutes.
Lugudde looked like he had won it and evened the series for Falcons and celebrations had already started. But Ochen had other ideas; after a quick inbound, he dashed to the left flank and released a shot that slotted in at the same time with the final whistle. Warriors fans couldn’t help but celebrate like they had won the championship.

“I knew I could win the game,” an ecstatic Ochen (13 points), lifted shoulder-high by animated fans, said. “It’s a great feeling and I am sure Warriors are now in the final.” Warriors can seal a final slot tomorrow but may need another Ochen magic moment to overcome the considerably improved Falcons. “We are down but not out,” Falcons’ Kenyan coach Michael Mureithi vowed. “Going by our performance today, I think we still have a chance,” he added.

Warriors comfortably won Game One 89-74 but with the Malinga brothers Henry (10) and Eric (8) back in full action after injury layoffs, Falcons matched their opponents toe-to-toe. The first two quarters ended level 17-17 and 14-14 but Warriors had a one-point cushion (49-48) going into the final session, which they capitalised on to snatch the game. Stephen Omony top scored with 25 points and Sam Obol added 12 for Falcons while Warriors’ Brian Gumisiriza and Steven Okias combined for 24. A-1 Challenge also took a 2-0 lead in the series after defeating women title holders Lady Canons 62-57.

Africa team of the moment, First Deepwater basketball club of Nigeria makes history at the FIBA Africa Zone-III Qualifiers holding in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire when it recorded a hard earned 51-50 point"s victory over CSA basketball club of Cote d’Ivoire.

The Nigerian side made up of an entirely home-based players picked the first three quarter of the tense game against the Ivorian league champion by 13-10, 14-12 and 15-13 points respectively to move into the last quarter with a 42-35 points advantage.

The CSA side spurred on by Cote d’Ivoire national team guard and reigning FIBA Africa Championship for Women leading scorer, Kani Kouyate came into the quarter with a determination to turn the table against their Nigerian opponent as time ticks away winning the quarter by 15-09 points but the effort was not good enough as the Coach Lateef Erinfolami tutored First Deepwater side held their ground to pick her third win by 51-50 points.

First Deepwater basketball club forward, Ijeoma Frank Uchendu was fantastic for her side recording a double double figure of 13 points and 11 rebound, her compatriot, Kelechi Obasi contributed 12 points and 4 rebounds while Rebecca Iritei added 10 points and 3 rebounds.

Kani Kouyate’s big effort of 16 points and 9 rebounds was not enough to save her side from going down.

First Deepwater basketball club will Friday play her last game against Togolese CBS at 17.00Hours while CSA have an herculean task of dislodging Abidjan Basket Club, ABC basketball club at 19.00Hours.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Tomorrow at YMCA
Leopards v Rangers 6pm
DMark Power v KIU 8pm

Something quite unusual happened prior to DMark Power’s MTN-Fuba League second semi-final encounter against Kampala International University (KIU) on Sunday. Few minutes to tip-off, Power had no playing kit.

Apparently, one of the teammates, who had the jerseys, got held up in traffic jam trying to drive to the venue at YMCA, Wandegeya. Having outclassed their opponents 94-62 in Game One, last Friday many expected Power to record another easy win and establish a 2-0 lead in the best of five series.

It was never to be as an inspired KIU side hit back 71-68 to level the series at 1-all. Whereas some Power players admitted that the pre-match hitch could have contributed to their loss, the champions are not panicking.

“To say that KIU can eliminate us is a joke,” Power centre player David Kiberu noted after the game in which reigning MVP Ben Komakech and Donald Blick missed easy lay-ups that would have settled the contest in the dying moments.

“We failed to get things right from the start but that won’t be the case in the next fixture,” Kiberu added. The two teams clash again tomorrow in Game Three at YMCA and Power would ideally be under pressure to put things right.

But even Alex Kasendwa, the Power team manager, seems unbothered. “It was just a wake-up call and no one is panicking,” he said. However, KIU, playing in only their second semi-final are ready to make Power pay. “We were under pressure after losing the opener, now it’s their turn,” KIU skipper Markmort Orom noted.

BY TIMOTHY MUVUNYI

MARINE have confirmed that they are pulling out of next year’s National Basketball League. The 2007 champions, who gifted Espoir an easy passage to the play-off final after failing to show up for last Saturday’s play-off tie have attributed their exit to financial reasons and managerial problems.

“We have decided to take a temporary break from the league,” the club president Major Theodomir Bahizi.
“We are taking a break but we remain committed to seeing the sport grow even further.”

“We want to sort out a few issues in the club and then see where to go from there,” he said.

An official from the local basketball governing body (Ferwaba) fears that Marine’s departure is a big blow for Rwandan basketball, “For the last three years, Marine’s rivalry with APR has contributed a lot to the development of the sport. They will be dearly missed.”

Marine made their league debut in 2005 where they finished 3rd. In 2006, they finished second before clinching onto their maiden league title the following year.

In 2008 and 2009, the Rubavu-based side finished second to Cliff Owuor’s Indomitable lions. This year, Marine finished four points adrift of APR who amassed 28 points in a credible season were they did not lose a single game.

Marine’s only defeats came at the hands of APR. In the first round, APR finished 70-62 winners before securing a 85-80 second round victory.

“It is sad that they are pulling out because they had taken local basketball to new heights. There rivalry with APR was very healthy for the sport,” Owuor conceded.

Since 2004 when Espoir lifted the league title, Marine has stood out as APR’s key challenger to the league crown and there was little surprise when the youthful club finally halted the Indomitable lions’ dominance in 2007.

The likes of APR, Espoir and CSK are now said to be waiting in the wings to pounce on Marine’s key players like Aboubacar Barame and Bunene Kajeguhakwa.

Kenya Ports Authority men and women basketball teams lead teams into the quarter-final play-offs of the National Classic Basketball League, which kick off this weekend in Mombasa, Nairobi and Kakamega.

The dockers, who topped the table standings at the end of the regular season, face modest opposition against teams that finished in position eight in the newly introduced eight-team play-offs.

During the final round of the league matches last weekend, KPA men and women collected maximum points from their two weekend fixtures after the women hit KCA University 64-32 and Eastern Queens 85-59 on Saturday and Sunday.

Walk-over

Eastern Queens, who must be ruing the walk-over they gave to KCA University in a match they failed to honour at home in Meru, are second with 28 points, Eagle Wings are third with the same number of points while newcomers KCA University are fourth with 23 points.

USIU (21 points), Yana (21), Storms (21) and Strathmore University (20) complete the top eight teams in the play-offs.

KPA men on the other hand beat ICC 92-52 on Saturday and got a walk-over from Lomboritz on Sunday to complete the season in position one with 30 points followed by KCB who have 28 points while International Christian Centre are third with 26 points.

Cooperative Bank are fourth with 25 points followed by Posta (24), Strathmore University (23), USIU (23) and Lomboritz (18).

Against Eastern Queens, who had beaten them by over 25 points in the first-leg match in Nairobi, KPA were all over their opponents particularly in the first quarter when Eastern Queens had no answer to the form of Yvvone Akinyi, Agnes Anyango and Millicent Anyango whose combined efforts saw KPA lead 31-11 in the first quarter.

Eastern Queens coach Abel Nson, who shuffled his starting five in the entire first half, could not reduce the gap in the second quarter, which KPA dominated to lead 16-10 for a comfortable 47-21 half-time score.

Things were, however, different in the third quarter when Hilda Luvandwa and Mitchel Otinda started to nail the three pointers that saw them win the third quarter 21-18 before losing the fourth 17-20 in a game that was already sealed by half time.

Ineligible player

Eastern Queens, however, appealed against the results arguing that KPA had fielded an ineligible player, Salma Akinyi, who is a registered player with Eagle Wings.

Queens chairman Chris Kinyua said Akinyi, a Form Three student at Shimba Hills School, had played for Wings and had no yet been released as required by the rules prior to joining KPA mid this year.

Eagle Wings coach, Smarts Olumbo, when contacted for comment confirmed that Akinyi was still their player adding that he still has her card and intended to field her in the play-offs when schools are closed.“We respect the fact that Salma Akinyi is a student and would want her to complete her secondary school education. That is why we have not been fielding her when schools are in session,” Olumbo said, and blamed KPA for fielding her without securing her release.

KPA Coach Anthony Ojukwu admitted that Akinyi was an Eagle Wings player but insists she was not fielded last year and therefore he could not see the reason for officially securing her release.

Kano Pillars became the first team to win the Dstv Basketball League title late Tuesday after they defeated erstwhile Nigerian champions Lagos Islanders 83-72 in a game played at the National Stadium, Lagos. Even though they were winning the inaugural Dstv League, Pillars, by the feat, also won the Nigerian league in a back-to-back style having won the 2007/08 title just before Dstv became sponsors of the Premier League.

The Pillars who arrived in Lagos last week Wednesday by road returned to Kano Wednesday morning by flight on the authorisation of the Kano State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau. He was expected to receive the fresh champions at the Government House alongside his cabinet.

The Pillars won the trophy, N1, 000,000 and a continental ticket. Runners-up Islanders also got continental ticket and N750, 000 for their effort. Dodan Warriors who defeated Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt 70-64 in the third place match played just before the final game won N500, 000. The Fair Play trophy went to Niger Potters.

The Pillars, Islanders match was advertised as the clash of the Titans as both teams dominated their conferences through the regular season. Islanders, for instance, dropped only one match away from home while the regular season lasted. But soon after the jump ball was taken experts were taken aback when Pillars ran to a 19-5 lead. The tensed Islanders recovered to leave the first quarter result at 23-18. But the recovery was on and off until when both teams tied at 60-60. The hope of Islanders fans with vuvuzelas that it was going to be a good night turned nightmare as the guard of Pillars and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the play off Usman Abubakar was as consistent as ever hitting more treys. The MVP hit 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to separate then from the Islanders who played right in front of their home fans.
“It was a tough season but we worked hard and the players, I must confess, responded very well,” Pillars coach Sani Ahmed said on the night his team received numerous telephone calls from home.

Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President Mr. Tijjani Umar said he was hopeful that all sponsors of basketball in the country would continue to strongly back the game. He then apologised to the MVP: “We are sincerely sorry for not taking you to Libya (Africa Nations Cup).”

The General Manager of SuperSport Mr. Felix Awogu whose network telecasts the game across Africa assured basketball faithful that the sponsorship is not for short take but “for a long haul.” The Head of Corporate Communications of Multichoice Mr. Segun Fayose on the night said: "DStv is not just in the sponsorship of the game for fun but we hope to take Nigerian basketball to the next level. We have the talent in this country and this is our own way of helping to build up that talent to become champions.”

The next season with the full dose of Road Trips is expected to start off before the year runs out with the play off by May/June 2010.

By Pius Ayinor,

FIBA Africa

By Wale Joseph

Players and officials of Kano Pillars Basketball Club yesterday celebrated their supremacy on the local scene with a sweet victory over Lagos Islanders in the final of the NBBF/DSTV Premier Basketball League for Men.

The match that was played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, saw the team from the Savannah Conference beat their counterparts from Atlantic Conference by 84-72 points to win back to back the league trophy plus N1million cash reward.

Pillars won three quarters out of the four quarters in the game. They won the first quarter 23-16 and the second quarter 21-15, lost the third quarter 16-20 before rallying to stop the Islanders 23-21 on accumulated 84-72 points.

A joyous Pillars’ head coach, Sani Ahmed gave Allah the glory for the victory, saying that it not easy playing the Islanders, but with experience, they were able to beat their opponents.

Ahmed, who is D’Tigers’ assistant coach, commended the Islanders for putting up a good fight and praised his boys for their fighting spirit.

The team’s assistant captain, Adamu Yusuf also commended his teammates for working together as a team and stayed focus throughout the match. He, however, praised their opponents for giving good account of themselves, adding that the match could have gone either way.

By Wale Joseph

It was a good day for teams from the Atlantic Conference yesterday as NBBF/DSTV Premier League Top 8 for Men Dunked Off at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Surulere.

Last season’s runner-up, Union Bank Basketball Club of Lagos lost 86-98 to the defending champion and Savannah Conference regular season leader, Kano Pillars Basketball Club.

Apart from Union bank, other clubs from the Atlantic Conference won their games. Lagos Islanders Basketball Club beat Niger Potters Basketball Club of Niger by 70-60 points. Plateau Peaks also from Savannah Conference, were defeated 81-76 points by Dodan Warriors.

Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt also stopped Kadda Stars of Kaduna by 8 points winning 79-71 points.

Pillars, coached by Nigeria’s D’Tigers Assistant Coach, Sanni Ahmed went up in the first and second quarters 25-17 and 22-21 points. They went into the break with a 47-38 points lead.

Union Bank tried to stage a big come-back into the game at resumption of play in the third quarter, but only had a slim 24-23 points win as Pillars stood tall.

Spurred on by the duo of Abubakar Usman 36 points, 8 assists and 3 steals and Stanley Gumut 26 points, 6 steals, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Pillars gave the fans that defied the heavy rain to catch a glimpse of basketball action in the play-offs.

Pillars punished their opponents further with a 28-24 points in the last quarter, to get a cumulative scoreline of 98-86 points.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Today at YMCA (Game 2)
Canons v A-1 Challenge 6pm
Warriors v Falcons 8pm
Friday (Game 3)
KIU v DMark Power 8pm
Leopards v Rangers 6pm

Warriors will not put the foot off the pedal even as they convincingly defeated Falcons in Game One of the MTN-Fuba League semi-final play-off series on Saturday night.

The two sides renew their rivalry in Game Two at YMCA Wandegeya tonight and Warriors will be aiming to take a comfortable lead in the best-of-five series. “We are taking every game as it comes and can’t relax because of this victory,” Warriors coach Gad Eteu explained after watching his team outclass Falcons 89-74 at YMCA.

The Mountain Dew-sponsored Falcons struggled to match Warriors in that game but are a mentally stronger side. The six-time champions recovered from 2-0 to defeat Warriors 3-2 and snatch the title in 2007. “I know what they (Falcons) are capable of doing and can’t take them for granted,” Eteu, who returned from a refresher course in USA recently, acknowledged.

After over a month-long knee injury lay-off, Henry Malinga played a mediocre part while his brother Eric sat out Game One with a sprained ankle. The duo should, however, be fit to lead Falcons’ charge tonight.
“The pain is gone. I just need to get my rhythm back,” Henry said of the injury he suffered against Ndejje Angels on September 23.

Meanwhile, former women champions A-1 Challenge will close in on a final slot if they overcome title holders UCU Lady Canons in the day’s opening game.

A-1 Challenge recorded a slim 59-58 victory in the opener although Lady Canons filed a petition seeking to overturn the result on grounds that match officials swung the game in favour of their opponents.
The battle between the two sides is expected to be as intriguing as they come.

(by Sherif Soliman)
Round 6:Geish 75-72 Itthad, last night Geish players hurt Itthad players declearing the first defeat for the champions, Itthad started the game without Ismail ahmed who played in the 3rd quater but it was to late as Geish players were on fire,However, Gezira made a hard win over Gasco who made a 29-14 run in the last 14 min but was not enough to win the game, final score 74-69 for Gezira.This win put Gezira of the top of the table after 6 concicutive wins.

from africabasket.com

Kano Pillars, Royal Hopers and Lagos Islanders became the first teams to qualify for the semi finals of the Dstv Basketball League play off as they won their second straight matches Saturday at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.

On Day Two, Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt cut Union Bank 76-75 in the opening match of the day which was keenly contested. The played the third match of the day and defeated Kadda Stars. Plateau Peaks defeated Niger Potters 72-62 in their Friday match but they will have to play Islanders Saturday to know their fate. Dodan Warriors will also wait until Saturday to be sure if they will qualify or drop out. Islanders defeated the Warriors 72-67 to book a place in the semi finals.

Union Bank and Niger Potters became the first teams to dropout after losing their first two matches out of the total three matches at the round robin stage.

Sunday is the rest day all the eight teams while they reassemble on Monday to engage themselves in the semi final battles. The final match and third place game will hold Tuesday along with the closing ceremony for the season.

Day-One RESULTS
Islanders - Niger Potters: 70-60
Kano Pillars - Union Bank: 98-86
Plateau Peaks -Dodan Warriors: 76-81
Royal Hoopers - Kadda Stars: 79-71
Day-Two RESULTS
Union Bank- Royal Hoopers : 75-76
Niger Potters - Plateau Peaks: 62-72
Dodan Warriors - Islanders: 67-72

By Pius Ayinor
FIBA Africa

National league champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) depart next tuesday for Cotonou, Benin for the Africa Women Club championships.

According to Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) fixtures secretary, the porters will take on Eagle Wings in a top premier league show tomorrow and will not travel back to the cosastal town. KPA are highly optimistic they would do well in the continental event.

KPA will use this fixture as part of their preparations for the ten day championships that tips off November 13 with a total of 12 teams on parade. KPA were placed eigth in the last show held in Nairobi, their worst placings in the competition.
Amoko said that game against Wings that was cancelled from the first leag will be played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium from 5 pm. "This game would have been played earlier but due to logistics will now be played on Friday. All is now set." he said.

The Africa championships will bring together a cream of top sides including two time champions and current holders Desportriuvo of Mozambique, Primero Agosto of Angola, First Bank of Nigeria, Djobila of Mali, ABC of Ivory Coast.

KPA quaified for the show in August in Kampala, Uganda where they beat home girls Kampala City Council (KCC) to win the the Zone Five qualifiying spot. KCC were given a wild card and will also take part in the tournament.

As part of their warm up, KPA over the weekend whipped Eastern Queens 85-59 overturing a humiliating 45-68 loss at the hands of the same side during a first leg fixture in Nairobi. KPA will then face off against Strthmore University "Swords" in the play offs quarter finals this weekend.
"After their last fixture against Wings, KPA will then meet Strathmore in the quarter finals of the play offs in Game One on Saturday and Game Two on Sunday. They will return from Benin and complete the rest of their matches." he said.


Dann Owere

FIBA Africa

Determined to make it to the final round of Africa biggest women club competition, The FIBA Africa Champions Club Competition for Women, Nigeria First Deepwater basketball club Tuesday gave a good account of herself when she powered past host of FIBA Africa Zone-III qualifiers and former champion of the Cote d'Ivoire women league Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) by 61-53 points.

The Nigerian side coached by the duo of Lateef Erinfolami and Shola Ogunade held the Ivorian to 15 points apiece in the first quarter but came into the second quarter determined to nail their opponent on a night Nigeria Senior National team forward, Ijeoma Uchendu rose to the occasion leading the First Deepwater challenge with a double double effort of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assist to win the second quarter by 13-10 points to go into the break with a 28-25 points lead.

With contributions from Magdalene Ukato - 16 points and 4 rebounds and Rebecca Iritei – 11 points and 3 rebounds, the Nigeria continue from where they left off in the second quarter to pick the third quarter by 14-13 points thus going into the last quarter with a 4 points advantage.

First Deepwater basketball who will Wednesday take on Togolese side, UBC basketball club in a delayed fixtures stopped ABC incursion led by Guinean international, Fatoumata Camara who led her team with 17 points and 4 rebounds to win the quarter by 19-15 points for a cumulative score-line of 61-53 points. ABC Tshiniangu Kalanga grabbed 14 rebounds for her side.

First Deepwater basketball club head coach, Erinfolami described the win as a morale booster ahead the club big march-up against reigning champion of the Cote d"Ivoire league, Club Sportif de Abidjan, CSA on Thursday.

Erinfolami who captained the Nigeria senior men national team in 1995 applauded the team spirit exhibited by his players describing it as the lead to the team victory over the ABC side Tuesday.

The Federation of International Federations of Basketball Associations of Africa has donated a huge consignment of equipment to the local basketball federation.

The FIBA Africa items donated include five hundred balls, a movable score board and a shot clock.

The Secretary General of the Liberia Basketball Federation put the value of the materials at around sixty- five thousand United States Dollars.

Mr. Fred Pratt said the donation was a response of an appeal made to the African basketball governing body by the LBF earlier this year.

He disclosed the items were currently in the Ivory Cost and said modalities were been worked out to have them release soon.

The donation is the second to be made to the Gbor Wilson led administration by FIBA Africa.
It can be recalled that FIBA Africa donated one hundred balls and 7 referees’ outfits to the LBF few years ago.

Two Liberian international basketball stars have switched clubs in Europe

Varnie Dennis and Pele Pealey have joined new clubs in Spain and France respectively.
Varnie Dennis has joined Gestiberica Vigo of Spain’s LEB Gold league.
The 27-year-old US-Liberian forward started the previous season in Noerdlingen.
There he averaged 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Later Varnie Dennis moved to Longwy-Rehon in French NM1 league.
His stats increased at 10.5 points, 5.2 boards and 2.5 assists per game.
Varnie Dennis used to play for Vigo in 2008. Then he tallied 10.1 points and 6.2 boards for the Spanish team.

Pele Pealey for his part has left French PRO B side Bourg to join another club in the same division.
The big Liberian forward has singed a two year deal with Charlville.
He started his European career in Germany where he was a leading scorer for his club.

By Brown Msyani

Dar es Salaam's top basketball players continue to move to Kampala for recruitment to feature in Uganda's premiership clubs in the highly successful MTN League.

Dar es Salaam Dream Team star Mohamed Yusuf, who plans to join his team mates in Kampala next month, told Sunday Citizen that the absence of the once spectacular Dar es Salaam Premiership League, forced the players to seek green pastures in Uganda.

''I am on way out of Club Savio, but I won't name the team I will join until I have signed a contract with them,'' he said.
Normally the regional premiership starts in late July and climaxes in November.

''I don't think there would be a league this year as nothing has been heard to the effect. Though it is not publicly announced, we are certain that Tanzania Breweries Limited, have withdrawn their backing,'' he said.

He said during Kili RBA heydays, Tanzania clubs used to import top players from Kenya and Uganda to boost their performances in the Kili Super Cup and all Stars matches, this time around the trend has turned vice versa,'' he said.

The players who have moved to Uganda include Mohamed Ally 'Dibo', Abdullah Ramadhani 'Dulla', Daniel Gasper, Ramadhani Shaaban, Andrew Ikunguru, Gerald Baru and Ladislaus Ikunguru.

Echoing his fears, Yusuf said Kili RBA even attracted players from Congo DR and Zimbabwe due its pulsating rewards and technical superiority.

Uganda basketball veteran who was in the country for a private visit said, universities and colleges which offer good scholarsships to the sportsmen and women, initiated the move to Uganda.

By Johnson Were

FUBA playoffs
Leopards 73 Rangers 49
KIU 71 Power 68
Third Division
Kings 92 Diamonds 78
Berkley 81 C. Rhinos 74


KIU recovered from 94-62 defeat in game one of the play-off semifinals to stun D’Mark Power with a 71-68 victory in the second game at YMCA courts in Wandegeya on Sunday.

The tight contest that kept fans protesting the umpires’ decisions had Norman Blick score a game high 27 points for Power and Makmot Orom 24 for KIU.

“The boys lived by our game plan and we won. But we have a lot to improve if we are to win the third game,” KIU tactician Nimrod Kaboha said.

“It’s a star side but we just played our game and had confidence that we can beat them the way we did in the second round league match,” Kaboha added.
Power’s Blick said: “We diverted from our team work game plan and played an individual game.”

He said they are going to work on their defence and offence tactics for the next game set for the weekend.

Meanwhile, basketball body FUBA’s technical committee is yet to review the UCU Lady Canons petition that seeks to nullify their Saturday result against A1 Challenge. The Canons lost the first playoff semifinal game 59-58.

The Mukono based Uganda Christian University side claims that match officials erred by stopping the clock while the game was still in play.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

“I can’t explain what happened. We didn’t give our best but the record will be put straight in the next fixture,” reigning MVP Ben Komakech, who managed only four points, said in the wake of his side’s shock 71-68 semifinal playoff loss to KIU that levelled the series on Sunday.

KIU won the first quarter 16-14, trailed Power 51-49 after three quarters but Markmot Orom (24 points) and Michael Karuiki (19) helped KIU seal off the game.

BY TIMOTHY MUVUNYI

Play-offs
APR 94-52 CSK
Espoir 20-00 Marines (Espoir progressed on default points)

THIS year’s play-off final will be a contest of egos when APR takes on Espoir in a best of three series.

While APR marched into the final on the back of a 94-52 victory over Cercle Sportif (CSK), ESPOIR had Marines to thank for default points.

Marines, who won the league in 2007, wasted their only opportunity of silverware this season when they failed to show up for Saturday’s fixture, prompting the national basketball federation (Ferwaba) to award Espoir default points.

On paper, Marine had been tipped to overrun Espoir following their superior head to head contest in the regular league. The Rubavu-based side had posted back to back wins over Espoir; 80-66 and 81-65.

Ferwafa has for the first time decided to award both the league champion as well as play off winners separately.

Both teams defeated Royal Hoopers and Dodan Warriors respectively in the semi final played on Monday at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Islanders who finished the regular season as champions of the Atlantic Conference defeated Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt 86-81 to confirm their top rating. The result did not go against expert predictions and the Hoopers gave the winners quite a tough time as only predicted. The Pillars who also arrived in Lagos as regular season winners of the Savannah Conference defeated Dodan Warriors by 79-73 to book the match up against Islanders.

In any case, both finalists have by that status, already won the Nigerian tickets to the 2009 African Men’s Club competition which has the FIBA Africa zone 3 qualifiers billed for Niamey, Niger Republic this month.

The closing ceremony the Dstv season will commence at 2pm today with the third place match between Dodan Warriors and Royal Hoopers. Both won their home games when they met during the regular season. The match is a close one to call until the buzzer. The real deal is the final match at 4pm between Islanders and Pillars. Both teams have won the Nigerian league in the past with the Pillars as the defending champions this time. The match is expected to be real fireworks with all highs of a championship match. Islanders dropped only one regular season match while the Pillars also dominated their zone. The match will be followed by presentation of trophies and cash prizes at the same venue.


By Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa

DAY 2 game results

-1st game : FIRST DEEPWATER (NGR) 58 - FIRST BANK (NGR) 85
-2nd game : CBS (TOGO) 32 - CSA (RCI) 86
-3rd game : ABC (RCI ) 95 - UBC (TOGO) 21

Day 3 Programm

11/03/2009

-1st 15H00 / FIRST BANK - CBS
-2nd game 17H00/ CSA - UBC
-3rd game 19H00/ FIRST DEEPWATER - ABC

Wednesday 4/11/2009 at 17H00
1st day game to catch up and rest day for the others teams
UBC (TOGO) - FIRST DEEPWATER (NGR)

Thursday november 5th 2009 day 4
15H00 CBS TOGO - UBC TOGO
17H00 FIRST DEEPWATER( NGR) - CSA( RCI)
19H00 ABC(RCI) - FIRST BANK (NGR)

Friday november 6th 2009 day 5
15H00 FIRST BANK (NGR) - UBC (TOGO)
17H00 CBS (TOGO) - FIRST DEEPWATER (NGR)
19H00 ABC (RCI) - CSA (RCI)