Basketball in Africa

BY JULIUS MBARAGA AND TIMOTHY MUVUNYI

Men

CSK A vs. Kist
Rusizi vs. UNR

Women

Fawe vs. KIST
ISAE vs. APR

After a thrilling first round of the 2007 National Basketball league, CSKA hopes to extend its supremacy at the top of Pool A when it entertains struggling Kigali Institute of Education (KIST) at Amahoro indoor stadium tomorrow.

The league debutants (CSKA) had a superb first round show after edging out reigning league champions APR and Marines, the other league contenders to keep their hopes of a play-off spot intact.

With players like Robert Thomson, Crispin Gishoma and Gerol Ndugu, CSK A was too much for even APR but after Cliff Owuor beefing up his squad with players like Issa Ngoga shortly before the just concluded Zone V club championships, we are destined for an intriguing second round.

In Pool B, one game is on cards today when league debutants Rusizi take on Rwanda National University in a Butare derby.
Rusizi had a fascinating first round campaign when it finished second and could stun UNR this afternoon.

UNR have looked a weary side since the 2006 play-offs when they were knocked out by Espoir. The top two clubs from either Pool automatically proceed into this year’s play-offs.

In the ladies’ category, Fawe Girls School face a major test against Kigali Institute of Science and Technology at Primature courts in the morning while ISAE and APR face off at the same ground later in the afternoon.

The league was called off by the local basketball federation to pave way for the men’s national preparations ahead of the Afro-basket competition that was staged in Angola back in August.