Basketball in Africa

MTN Basketball League defending champions Nkumba University Marines' 88-96 loss to Falcons on Sunday, created a dent in the sides' play offs quest.
With only four preliminary games left, Marines' loss left them in a struggle with arch-rivals Charging Rhinos for a slot in the last four.The Entebbe based side's last games are against Gulu, KIU, Warriors and Rhino, where a slip up in any three of the four will see the standings turn in favour of their opponents, who only need to avoid a loss in their remaining three against Miracle, Power and Marines.

On 24 points from 14 games, the side led by MVP Norman Blick is in an uncomfortable fourth place, at the same points with the 1997 champions but on top because of the head-to-head ruling.

The two trail second and third placed Warriors and Power who have 27 and 25 points respectively. The decisive game between the two giants will be re-played on Wednesday September 27 after a heavy downpour stopped it last month.

In the women's league, four sides - KCC Leopards, KIU Rangers, Lady Bucks and A-I Challenge are already through. The best of three semi-final play-offs series are scheduled for Wednesday, October 4 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.