Basketball in Africa

A Lubiri High player (centre) wriggles his way past two Makerere College school players

Sande Bashaija MBARARA

Results
Eagles 36-28 Bugema
Old K'la 75-35 Josephs
Bugema 53-35 Macos
Eagles 40-33 Old K’la
Eagles 55-39 Macos
Girls
Mary Hill 31 - 16 Lubiri
Eagles 23-24 Macos

HOSTS St. Joseph's Vocational School (Jovoc) will be relegated to a cheering role when semi-finals of the 13th Sprite Schools tournament get underway today.
Bugema Adventist, Eagles Nest SS, Makerere College School and Lubiri High cruised to the boy's semi-finals but Jovoc fell out after failing to register a single win since Monday.

Lubiri topped after winning all their five games and will face fourth-placed Macos while runners-up Bugema take on unpredictable Eagles Nest.
Old Kampala, coached by national team star Joseph Ikong have been disappointing in the Century Bottling Company sponsored event.

They may however produce the tournament's record scorer in Dennis Kabuye who registered a record 44 points in their 75-35 victory over Jovoc on Wednesday.

Lillian Wafula, who at 15, has played in the national league with Makerere Cubs, led Macos to a slim 24-23 win over Eagles Nest on Wednesday. Eagles though still made the girls semis and are likely to meet Bugema while Macos could play home side Mary Hill.

Meanwhile, talk around here is that possible finalists Bugema may surrender the trophy if the finals are to be played on Saturday because of their faith. They have never played a game on their Sabbath Day.

EDEN KIRONDE KAMPALA

Results
Lubiri 65-58 Bugema
Makos 52-43 Old K'la
Lubiri 47-34 Eagles
Eagles 52-22 Jovoc Girls
Macos 32-16 Bugema
Eagles 28-22 Mary Hill

RAMATHAN Busulwa scored 33 points, the highest registered by one player in a single game, to help defending champions Lubiri High School overcome Bugema Adventist 65-58 in the ongoing Sprite tournament in Mbarara.
Joseph Kisitu and Elisha Wamala added eight apiece but Busulwa was man of the match, taking Lubiri through to the semifinals.

Bugema had an eight-point lead with three minutes to play in third quarter, but their star point guard Isaac Kigozi (8) fouled out towards the end of the quarter, leaving their backcourt exposed.
15-year-old Daniel Okwi top scored for Bugema with 22 points while Arthur Koroso added 16.

Meanwhile, Makerere College School (Macos) recovered from a disappointing start to beat Old Kampala 52-43 on Tuesday evening in Mbarara.
Macos had lost their opening game 53-61 to Lubiri High School but a determined performance in overtime saw them register their first win of the tournament.

Old Kampala had a 10-point lead with just three minutes to play in regular time but Macos fought back to win the game in overtime.
Four Old Kampala stars - David Kasobya, Simon Mutungi, Denis Kabuye and Denis Omondi all fouled out of the game for Macos to win the overtime session 11-02. Regulation time had ended 41-41.

Century Bottling Company Limited, through it’s Sprite brand has sunk Shs59m in the weeklong tournament.
No cases of illegal players, commonly referred to as mercenaries have been reported in the annual tournament which has produced most of the country’s top hoops stars.

By Renatha Msungu

The Taifa Cup basketball tournament has been postponed again. The national championship will now take place from September 14 at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
This is the third time the tourney is postponed.
It was earlier scheduled for August before postponing it to be held from September 6-14 at the same venue.
The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) President, Richard Kasesela, said yesterday that the event was postponed because the body was yet to get enough money to stage the event.
He said TBF needed 30m/- to stage the event successfully, adding that the body was still looking for 15m/- after getting the same amount from the Tanzania Breweries Limited.
He mentioned another factor which led to the rescheduling of the event as most of the regions were yet to confirm their participation.
The regions that have confirmed are defending champions Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Dodoma, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Tabora, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Mbeya and Zanzibar.

Samson Opus
Mbarara

DEFENDING champions Lubiri High School and Eagles Nest girls breezed to the semi-finals of the Sprite Schools basketball championship yesterday.

Lubiri, the division two national league contenders made a behind-the scene swoop to snatch a 65-58 victory over third division outfit Bugema Adventist in the boys category.

Ramathan Busulwa, who notched a game high 22 points over Makerere College on Tuesday, was again on song after posting 33.

Bugema, who led by 10 points in the second quarter, fizzled out after point guard Isaac Kigozi was fouled out in the last quarter.

Joseph Kisitu and Elisha Wamala added eight points apiece for Lubiri High School while Arthur Kosoro made 16 for Bugema.

Eagles Nest, 33-16 victors over Lubiri girls, also moved to the last four after overcoming Mary Hill School girls 28-22.

Bugema and Makerere College boys were due to battle out for the other semi-final slot in decisive encounters late yesterday.

Bugema Adventist SS girls and Mary Hill were also due to square up in the girls category.

SCHOOLS BASKETBALL

Boys

Lubiri HS 65 Bugema 58
Makerere Col 52 Old K'la 43
Eagles Nest 34 Lubiri 47
St. Joseph 22 Eagles 52

Girls

Bugema 16 Makerere Col 32
Eagles 28 Mary Hill 22

Today- Basketball league
Women- UCU v Crane
Men -Warriors v Miracle

Second placed Warriors should have a good day when they battle Miracle, who have an outside chance of making it to the playoffs of the national basketball league. “Miracle is a very strong team and they are coming for the kill. So we are going to come out strong as well,” said Warriors’ coach Ambrose Tasobya said.

SPECTATORS remained on the edge of their seats as reigning division 1A league champions Premium Cobras narrowly edged out MBU Rockers in a nail-biting encounter last Saturday at the Victoria gymnasium.

The match, which started on a very high note, saw both teams display a very high level of entertaining basketball, with the score at the end of the first quarter reading 16-16.

In the Rockers’ line-up for the match was former Cobras Brian Morel who was playing in his debut match for his new team which was coincidentally against his former squad.

In the second quarter, there were no big changes as both teams kept their concentration and at the stroke of half-time, Cobras were leading by a single point (28-27).

During the third quarter, Cobras showed a slight dominance thus taking a nine-point lead (30-21) only to see a fight-back from Rockers who won the fourth and final quarter 20-11 to narrowly lose the match by a single point (69-68).

Danny Bertin had the hot hands for Cobras with 25 points including seven treys while Cyril Agrippine finished as Rockers’ top scorer with 19 points.

In another division 1A match played during the week-end, Bel Air-based Baya reached the century mark against Pointe Larue Falcons. After winning the first and second quarters 25-19 and 18-12 respectively, Baya engaged a stronger gear during the third and fourth quarters as they crushed the falcons 25-14 and 37- 17 to finish off the match on an imposing 100- 62 score.

Captain Robert Léon led the scoring for Baya with 28 points while Christopher Camille was Falcons’ top scorer with 24 points.

On Sunday, Stephan Omony scored 32 points to help PLS Hawks glide past SMB Razorbacks on a 98-60 score. Hawks dominated the match thus winning all the four quarters -- 24-18, 26-13, 20-18 and 28-11 respectively. Sandy Moustache was SMB’s top scorer with 17 points.

In the women’s league matches, Mont Fleuri defeated Bel Air 79-40 with captain Williana Dubois contributing 17 points while RA Sisters wiped out Cadettes 69-15.
In a men’s division two match which was also played during the week-end, AAP Brothers defeated RA Herons 58-47.

R. D.

Cape Verde's basketball player Marques Houtman, elected best point-forward at the recently finished Afrobasket/2007, has signed a one-year contract with 1º de Agosto, ANGOP has learnt.
This was said at a press conference given by the club's president, Raul Hendrick. During the interview, witnessed by the the athlete, he assured 1º de Agost are still searching for reinforcement in the power-forward and centre positions.
Regarding the Portuguese Francisco Jordao, he did not confirm an agreement, adding that the only certain new acquisition is Marques Houtman.
"If we reach an agreement with another player we will confirm", Raul Hendrick explained.On his turn, 1º de Agosto coach, Jaime Covilha, said this contract with the Cape Verdean point-forward will make the team stronger and increase the quality at point-forward and shooting- guard positions, adding that the team has rescinded the contract with the US athlete John Gray.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde's small forward Rodrigo Mascarenhas, who was voted one of the five best players at the Afrobasket, might also sign for 1º de Agosto in the coming days.
1º de Agosto, a team that does not win the championship for the last two seasons, has as point-forwards Miguel Lutonda, Armando Costa, Walter Costa and the power-forwards Carlos Almeida and Mayzer Alexandre.

Samson Opus And Reuben Olita
Kampala

LUBIRI SS face a big task in the defence of the boys' title in the annual Sprite Schools Basketball Championship beginning in Mbarara tomorrow.

The Kampala giants, who edged Bugema Adventist SS in the final last year, were among the first 11 teams that had reported at St. Joseph Vocational SS by yesterday.

Century Bottling Company has offered a sh59m package under their brand Sprite for the annual competition.

Three Ugandan teams started defending their titles at the East African Schools Games in Kisumu yesterday.

Charles Mutebi
Kampala

NKUMBA Marines beat a shaky Mogas Falcons team in the battle for the national basketball league playoffs. Marines sped to an early lead by pressing their opponents into turnovers and converting with consistency.

Norman Blick made the difference with a game-high 15 points while Olobo Moses scored 13 for the Marines.

The result takes Marines to position fourth with 21 points, one ahead of Falcons although they have played one more game.

Meanwhile, hosts Angola overcame a stubborn Cameroon side to triumph 86-72 and consolidate their chances of winning the FIBA African Basketball Championship for the fifth straight time.

Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

KAMPALA City Council (KCC) Leopards became the first women's team to make the National Basketball League play-offs after drubbing Kampala International University (KIU) Rangers 80-50 on Sunday at the Young Men's Christian Association Courts (YMCA), Wandegeya.

KCC have now accumulated 31 points from 16 games and can afford to lose the remaining four but still make the play-offs.

The game, expected to be explosive, became one-sided just after first quarter and the Mayor's girls were dominant all through.

Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa) Basketball Player of the Year Becky Akullo led last year's losing finalists with a game high 21points while Barbara Namukaya garnered 12 for the clueless Rangers.

The KIU side made last year's play-offs but face a stiff challenge against defending champions Lady Bucks and Uganda Christian University (UCU) Ladies for the last two places.

2005 champions A-1 Challenge look good for second position. Isaac Afidra scored a game high 20 points as the KIU men's team registered its sixth win of the season with a narrow 57-50 victory over Youth Heaters.

Joseph Ikong and Robert Mubiri combined for 23 points but couldn't save relegation-threatened Heaters. Second Division table leaders Kampala City Council (KCC) Lions registered a 54-53 win over Bushcourt in a tightly contested game while Bugema University defeated newcomers St. Michael 73-67 in a Third Division fixture.

Results
Leopards 80-50 Rangers

Men
KIU 57-50 Heaters
Bushcourt 53-54 KCC Lions
St Michael 67-73 Bugema
Berkeley 56-41 Ndejje

SANDE BASHAIJA WANDEGEYA

Results
Warriors 91-75 Riders
Vegetarian 20-00 Crane H.
MBC Rocks 20-00 Jammers
Women
A-1 Challenge 79-24 Amazon
Sparks 79-31 Lakers

WARRIORS are just two wins away from a guaranteed play-offs slot in the National Basketball League after a 91-75 won over bottom side Knight Riders on Saturday evening at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Courts in Wandegeya.

The Kyambogo-based side moved to 27 points, three behind table leaders Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons, and two more victories in their remaining four games will see them book a slot in the last four.

In contrast, Riders must win all the remaining five games, and pray that fixtures involving Youth Heaters and Charging Rhino, go their way.
Ronnie Kasewu registered a game high 23 points, Jude Ochen 15 and Stephen Okias 8 as Warriors thwarted a late Riders comeback manned by Collin Mukiza (17), John Musoke (17) and Rogers Odiama (8).

2003 women champions Makerere Sparks had Rebecca Ndibalekera (15) and Vicky Nassolo (14) in double figures as they stopped newcomers Victoria Lakers 79-31.
Mercy Kasobya stood out for Lakers with a game high 16 points.

Elsewhere, Elizabeth Kizza (17) and Josephine Namayega (20) gave 2005 champions A-1 Challenge a convincing 79-24 victory over hapless Amazon Rhino, who missed most of their senior players.

Jinja based 2001 champions Sky Jammers and Crane High didn't turn up for their games against MBC Rocks and Vegetarian. They lost their points by forfeit.

The national basketball team of Liberia lost her final match in the placement category of the African Basketball Championship and has therefore been ranked the least team amongst the sixteen teams in the tournament.

According to sports reporter, N. Randy Williams, who traveled with the team, Liberia lost her last match in the championship tourney after falling to DR Congo 84-92 points in a match that was full of excitement.

The team left the country about a fortnight ago to participate in the African event and lost all matches played in the competition despite earlier promise its managers made to secure at least two wins in the group stage.

Last month, the team, comprising of virtually the same players who participated in the All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria, where she again lost all five matches, played in the gone competition. The team is expected to fly to Accra, Ghana and subsequently return to the country this week.

Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Sprite Storms stormed to the second spot on the women's basketball Premier League table standings when they walloped Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology 91-28 at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.

In other matches at the same venue, Eagle Wings rocked Catholic Dream Team 64-41, while Mike Opel lead Lomboritz to a 55-35 win over Nairobi Pentecostal Church.

Storms remain on course to finish in the top four in the women's pre-season competition after humiliating the lowly Juja-based varsity side.

Storms have garnered 17 points from eight wins and have lost only once. Yana still top the table with 18 points from 11 outings.

In the Storms' match, Hilda Luvandwa, Irene Makori and Emma Nyakweba terrorised the varsity girls throughout the match.

The trio began the game on a high, steering Storms to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Caroline Ouma also added spark as Storms finished with a 22-4 lead.

Luvandwa scored a game-high 20 points, Nyakweba had 14 while Adetunji added 10 for the Storms.

Silvia Omollo managed 11 for the students, who are automatically out of the running for the 2007 play-offs.

In another match, Veteran Pamella Asige fired 16 points, while Pamela Ikonga added 15 as Eagle Wings beat Catholic Dream Team 64-41.

Sande Bashaija and Jemimah Lulu
Lugogo

NKUMBA University Marines moved into fourth position on the National Basketball League first division table following a 63-59 hard fought win over record champions Mogas Falcons on Friday night at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

The defending champions have now accumulated 21 points from 14 games while Falcons remain 5th with 20 points after 13 outings. Marines had a fantastic start to the game, leading 40-17 three minutes inside second quarter but had to hold their nerves in the dying minutes.Falcons mounted a comeback challenge masterminded by Eric Malinga (14 points) and Brian Ssentongo (10) but it wasn't their game to win. Norman Blick scored a game high 15 points while Moses Olobo (13) was the most impressive player on the night.

With two minutes in second quarter, Falcons' Charles Ssuubi went clear on a fast break but Olobo 'swept' him off the board, sending the crowd into frenzy. Just seconds later Olobo registered a four-point play after a foul by the same opponent.

Despite the victory, Marines can't afford any slip-ups in their remaining four games if they are to make play-offs. Herbert Akita and Geoffrey Omondi scored 15 points apiece as Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons registered their 14th win of the season to stay clear on top of the table with 28 points. But their female counterparts went down 63-80 to table leaders KCC Leopards.

Kampala International University (KIU) could slip into relegation zone should they fail to beat fellow strugglers Makerere Youth Heaters. KIU won their opening four games but are now fourth from bottom, just one place above Heaters on the table.

Cameroon's basketball team coach, L. Adingono recognised on Saturday, here, Angola's superiority, stating that the Angolan national squad is a better team and deserved to win the 24th edition of Afrobasket.

Talking at a press conference after his team's defeat by Angola (86-72), L. Adingono referred that Angolans competed well in every aspect, since the coach did a good work.

He acknowledged that he learned a lot in that game which Cameroon will take as a lesson to prepare better for other competitions.

He said that despite losing his players dignified Cameroon.

Referring to the continent, Cameroon's coach hopes that Angola represent Africa well at the Beijing-2008 Olympic Games, in China.

The Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB)'s secretary general, Tony Sofrimento, informed on Saturday, here, that Angola will host the African Clubs Champions Cup, in November.

The official made this statement after the national team conquered gold in Afrobasket2007, by defeating Cameroon by 86-72. The game was disputed in Luanda´s Cidadela pavilion.The FAB official added that the new sports venues built to host the Afrobasket2007 games, as well as the level of organisation of the event, are the Angolan state's greatest gains apart from the trophy.

Youthful Cameroon guard/forward, Luc Richard Mbah A Moute was selected into the continent’s top-5 team (All-star) of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship which ended Saturday in Luanda, Angola.

19-year Mbah played an important role in his team, Cameroon successful run which saw them play in the grand finale against Angola thus booking a playoff slot for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Other players who made the Africa-5 are championship most valuable player, (MVP) and Angola forward, Joaquim Brandao Gomes and his team-mate Cipriano Olimpio, the duo of Cape Verde guard and centre, Marques Houtman and Roberto Mascarenhas complete the roster.

Malian Modibo Niakate won the highest point scorer; Egypt’s forward, Tarek El-Ghannam won the highest rebounder award; Atef Maoua of Tunisia was the championship best three points shooter while the national team of Mozambique bagged the fair play trophy.

Angolan forward, Joaquim Brandao Gomes was Saturday night voted as the 24th FIBA Africa Championship Most valuable Player (MVP) taking over from compatriot Cipriano Olimpio who won the mvp title in 2005.

The 27-year forward was voted by a coaches and jounalists for distinguishing himself in the Angolan team by playing major

role enroute his country retaining the African title for a record five times back-back.

Gomes was also voted as one of the top-five players of the championship.

Profile of the player - Joaquim Gomes

Height: 200cm / 6'7''
Position: Power Forward / Center
Born: 1980
Team: 1 De Agosto (Angola) (2006-07)
Nationality: Angolan

Angola have won the FIBA Africa Championship title for a record five times back-back and nine in the last ten editions of the championship thus booking an automatic ticket to the 2008 Beijing Olympics beating hard fighting Cameroon by 86-72 points in the grand finale after 11 days of action.

Though the young Cameroon team lost to the Angolan in the epic final they still held their head high especially when nobody gave them chance to go far in the championship with some of the continent’s basketball power house like Nigeria, Senegal and Mali bowing out at the group and quarter-final stage.

Eduardo Mingas was the in a star-performance against the Cameroon side scoring 18 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, the duo of Miguel Lutonda and Joaquim Gomes scored 13 points each with Gomes grabbing 5 rebounds, Victor Muzadi poured in 12 points, 3 rebounds and one assist while Carlos Morais added 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Cameroon forward, Brice Vounang like Mingas scored 18 points but with 10 rebounds and one block-shot, Patrick Bouli added 16 points and 2 assists just as Gaston Essengue held up the Lions pride with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

As runner-up Cameroon will be joined by third-placed Cape Verde for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games playoffs slated for next year.

The city of Luanda capital of Angola is agog with activities for today’s grand finale of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship for between host and defending champion, Angola and Cameroon.

Starting time is 19.00 local time at the 6,873 capacity Cidadela gymnasium, Luanda in the Angola national stadium.

Fans are seen holding the Angolan national flag with so many brides, which go a long way to show how much importance they attached to their national team that has won the Africa Championship eight out of the last nine editions.

The match has become the centre of group discussion among men, women, young and old with so much confidence that Cameroon will be consume in the first two quarters of the match.

Ticket for the all important final was reported to have been bought out by anxious fans that cannot wait to see their darling team win the trophy back-back five times in a row having successfully defended the title since 1999.

Cape Verde has booked a place in the playoff of the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a 53-52 points win over Egypt in the third-place game played today at the Cidadela gymnasium, Luanda.

The Emmanuel Travoada coached side came back from behind to humbled the North African in their own game.

The youthful coach proved a point that home grown coaches have an edge over imported coach in the slamming and dunking game in Africa.

Cape Verde will now join the championship runner-up for the FIBA playoffs championship holding next year.

Nigeria defeated Tunisia 83-82 points in over-time to claim the fifth spot of the championship.

The Nigeria tied the game when it matters most and when the Tunisian thought it was over, Nigeria off-guard, Chamberlain Oguchi took a daring shot to tie the game at 69 points apiece at regular time.

The Nigeria side poured in 14 points to Tunisia 13 at over-time.

SANDE BASHAIJA KAMPALA

Today at YMCA
Livingstone v Lubiri
Mak Sparks v Lakers
Crane High v Vegetarian
Sky Jammers v MBC Rocks
Amazon Rh. v A-1 Challenge
Warriors v Knight Riders

DESPITE a 56-57 loss to Charging Rhino last weekend, Knight Riders captain Collins Mukiza believes his team can recover in the remaining games.

They face second-placed Warriors at YMCA Wandegeya this evening (5 p.m.)
“I think we are playing well at the moment. Rhino were just lucky that most officiating decisions didn't go our way,” the fast-paced player said.

Mukiza injured his fingers in that game but vowed to play on whether in pain or not.
“The fingers are hurting me but I can't stop playing.

I must help out my team,” he said. Only promoted this season, the Entebbe based side could be relegated unless they pull up their socks in the remaining six games. And they begin today with an uphill task against Kyambogo Warriors, who are in demolition form.

Second Division giants Vegetarian have an outside chance of making play-offs if they beat on form Crane High School.

By Charles Mutebi

Wednesday’s results
Crane 48 Cubs 47
KIU 58 Amazon 40

Men
Power 87 Miracle 83

Today, Lugogo
UCU v KCC (women)

Men
UCU v Rhino 7:00pm
Marines v Falcons 9:00pm
Saturday, YMCA
Sparks v Lakers
Amazon v A1

Men
Livingstone v Lubiri
Crane v Vegetarian
Jammers v Rocks
Riders v Warriors
Sunday
Nabisunsa v Crane
KIU v KCC
Men
Ndejje v Berkely
St. Micheal v Bugema
Bushcourt v KCC
KIU v Heaters

NKUMBA Marines’ tussle with the Falcons for a place in the play-offs tonight presents them with a lifeline even after their coach conceded that last week’s loss to Sadolin Power had put the play-off destiny out of their hands.

Timothy Odeke made the admission after the defending champions’ first loss in three games. Marines wanted to keep the winning run intact to be sure of a play-off spot.

They now have the unenviable task of winning all their remaining games, and hope that the Falcons also suffer a late collapse.

Both teams are tied on 18 points but Marines have played a game more.

Worse for the Entebbe-based side is that the first round walk-over conceded to the Heaters denies them a fairly assured second round win. Walk-overs are carried to the second round.
The implication is that even if Marines win tonight, Falcons will still overtake them if the latter win theirs.

Meanwhile table leaders UCU Canons should make it 13 out of 13 when they play Charging Rhinos in the other men’s fixture.
But their female counterparts will need to be at their best if they are to taint KCC’s perfect run.

2005 runner-up of the FIBA Africa Championship for Men, Senegal today in Benguela, Angola defeated Morocco to place 9th in the 16-nations championship which will come to a close on Saturday.

The Senegalese won two out of the four quarters (second – 22-14 and third – 20-17) while drawing its opponent in the first and last quarters – 16-16 and 21-21.

Morocco host in 2001 thus end its campaign in Angola on the 10th spot and will have to qualify from its zone for the 2009 edition billed for Nigeria.

Mali recorded a 78-74 points victory over Rwanda (20-13; 18-17; 21-25 and 19-19) in the placement 11-12 position, South Africa humbled fellow zone-6 member Mozambique by 97-85 points (18-20; 30-17; 16-23 and 33-25) to place 13th. Just as DR Congo ended Liberia dream of winning a single match in the 11-day championship with 92-84 points win (24-19; 29-25; 19-20 and 20-20.

Surprised semi-finalist of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship for Men, Cape Verde today went down fighting to defending champion, Angola at a packed full Cidadela gymnasium, Luanda, Angola.

The coach Emmanuel Trovoada side who booked a semi-final ticket against the continent’s number-one ranked team, Angola having stopped Nigeria in the quarter-final fought to the blast of the referees’ whistle in a charged atmosphere which has the vociferous Angolan fans drumming and singing from the beginning of the match to the end.

Though the Cape Verdean lost by a 33 points margin of 93-60 points but gave their all in match they did not give the reigning championship an opportunity to make a mince meat of them just like in the group stage where they lost scandalously by a 56 points margin.

The Angola who will have a date against Cameroon in the grand finale on Saturday won in all four quarters (20-16; 19-16; 23-15 and 29-13) with Milton Barros netting 18 points, one rebound and one assist; the duo of Eduardo Minga and Joaquim Gomes added 15 points each while Miguel Lutonda contributed 12 points 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

Cape Verde centre Rodrigo Mascarenhas who play professional basketball with Angolan foremost team Deportivo De Agosto led his team with 16 points and 8 rebounds while Margques Houtman and Mario Correia added 15 and 10 points respectively.

By Sande Bashaija
KAMPALA

Wednesday results
Power 87-83 Miracle
Rangers 58-40 Amazon
Mak Cubs 47-48 Crane H.

Tonight
Canons v Rhino
Marines v Falcons
Women
KCC Leopards v UCU Ladies

PROLIFIC shooter Henry Malinga is set to make a forced comeback to lead Mogas Falcons against National Basketball League defending champions Nkumba Marines at Lugogo tonight (8:30pm).

MUST DELIVER: Marines points king Norman Blick

Malinga, the most dependable player on the team, has been out with a knee injury since June 20 but reckons he will play part in tonight's game.

“I have not fully recovered but this a crucial game. I have been training without any difficulty but the doctor will decide whether I should play or not,” Malinga told Daily Monitor.

In his absence, Falcons lost two of their three league games. His comeback is a boost to a team that is in a tight race for play-offs. They are fourth on the table but on level 19 points with Marines (5th).

Though with two games in hand, the record champions need a win to stay clear of Marines, who could bow out of contention if they lose.

In the other intriguing clashes, table leaders UCU Canons face 1997 champions Charging Rhino while KCC Leopards face UCU women.

On Wednesday, Sadolin Power maintained a firm grip on third place after piping Miracle 87-83, KIU Rangers moved joint top of the women's table with KCC Leopards following a 58-40 victory over Amazon Rhino while Crane High edged Makerere Cubs 47-46 in a tightly contested game.

Cape Verde basketball team's small forward, Rodrigo Mascarenhas, said Thursday in Luanda that his team believed in beating Angola in the semi-finals of the ongoing African Championship (Aforbasket2007) for men, before their hope was shattered by a more experienced eight-time winner.

Speaking to Angop shortly after Cape Verde's 93-60 defeat, the player said he was satisfied for their response to the title defending Angola, stating that the score gap did not shake the squad's psychological structure.

"It is not a defeat with a win taste as we managed to beat Nigeria and dared to dream. Everything was going well, but the experience and power of organisation of Angolans beat us", deplored a dismayed Mascarenhas.

However, he said he and his playmates will do their best to beat Egypt Friday at Luanda's Cidadela Gymnasium in the game for the third place of Afrobasket2007 closing Saturday with Angola-Cameroon.

"We are satisfied, not for the defeat but for having done a good feat here. No one believed in our qualification, but now we will fight with the same determination for the third place", said the athlete.

By Corry Ihuhua
Windhoek

FORMER Namibia Basketball Federation (NBF) president Penda Hangala aims to vie for the position again after an absence of at least three years from the national fold.

Hangala, 31, told The Namibian Sport in an interview that he will vie for the position at the end of September when the NBF will hold its congress.

Talitha Jario is currently the president and she has been serving for just over two years.

Hangala said his decision to stand again was because of a lack of development in the game, which he says can be largely attributed to a total lack of vision by the current executive.

He said he has seen no development structures in place, and not much has been done to develop the game at grassroots level.

"I realised that there is a lot to be done to make the sport one of the leading codes in the country.

The current executive has done little to achieve this and it is time for a new chapter in the game," he said.

He said he has given the current executive enough time to bring in changes in the sport, but nothing has been done to even put the sport on the regional and international map.

"These people had a chance for the past few years but up to this stage have not proven themselves," he said.

Hangala is currently involved with football and has been running the Fifa-approved Futsal programme, which caters for indoor football in Katutura.

He recently also changed the Namibia Basketball Organisation (NBO) which he set up about two years ago, to Zula Basketball Organisation (ZBO), which he says will serve as a marketing arm of Zula Entertainment, a company which he owns.

He said he would contest for the NBF presidency as the chairman of ZBO.

Hangala was also concerned about the current financial status of the NBF, saying that the executive has failed to involve stakeholders in the advancement of the game.

Nampower is the only recognised sponsor of the NBF activities, but funding has been coming in small portions and therefore failing to help the game stake its claim among the biggest codes in the country.

"For basketball to be on the regional and international map, one needs a strong leadership.

The current executive does not have a passion for the game and their drive to achieve important objectives has been wanting," he said.

If elected, Hangala hopes to surround himself with the best administrators in the game, who he says should be goal driven and committed to make the sport flourish on all levels.

"The new leadership needs to replace the current systems in place and bring in changes that can be of advantage to the game and most importantly to the players."

He said he wants to involve as many people as possible in the game by establishing strong regional structures .He also wants to introduce programmes aimed at creating awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse, while focus will also be given on HIV-Aids prevention.

Hangala resigneda fter serving for three years as president, paving the way for his then vice president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa to take over.

Hamutumwa did not serve long either and was replaced by Jario, who at one stage was temporarily ousted through a vote of no confidence.

Sackarias Iipumbu took over for a few days, but Jario, dubbed the 'iron lady of basketball' managed to regain the presidency after the intervention of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC).

Fiba-world president, Bob Elphinston, of Australia, is expected Saturday in Luanda to attend the final of the 24th African Championship of Basketball (Afrobasket2007) for men, going on in Angola since August 15, Angop learned Thursday from an official source.

According to Leopoldo Baio, with Afrobasket2007 Organising Committee (Cocasm) communication sub-commission, the Fiba official is expected Saturday dawn and will travel to central Benguela province, ahead of the final scheduled for 07:00 pm the same day.Afrobasket2007 final will be played between the winners of Thursday's Egypt-Cameroon and Angola-Cape Verde matches.

Veteran Nigeria player, Tunji Awojobi lead his team-mates by example against Central Africa Republic in classment 5-8 placement Wednesday with a game high scores of 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Nigeria who played with just eight players as others are down either by injury or is sick as the Nigerian bench was the only one without medical personnel defeated their opponent by 80-46 points of 24-09; 20-16; 12-08 and 24-13 to set up the stage against Tunisia Friday in the placement 5-6 position of the championship.

Cleveland Cavaliars Ejike Ugboaja poured in 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assists and 1 block-shot; Deji Akindele had 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assists and 3 block-shots; while guard Jason Bazuaye 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Tunisia on the other hand defeated Cote d’Ivoire by 74-63 points; Mozambique defeated Liberia who is likely finish the competition without a win by 81-65 points, South Africa defeated DR Congo by 77-74 in a thrilling encounter; Morocco hammered Mali by 86-76 while Senegal beat Rwanda 93-58.

Thursday Games:

In Benguela

Liberia Vs DR Congo – 11.00AM
Mozambique Vs South Africa – 1.30PM
Mali Vs Rwanda – 4.00PM
Morocco Vs Senegal – 6.30PM

In Luanda:
Central Africa Vs Cote d’Ivoire – 2.00pm

Semi-finals:

Egypt Vs Cameroon – 4.30pm
Cape Verde Vs Angola – 7.00pm

By: Olusegun Ikuesan

Story by PHILIP ONYANGO Publication Date: 8/23/2007

East Africa’s Secondary Schools’ basketball defending champions, Mombasa High, received a major boost ahead of their title defence when they were handed two sets of uniforms by the Nation Media Group. Mombasa High’s Suzan Akinyi (left) and Fatuma Mohammed, donning their new uniforms, take part in a training session ahead of the regional schools games which start in Kisumu on Saturday. The team received the kit from the Nation Media Group. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU Mombasa High will be defending their title in the regional games that begin in Kisumu this Saturday. They will be seeking to become the first school to win the regional title for three years in a row. The uniforms were presented by NMG’s brand manager, Harry Njagi, at the company’s Mombasa offices. Njagi said the company had recognised the team’s efforts, adding that the school had exhibited great skill in both the national and the regional basketball arena in the recent past. “We have been following your achievements closely and must say the Nation Media Group is happy to be associated with you,” Njagi said. While receiving the kit, school principal Lazzar Allapat, said the team was well prepared and focused on retaining their title. At the same time, the East African Secondary Schools Sports Association has released the tournament’s draws. Mombasa launch their basketball campaign against Inyeneva Mihigo from Rwanda on Monday before taking on Uganda’s Nabisunsa in another match on Tuesday. In football, Kakamega High School clash with defending champions, St Mary’s Kitende of Uganda, in the opening match at the Moi Stadium on Sunday. David Ngugi, the new regional organisation’s secretary general, while releasing the draws, said all the six countries in the region had confirmed participation. The games to be competed in include soccer, basketball, netball, volleyball, rugby and handball. Other teams in Kakamega’s Pool ‘A’ are Kitende, Makongo from Tanzania and Mulusa Academy from Rwanda. Pool ‘B’ has Masaka Secondary from Uganda, St Anthony and Kisumu Day from Kenya and Groupe Scolea from Rwanda. Defending girls’ soccer champions Wiyeta from Kenya are in Group ‘A’, which also has Itigo and Masaka. Pool ‘B’ teams are Arch Bishop Njenga from Kenya, Kawembe from Uganda and Rwamagama from Rwanda. In boys’ basketball, defending champions Laiser Hill Academy are in Pool ‘A’, which also has St Austin’s Academy, and Cranes from Uganda, while Pool ‘B’ has Kenya champions Maseno School, Kibuli from Uganda,Makongo from Tanzania and Inyenera from Rwanda. In girls’ basketball, defending champions Mombasa High are in Pool A alongside Nabisunsa from Uganda and Inyenera Mihigo from Rwanda, while Pool ‘B’ has Kenya’s Tigoi Girls, Kibuli from Uganda and Don Bosco from Burundi.

By Sande Bashaija
LUGOGO

Tomorrow at Lugogo
KCC Leopards v UCU
UCU Canons v Rhino
Marines v Falcons

NATIONAL Basketball League women defending champions Lady Bucks could miss play-offs for the first time in the club's history. Formed in 1996, Lady Bucks have made it to all the play-offs.

But following a 60-66 loss to A-1 Challenge last Sunday, the seven-time league champions slumped to sixth position on the 11-team table and cannot afford further slip-ups.

Lady Bucks desperately needed the win against A-1 Challenge but Mary Khisa squandered two free throws with 15 seconds to play and Mariam Birungi's center court shot six seconds later was a little bit late.

“We lacked the attitude today and this has left us in a tight corner,” Frances Nabulobi, the two-time league top scorer admitted after the game.
Lady Bucks now have 24 points, one less than UCU Ladies and KIU Rangers. KCC Leopards are top with 27 points.

To stand a realistic chance, Lady Bucks must now win all their remaining games against Crane High, Amazon Rhino, Makerere Sparks, Nabisunsa and Makerere Cubs. But even then, that wouldn't be enough.

They must pray that KCC Leopards, A-1 Challenge and UCU Ladies beat KIU Rangers, the only team they can dislodge from the top four.
But senior player Birungi is optimistic. “We are still in contention. We just have to keep our fingers crossed in the next few weeks. Either UCU or KIU can falter,” she said.

Men's defending champions Nkumba Marines will also miss the play-offs if they fail to beat Mogas Falcons tomorrow night.

The unbeaten Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons are setting the place.
Kyambogo Warriors currently occupy second place with Sadolin Power in third.

By Michael Gebeh

The national basketball team of Liberia may return to the country sooner than expected, as it continues to find it difficult securing any win in Angola. The team yesterday morning lost to Morocco in her first play off match in the City of Bengula.

The team had earlier lost all three matches played in the Group C fixture of the tournament. The country first went down to Nigeria and then met the same fate when she encountered the DR Congo; before losing to the Central African Republic on Sunday evening during the group stage.

Because of the country's poor showing in Group C, she was placed to participate in the placement category of the tournament. The placement category is for those teams who fail to qualify for the quarterfinals stage of the competition.

Liberia lost to Morocco 54-93. Mark Smith scored the highest points in the entire match. He scored 25 points.

Liberia will play her second placement match today August 22 and the third will be on Wednesday.

Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

Despite a spirited fight in her Group, classification matches is all Rwanda is left to play for at the 2007 Afro basketball competitions that are being held in Angola.

Rwanda put up a tough fight against all her opponents but lack of experience in the tournament coupled with lack of that extra edge to turn good shows into wins frustrated the East Africans who were only making their premier appearance.

After falling to reigning champions Angola 66-109 in the first game of the competition, the debutants suffered 64-78 and 62-71 defeats against Morocco and Cape Verde to count off any chances of progressing into the quarter-finals.

In Group A, Angola and Cape Verde qualified for the quarters. Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Nigeria and Central African Republic are the other countries through to the quarters.

Rwanda opened their classification matches account with a tie against D.R Congo yesterday but results couldn't be confirmed by press time.

Other classification games that were going on included; Morocco taking on Liberia, South Africa playing Senegal and Mali entertaining Mozambique.

Meanwhile, in the quarter-finals, four games were on cards yesterday.

Angola was scheduled to clash with Central African Republic, Cameroon against Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria against Cape Verde while 9th All Africa games medallists Egypt were also tussling it out with Tunisia.

DR Congo Vs Rwanda
Morocco Vs Liberia
S. Africa Vs Senegal
Mali Vs Mozambique

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

DR Congo Vs Rwanda
Morocco Vs Liberia
S. Africa Vs Senegal
Mali Vs Mozambique

Despite a spirited fight in her Group, classification matches is all Rwanda is left to play for at the 2007 Afro basketball competitions that are being held in Angola.

Rwanda put up a tough fight against all her opponents but lack of experience in the tournament coupled with lack of that extra edge to turn good shows into wins frustrated the East Africans who were only making their premier appearance.

After falling to reigning champions Angola 66-109 in the first game of the competition, the debutants suffered 64-78 and 62-71 defeats against Morocco and Cape Verde to count off any chances of progressing into the quarter-finals.

In Group A, Angola and Cape Verde qualified for the quarters. Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Nigeria and Central African Republic are the other countries through to the quarters.

Rwanda opened their classification matches account with a tie against D.R Congo yesterday but results couldn’t be confirmed by press time.

Other classification games that were going on included; Morocco taking on Liberia, South Africa playing Senegal and Mali entertaining Mozambique.

Meanwhile, in the quarter-finals, four games were on cards yesterday.

Angola was scheduled to clash with Central African Republic, Cameroon against Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria against Cape Verde while 9th All Africa games medallists Egypt were also tussling it out with Tunisia.

Reigning Africa champion, Angola Tuesday showed the stuff it is made up of when it ran ring round hapless Central Africa Republic in the last quarter-final match of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship at the magnificent Cidadela gymnasium in Luanda.

The match had started with a very high score in the first quarter with Angola winning 36-29 points while the game was slowed down a little in the second quarter with the Angolan still in the lead taking the quarter 17-10, the third quarter was no difference as the Angolan won game through perfect distribution of ball with an 11-06 points victory while the fourth quarter ends 14-06 in favour of the African champion thus providing an easy semi-final pairing for them against Nigeria conqueror Cape Verde on Thursday.

The question on the lips of most people that watched the game against the hapless Central African side is that “who will tame Angola in Africa basketball”

And just as the question was about simmering down another onlooker gave an answer, a country that is ready to support its basketball federation and a federation will be alike to its responsibility that must come with clean hand in handling issues that bothers on the development and improvement of the game in its country and zone.

A federation where corruption and ineptitude will be done away with, one who does not harbour grudges and those not condone sycophancy, that, only will stop the dominance of Angola who has elevate basketball to the status of religion that both small and old adore.

Rwanda has contributed to the dwindling fortune of DR Congo with a 89-87 points victory after over-time.

The match had ended at 77 points apiece at the end of forty minutes with the Rwandans taking the initiative to carry the day pouring in 12 points to 10 for the DR Congo.

The Rwandan won four out of the five quarters the game lasted leaving just one ( third quarter 27-14) for the Congolese side (14-12, 22-19, 27-19, 14-27 and 12-10).

Mali also had the better of Mozambique in Benguela with a 67-61 points win after trailing the Mozambicans in the first two quarters (14-18 and 10-20).

The Charneux Mozingo tutored side went all out in the third and fourth quarters winning 22-12 and 21-11 for total scores of 67-61 points to set up a meeting against Morocco Wednesday in Benguela.

Senegal out-dunks South Africa by 99-76 points to set up a classification 9-12 position against Rwanda.

The Senegalese Lions managed a one point lead over the South Africans in the first quarter but extend the lead in the second quarter by 9 points of 24-14 points for an halftime score-line of 51-42 points.

It added two more points’ margin in the third quarter which ended 19-17 points before taking an unassailable lead in the last quarter (29-17) to take the match out of the reach of its opponent for cumulative scores of 99-76 points.

Other classification matches billed for Wednesday in Benguela includes the one between Liberia versus Mozambique, South Africa against DR Congo, Morocco to take on Mali while Senegal battles Rwanda.

In Luanda, Nigeria and Central Africa Republic will square up against each other in placement 5-8 position while Tunisia will engage Cote d’Ivoire in the other battle to escape playing qualifiers for the next edition billed for Nigeria in 2009.

Group-A runner-up Cape Verde made history today in Luanda, Angola when it defeated Nigeria and Africa second most rated team in the quarter-finals of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship at the Cidadela gymnasium.

The tiny West Africa country showed more determination in the game against Nigeria, though it lost the first quarter to their opponent by a low score-line of 8-6 points, it came back strongly in the second quarter winning by 17-15 point to even score at half-time which ended at 23 points apiece.

The coach Trovoada tutored players overwhelmed Africa’s second rated team, Nigeria in the third quarter with a 22-9 points to open up an 11 points lead into the fourth and final quarter.

All efforts by the Nigerian who are in Angola without any support from the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF nor the country National Sports Commission, NSC under the firm grip of its Director General, Dr. Amos Adamu who have starved the Nigeria basketball body of fund for the championship were thwarted by the Cape Verdeans who lot the quarter by 21-17 points.

Marques Houtman had a great game on a day the Nigeria put all their foot wrong with 19 points 9 rebounds and 3 assists, the duo of Rodrigo Mascarehas and Tony Barros added 12 points each.

Nigeria centre, Olumide Oyedeji scored 14 points and 5 rebounds while Chamberlain Oguchi contributed 11 points and 3 rebounds.

With this lose Nigeria thus join Senegal as Africa strong basketball playing nation to have fallen by the way side in this championship leaving the like of Egypt, Cape Verde to steal the show and a sign that all is not well in these two countries that placed second and third at the last edition of the championship.

Cameroon has qualified for the semi-finals of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship beating Cote d’Ivoire in grand style with as much as 20 points margin.

The Cameroonian team who came to Angola by providence overwhelmed the Ivoires in the first quarter with 20-10 points, but lost the second quarter to the coach Monclar Jacques tutored Cote d’Ivoire side by 20-13 points for halftime scores of 33-30 points.

From the third quarter the Paul Biya men look unstoppable as they rattle the Ivories beating them comprehensively (22-11 and 21-15) for a cumulative score-line of 76-56 points.

Cameroon guard, Patrick Bouli recorded 17 points, 3 rebounds and one assist, forward Gaston Essengue added 16 points 7 rebounds and one assist, as guard Joachim Ekanga had his name on the scorer's sheet with 15 points and 2 rebounds while the duo of Luc Mbah and Brice Vounang contributed 12 and 10 points respectively with Mbah leading the entire floor with 7 assists.

Cote d’Ivoire Ismail N’Diaye led his teammates with 15 points, 2 rebounds and one assists, the Florida University forward recorded 50% from the two point's field goal area 66.7% in three point's field goal and 62.5% from the line, while JDA Dijon Bourgogne basketball club of France guard Souleyman Diabate added 11 points and 3 rebounds.

With this hard victory Cameroon will now met Egypt in the semi-finals in the first semi-final on Thursday.

Group A runner-up Cape Verde made history in Luanda yesterday, when it defeated Nigeria and Africa second most rated team in the quarter-finals of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship at the Cidadela pavilion.

The tiny West Africa country showed more determination and zeal to win in the game against Nigeria, though it lost the first quarter to their opponent by a low score-line of 8-6 points, it came back strongly in the second quarter winning by 17-15 point to even score at half-time which ended at 23 points apiece.

The coach Trovoada-tutored players overwhelmed Africa's second rated team, Nigeria in the third quarter with a 22-9 points to open up an 11 points lead going into the fourth and final quarter.

All efforts by the Nigerian who are in Angola without any support from the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) nor the National Sports Commission (NSC) were thwarted by the Cape Verdeans who lost the quarter by 21-17 points but ran away with a 62-53 points victory to move to the semi-finals.

Marques Houtman had a great game on a day the Nigerian put all their foot and hands wrong with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, the duo of Rodrigo Mascarehas and Tony Barros added 12 points each.

Nigeria centre, Olumide Oyedeji scored 14 points and 5 rebounds while Chamberlain Oguchi contributed 11 points and 3 rebounds.

With this lose Nigeria became the latest casualty after Senegal as Africa strong basketball playing nation to have fallen by the way side in this championship leaving the likes of Egypt, Cape Verde to steal the show and a sign that all is not well in these two countries that placed second and third at the last edition of the championship.

he national basketball league returns today with a spicy tie between high flying Power and the hard-fighting Miracle.

Power are buoyant after their impressive defeat of Marines in their last game but the Miracles are capable of clipping their wings and dragging them back into the bloody playoff fight.

The game should be played at high pace as both teams do a lot of damage on the fast break led by their array of skillful guards. Power's more lethal big men may be the difference.

Power are favourites but will be under all the pressure as their opponents have nothing to lose.

Third-placed Power on 21 points look relatively assured of the playoffs, but a loss could open up a three way battle for two positions with both Falcons and Marines who are a further two points back.

Meanwhile, the KIU Rangers should be able to maintain their playoff-bound charge when they battle Amazon in the bigger of the two women's game on show, far from what can be said of their male counterparts, who stumbled for the third time in succession against Warriors on Sunday.

The latter's 88-66 win over KIU further confirms their transition from mid-table pretenders to title contenders and lifts them to top spot with a point ahead of Uganda Christian University Canons on 22, although they have played a game in hand.

The national basketball team of Liberia has lost her third successive matches in the ongoing finals of the African Men Championship taking place in Angola.

Liberia continued her loosing spree Sunday evening when she engaged the Central African Republic in her final Group C match.Liberia fell to the Central African Republic 59-96 points. The team will now travel to the City of Bengula to participate in the placement category of the tournament. The placement category is for those teams who failed to qualify for the quarter final stage of the competition.

Although Liberia lost, some players were outstanding. Mark Smith and Alphonso Kuiah scored 11 points each while Raphael Quaye netted in 10 points.

The draw for the placement took place on Monday and according to the placement draw, Liberia will play Morocco today, Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the city of Bengula. If Liberia fails to beat Morocco the team will automatically be out of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Head Coach of Nigeria MClocolm has said the Liberian team is fast but needs to improve on other aspect of the game. He said if Liberia maintains the team for the next few years it could be a team to reckon with on the African continent.

University of Nairobi caused a major upset in the Premier League when they stunned leaders Co-operative Bank of Kenya in an exiting match at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The campus lads, enjoying the support of an enthusiastic crowd played their hearts out taking a 10 point lead early before going to the break with a close 36-35 advantage.

After resumption, Lewis Muya gave Co-op some hope with his shots and penetrating runs but a determined UoN grittily hanged on. Cliff Ochieng and Musa Odari three pointers brought Co-op close 53-58.

Eugene Genga, Moses Kamau and Brian Busu then took control as the victors build their biggest lead of 13 points at 75-62 mid last quarter.

Ochieng caught fire as Co-op last 12 points were scored from the three pointer range as the bankers closed 75-78 in the last seconds. But UoN finished the game from the line.

Busu led with 27 points while Kamau and Genga combined for 19 while Ochieng managed 23 and Muya hit 21 for Co-op who lost just their second game and are still tops on 24 points.

International Hilda Luvandwa scored 19 points while Emma Nyakweba made 13 and Angela Luchivya 10 as Sprite Storms crushed UoN Dynamites 61-40. Astabina Sichiri made the losers 13.

Yana Milele recovered in time to hit Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technnology (Jkuat) 67-28. Caroline Achieng made 18 points and Sylvia Koech added 13.

Catholic Dream Team (CDT) were thumped 83-33 by former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). National team forward Gladys Wanyama led the ports women with 31 points.

International Christian Center (ICC) crushed Strathmore University 74-59 in another match.

Debutants Strathmore, who now have only four matches to end their fixtures, are now staring at relegation in the face. They trailed 28-34 at the breather in this saturday encounter.

The result gave ICC, who benefited from a smart move that brought three former Ulinzi Warriors players in Moses Shida, Victor Odendo and Mike Tanui on board, a strong push for a play off slot.

Nelson Njau scored 15 points and Maurice Ochieng shot 18 for the victors who even had a rare three pointer from Shida. Blades had 13 from Paul Nyakinda and 11 from Ken Maru.

The students coach Tony Ochieng promised that his boys will not be relegated. "I still have four matches which I will win. My team will not be relegated." he told SportFest after the match.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) beat Yana Milele 70-41 in a top women's tie. The ports women who were ahead 32-24 at the break tormented ths losers in all the four quarters.

International forward Gladys Wanyama posted 11 points to guide KPA to this easy win while Yana's Maureen Andalia led all scorers with game high 15 points.

Dann OWERE

The 2007 African Nations Cup for basketball hits the quarter finals stage today with The Tigers taking on Cape Verde for a semi finals ticket. The Tigers got to the quarter finals as winners of Group C after three wins over Liberia (139-35), Central African Republic (77-54) and Congo on Sunday (90-74).
Their Cape Verde opponents in today's fixture billed for 18.00hrs local time (7pm Nig time) qualified from Group A behind Angola but ahead of Morocco and Rwanda.
Even though the Nigerian team got to the venue of the championship ill-prepared and without cash they still look good enough to scale over the West African islanders unto the next stage. Basketball followers on the continent have voted the Nigerians to win.
An assistant coach to team and as well a player to the last Nations Cup in Algeria Julius Nwosu told THISDAYSport from Huambo, Angola that they are doing everything possible to make a serious impact at the championship.
"The set back we have now is chemistry because we didn't arrive here as team. But we are blending gradually and taking everything quickly in our strides. We understand that the challenges become tougher as we move higher but we are putting in our best and hope to leave proud of our achievements," Nwosu said.
In the first quarter finals match, Angola will take on Central African Republic who finished behind Nigeria in Group C. The game is for 1300hrs. In other games Egypt will face Tunisia while Cameroon battle Cote d'Ivoire for the next stage ticket.
The Senegalese who got Sam Vincent to coach them after the American parted ways with Nigeria were the surprise losers from the first round. The 1997 champions lost out to Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire in a group seen as the toughest mixture of the first round.
The Tigers have reached at least the semi finals since 1995 in the biennial competition except in 2001 when they finished fifth in Morocco. They were runners-up in 1997, 1999, and 2003.

Kampala International University's Isaac Afidra (front) fights for a rebound with Warriors' Stephen Okias (right) and Francis Kasekende during an MTN basketball league game at YMCA on Sunday. The Warriors beat KIU 88-66

Stand-in coach for the Lions of Senegal and Detroit Pistons Africa Scout, Myke Scholl has given his verdict on the proposed interest of the Angolan Basketball Federation to bid for the FIBA World Championship for Men soon.

South Africa-base Scholl says basketball is like a religion in Angola backed with excellent organisation and support from both the government and the people.

Speaking with FIBA Africa in an exclusive chat at the lounge or Hotel Alvalde Monday on the organisational structure the Angolan basketball federation and government deplored towards the hosting of the 24th FIBA Africa Championship which enters its knock-out stage Tuesday, the former coach of the South African senior Men team said with such level of followership the game enjoyed in Angola he has no doubt that they can conveniently hosted the World Championship.

He gave kudos to the decentralisation of the venues which according to him brought out the best from the fans that thronged the stadiums daily to cheer the teams in each of the four venues (Benguela, Huambo, Lubango and Cabinda).

“The fans are very enthusiastic about the game in Angola and that is one important area of the game that the world governing body, FIBA should look at when deciding on the choice of host for its championship.

“Other Africa Basketball Federations should take a cue from Angola on how best to run a virile basketball, by ensuring that they do not only have a league but one that is very vibrant which can attract its top players from trooping abroad, the leagues should be run professionally.

Scholl who was bitter that the Senegalese team was bundled out of the championship they were runner-up in 2005 on the door step of the Senegal Basketball Federation whom he said failed in their responsibilities to start preparation early by writing for the release of its top players on time for major championship.

He absolved the players of any complicity but rather blamed it on the group-C it found itself which he described as the toughest in the championship.

The former ESPN basketball club of Johannesburg, South Africa head coach to the 2006 FIBA Africa Champions Club Cup Competition held in Lagos, Nigeria rated Angola as the best team in Africa with Nigeria as second.

The chairman of the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB), Gustavo da Conceição, recently in central Huambo province, spoke of the need for a broad and collective reflection on the management of the new game pavilions.

According to the official, the management of the pavilions is an exclusive task of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Minjud)."We have the opinion that perhaps it would be important a broader an collective reflection to see if we can run these pavilions in a way to preserve and use them in favour of the modalities that share these spaces, so that a pavilion like this can serve the youths of the areas where they are built", he said.

Gustavo da Conceição stated there are two aspects involved that should be considered: one related to the management itself and the other linked to its utilisation for sports development projects.

"We have very clear ideas on our basketball development projects and we have another for the expansion of this modality to the various regions of the country. So, this pavilion is an important means for us to elevate these projects to other levels", he said.

FAB chairman stressed that the federation has an opinion on this matter: "But we think that, if we make the collective reflection, we will be able to make a contribute for this pavilion to be truly at the service of the country's youth and of the development of the sporting modalities".

Angola, Nigeria and Cameroon, winners of group A, C and D, respectively, are the only teams that remained unbeaten in the first phase of the ongoing African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket2007) for men, that has began to experience emotions of the quarter finals on Tuesday.

The teams mentioned made a total of six points, in three matches and equal number in every game, with Nigerians setting the best record in terms of defence, suffered only 163 points, but Angolans managed to reach "hundred" in every game, thus being the best performers with 317 points.

With these details, an exciting semi final is expected, between the best attack and best defence of the first phase. In order for that to happen, Angola have to beat Central African Republic in the quarter finals. Nigeria will be facing Cape Verde.Cameroon have to fight to overcome the semi finals in a game against Cote d' Ivoire.

Also on Tuesday the teams will start to fight for the ninth and 16th position in Benguela province.

The quarter finals will be played in Luanda.

Angola become the only team to win the three matches of the preliminaries with over 100 points score

Angolan men's national basketball team ended the first stage of the Afrobasket/2007 unbeaten, by defeating Morocco (108-58) on Sunday, at Benguela's Acacias Rubras pavilion, in a game counting for group A.At the half time, the Angolans were already winning by 49-21.

With this result, Angola is the only country reaching the 100 points score in three games held during the first phase.

Angola defeated Rwanda (109-66), Cape Verde (100-44) and Morocco (108-58).

Cape Verde that defeated Rwanda (71-62) are also through to the quarterfinals.

Angola's senior male team of basketball is to play Central African Republic, Tuesday, in Luanda's Cidadela pavilion, for the quarterfinals of the Afrobasket/2007, Angop has learnt.

After beating Morocco Sunday evening, Angola finish in the first place of group A, Cape Verde are second following their victory (71-62) over Rwanda.

Other games of the quarterfinals are Egypt against Tunisia, Nigeria will play Cape Verde, and Cameroon will face Cote d'Ivoire.

All the games will be played on Tuesday, in Cidadela pavilion.

Lone Star's Marcus Wolo and others at the practice ground

The final batch of the Nigerian national basketball team, The Tigers, were expected to land in Luanda late yesterday as the African Nations Cup takes the jump ball in Angola on Friday.
The Secretary of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Francis Gbiri confirmed the team’s movement to THISDAYSports following weeks of suspense and uncertainty concerning the country’s participation in the African elite basketball competition.
“By the arrangement the players will move in two batches. The first set made up of mainly players based in the USA arrived in Luanda Sunday while the final batch would depart Abuja via Lagos for Angola on Monday,” Gbiri confirmed late Sunday.
By the itinerary, those from the United States are made up of an American-born coach and the likes of Ikenna Ibekwe and Oguchi. Those leaving from Nigeria with the Secretary were billed to move to Lagos aboard an Aero Contractors flight by 8.00am and then connect to Ghana from where they fly straight on Luanda. Olumide Oyedeji and Ejike Uboaja who have been on holidays since the All Africa Games ended in Algeria are part of the batch from Nigeria.
The implication of the itinerary is that The Tigers will commence their first full training as a team today – just three days to their first match against Liberia. Their only saving grace is that a bulk of the team played the All Africa Games in Algiers.
The NBBF officials explained they were forced to cut off the initial camping programme as the cash response from National Sports Commission (NSC) only came three days to their departure even though an agreement had been reached long time before the Nigerian contingent departed for the Algiers Games.
The Nigeria men are in Group C alongside Liberia, Central Africa Republic and Congo DRC and will play the preliminary matches in the Angolan city of Huambo. The first match which will be played against Liberia is on Friday.
The next against Central Africa plays the following day and Congo on Sunday.
The championship ends August 25th. The competition also serves as Africa’s qualifying event to the Beijing 2008 Olympics with the winner picking the automatic ticket and runners-up securing a spot a world play off with teams from other continents at a later date.

SANDE BASHAIJA WANDEGEYA

Results
Crane High 58-41 Bushcourt
Amazon 40-62 Nabisunsa
Lakers 25-82 Lady Bucks
Ndejje 49-24 Bugema
St Michael 20-00 Sharing
Nkumba 77-76 KIU

NATIONAL Basketball League defending champions Nkumba University Marines beat Kampala International University (KIU) 77-76 at the YMCA Wandegeya court on Sunday to revive their hopes of making the play-offs.

Marines are now fifth on the 10-team table with 18 points and a win against Sadolin Power on Friday could see them go third behind UCU Canons and Warriors. Only four teams make the semi-final play-offs.

Emma Shikuku (13) jumbled the Marines defence, drawing them into early foul trouble, though the champions closed the gap and were only trailing by four points (16-11) at the end of first quarter despite a poor start.

Marines won the two consequent sessions 26-20 and 21-20. With two minutes left, KIU were up 73-71 but lost possession twice on fast breaks and had themselves to blame for missing 15 free throws in the last quarter, including two by Henry Mwinuki with only 17 seconds left.

SANDE BASHAIJA WANDEGEYA

Results
Crane High 58-41 Bushcourt
Amazon 40-62 Nabisunsa
Lakers 25-82 Lady Bucks
Ndejje 49-24 Bugema
St Michael 20-00 Sharing
Nkumba 77-76 KIU

NATIONAL Basketball League defending champions Nkumba University Marines beat Kampala International University (KIU) 77-76 at the YMCA Wandegeya court on Sunday to revive their hopes of making the play-offs.

Marines are now fifth on the 10-team table with 18 points and a win against Sadolin Power on Friday could see them go third behind UCU Canons and Warriors. Only four teams make the semi-final play-offs.

Emma Shikuku (13) jumbled the Marines defence, drawing them into early foul trouble, though the champions closed the gap and were only trailing by four points (16-11) at the end of first quarter despite a poor start.

Marines won the two consequent sessions 26-20 and 21-20. With two minutes left, KIU were up 73-71 but lost possession twice on fast breaks and had themselves to blame for missing 15 free throws in the last quarter, including two by Henry Mwinuki with only 17 seconds left.

The national senior male basketball teams of Arab Republic of Egypt and Rwanda arrived Monday Afternoon in the country's capita to participate in the 24th edition of the African Championship of Basketball, to take place in Angola from 15 - 25 August.

In the first phase, the Egyptian team is joining group B, along with Senegal (head of the group), Mali and Cotê d'Ivoire, that will play in the pavilion "Nossa Senhora do Monte", in Lubango city (Huíla).Whereas Rwanda integrates the group A, with Angola, Cabo-Verde and Marrocos. In this group led by Angola, after the inaugural match with Rwanda expected on Wednesday in Luanda, the remaining matches will happen at "Acácias Rubras", pavilion, in Benguela city. angop

Dann O'were
Nairobi

Kenya will be ranked among the top women's basketball teams only if they participate in next month's Africa Feminine Championships in Senegal.

The latest world ranking released by the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) indicates that Kenya's participation at the All Africa Games has not placed them anywhere among the best.

Gold medallists Senegal are the top African ranked team at the 19th slot. Nigeria, who bagged silver, are 21st, Tunisia 24th, DRC 33 and Mali 35 and bronze medallists Angola 46th.

Kenya beat DR Congo, Tunisia and lost narrowly to Nigeria at the Pan Africa games held in Algeria last month.

Another outing in Dakar next month will see them placed among the top three in Africa.

The women's national team is expected to perform better in the Senegal show, said the captain, Angela Luchivya. She said Kenyans lacked aggressiveness, were not good at ball movements and did not have good shooters.

"If we could work on these weaknesses, we could be able to do better in the Dakar tournament," she told SportFest in an interview.

She said the players get tired after only their opening three matches and as a result found the going difficult.

The Dakar festival that will bring together 12 teams from all over the continent will be held from September 21 to 30.

Kenya has once again been pooled alongside defending champions, Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, DRC and Cape Verde.