31 May 2008

NIGERIA : Union Bank lands in Kano confront, AHIP, Pillars

Its pay back time, Union Bank Technical Adviser, A‚¦It will be a repeat performance, Pillars coach

Union Bank basketball club of Lagos is set to round off its road games to the Savannah Conference of the Nigeria Premier League with games against Adolescent Health & Information Programme, AHIP basketball club Saturday (today) and Kano Pillars basketball club Sunday.

Both matches are billed for the Sports Hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofa Mata, in the ancient city of Kano promises to live up to its billing as Union Bank technical adviser, Ayinla Johnson and Pillars coach Sani Ahmed talks tough.
Union Bank who defeated Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos in one of it road game leaving three to the League and Technical Committee (Vs Niger Potters, Vs Plateau Peaks and Vs Bauchi Net) to decide whether they will be awarded the points or forfeit those games files out against youthful AHIP side in the hot Kano weather today.

Though pundits will rightly give it to the bankers against a Harry Ezenibe propelled AHIP side going by the pedigree of both sides but one must also be mindful of the fact that basketball is a game of five players from either side on the court at a given time, while the AHIP side will bank on home support to rattle the bankers, the Ayinla Johnson and Gboyega Vidal tutored Union Bank will bank on its legion of experience players to steal victory at the end of hostility.

And against Pillars on Sunday at same venue, Coach Johnson says his team will pay the host back in its own coin having lost to the Coach Sani Ahmed tutored side in Lagos (71-67points) when the former came for their road game.
Speaking in an exclusive telephone chat with our correspondent the former Nigeria International believed his side (Union Bank) have overcome the shortcoming in the team which characterized in some painful loses.

But Pillars coach has a word for the star-studded bankers that they should be prepared for another defeat.
'We will repeat what we achieve in Lagos and so Union Bank should forget talking about being in Kano to beat us, concluded Coach Ahmed

LYBIA : Defending champions Al Nasser lead in the league

When it comes to Basketball in Libya, the league championship, made up of 12 teams is proving very evenly balanced with defending champions Al-Nasser leading the way with 15 points from eight matches. But it looks as if they would be hard-pressed to repeat last season's feat.
Al-Nasser's points' tally is one ahead of four other teams, currently sharing the runner up spot and quite capable of keeping their challenge to the very end. They are, Alshabab, Al-Ittihad, and the two Al-Ahli clubs of Tripoli and Benghazi.
Al-Morog are two points adrift on 12, while Al Madina in seventh place, who had a point deducted come next with 11 points, sharing the total with two other teams, Al-Hilal and Al-Jazeera.
Bringing up the rear are Al-Yarmouk with 10, Al Tahade with nine and Al-Wahda with eight points. Al Wahda is also the only ones yet to enjoy the satisfaction of a victory.
The highest scoring matches so far involved Al-Ittihad, first when they defeated Al-Wahda 110-70 and then Al-Tahade 106-43. Al-Ahli of Tripoli were the only other team to attain a century of points in a league match so far when they beat Al Tahade 104- 43.
However, overall the level of the game in the championship is quit high with most games finishing in high-scoring results, with one or both teams breaking the 70-points barrier, which is quite encouraging as it shows that almost all participating teams have very accurate basketballers.
It is worth noting that the 46 matches played so far, produced the amount of 6311 points, that is an average of 131.5 points for every match. This is quite high and should make for quite attractive matches.
Courtesy of Tripoli Post

30 May 2008

NIGERIA : Union Bank take second game

Union Bank Club on Wednesday defeated Tapgun Rockets of Jos 77-71 at the Jos Mini Sports Hall to pick their second game on their Road Trip through the Savannah Conference. It was indeed the second win the Stallion Boys in the same city of Jos having taken the match against Plateau Peaks on Tuesday at the same venue.

The second was won by action on the court but they secured the win over hosts Peaks by default. The Plateau Peaks team keep could not provide electricity in the mini hall used for their home games. The development is a shock to followers of the game in Nigeria given the past records of Peaks. They won the national league title just two seasons ago and played the African Champions Cup in the same year.

"Well, the FIBA rule was applied. I don't know what their problems are but something was wrong as they could not provide electricity for the hall. When it became obvious that light was never going to come to that hall the referee called off the match. They were not ready for the match," Rotimi Savage the Union Bank team manager explained online to FIBA.COM.

The Union Bank team began their Road Trip games on Monday with a game in Minna against Niger Potters. That match ended in the fourth quarter after a serious injury to a Union Bank guard with Potters leading by 78-61. The trip will continue in Bauchi with two matches against Yelwa Hawks and Bauchi Nets on Thursday and Friday.

By Pius Ayinor

UGANDA : Sadolin Power ready for Kyambogo Warriors test

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

RESULTS
Falcons 85-59 Crane High
Planets 72-69 Bugema
Sparks 74-56 Crane High

TODAY
KCC Lions v Falcons 5p.m.
Mak Sparks v KCC Leopards
Power v Warriors 8p.m.

Sadolin Power are yet to fully recover from the death of their star Wilbrod Oketcho but that won’t stop them from going for the jugular against Kyambogo Warriors in an MTN-Fuba Basketball League game at Lugogo Indoor Stadium tonight.

Oketcho, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) when Power last lifted the trophy in 2000, died of gunshot wounds two weeks ago, and Power have since played one game and requested for postponement of the other two due to psychological trauma.

But Isaac Afidra the Power captain is confident his charges are getting back their heads and will be ready to challenge table leaders Warriors tonight.

“We have at least worked out this week and will be ready for the job. It’s going to be a tough game though,” Afidra told Daily Monitor yesterday. “We shall give it our best shot and see what happens.” Warriors eliminated Power from last year’s play-offs at the semifinal stage but lost the trophy to Mogas Falcons. The Kyambogo-based side suffered a shock loss in their season-opening game to Miracle but have since won three in a row.

In the games played Wednesday, Falcons thrashed Crane High School 85-59 with reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Henry Malinga scoring a game high 23 points.

His brother Eric Malinga added 15 to the cause. Falcons return to action against KCC Lions while 2003 women champions Makerere Sparks, who defeated Crane High 74-56, face KCC Leopards.

SENEGAL : Gainde Classic: Lions beat SMU 62-54

A national selection of players from Senegal beat on Tuesday the SMU 62-54 at the Stadium Marius Ndiaye.
The selection, coached by Parfait Adjivon led after the first quarter by three points (15-12) and the 'Lions' had a tough second quarter against the visiting students from Dallas.
Propelled by the late addition of Mouhammad Faye (208-F-85) (Senegalese player of SMU), the hosts led at halftime by two points (27-25) and after a strong showing by Biyago Diouf (188-G-88) and Mouhamadou Diop (210-C-87), they led by 12 after the third (48-36).
SMU bounced back eventually thanks two made three-point shots to close the gap(50-48), but Senegal's player kept playing controlled basketball and widened the gap to eight points until the final whistle.
Senegal takes on Athletes in Action today before departing to Mali for another tourney.

29 May 2008

NIGERIA : Niger Potters, Union Bank Abandon Game Peacefully, beat Tapgun 77-71

The first Road Trip game of the Union Bank played in Minna, Niger State ended just two minutes into the fourth quarter but the accounts of the teams involved suggest the match was abandoned on peaceful terms.

The match was halted after one of Union Bank point guards Daniel Daudu passed out on the court following a serious collision with a Niger Potters player in a lay up move, a situation that took the combined effort of both teams' medical staff to revive the player. Side court account said he ran into an elbow with his chest while at full throttle.
'But the situation got under control and the player is okay at the hospital. He responded well following the combined effort on the court and as at this time he has improved greatly at the hospital,' the Potters coach Adamu Kuta told www.fiba-afrique.org after the match played Monday night.
On account halting the game before the buzzer, the team Manager of Union Bank Rotimi Savage said the situation on ground made it very difficult for his players to continue the game.
'It a tough and emotional situation that forced us to stop playing. Nobody was sure how well things could be until much after the two teams doctors combined to give the player first aid that really saved the situation. My players were not in a state of mind to continue the match. There was no disagreement or hostility but we just could not continue,' he said.
The Potters coach said the final decision was left for the Match Commissioner whom the Union Bank official spoke with before the match was called off.
'After the treatment, the Union Bank players did not return to the court as we expected.
But I know Savage (team manager) spoke with the Match Commissioner and then the game was called off. So I guess it all now depends on the report of the Match Commissioner,' Adamu said.
Potters who were playing on home court were leading at 78-61 before the match was abandoned. The match was the first for the road games for the Bankers who are playing through the Savannah Conference. They defeated Tapgun Rockets in Jos today by 77-71 points.
The train of the Stallions Boys as the bankers are also known move to Bauchi where they are expected to slug it out against Yelwa Hawks (Thursday) and Bauchi Net on Friday.

africabasket.com

NIGERIA : Bullets win maiden First Deepwater 6-A-Side

Bullets Basketball Team last Sunday won the maiden edition of the First Deepwater Discovery 6-A-Side Competition held at the Sports Hall of the University of Lagos Sports Complex.

The Bullets team made up of five male players and one female player defeated Discovery Basketball Team by 14-12 points in a keenly contested finals.

To get to the finals Bullets Team defeated Tobi Team by 14-08 points in the second semi-finals while Discovery Team had the better of Lead Team via 16-07 points.
As winners the Bullets side went home with a cash prize of N150, 000 (about $1, 280) while Discovery team received N120, 000 (about $1, 025), the third place was won by Lead Team with a 13-06 points victory over Tobi Team.
The Lead Team were rewarded with a cash prize of N90, 000 (about $770) while players of Tobi Team shared N60, 000 (about $513) among themselves.
Organizers of the one-day event, Adenike Carew of Nyk Concept says the whole idea was to give basketball players in Lagos State another form of competition and pledge to make the event a quarterly one.
Babatunde Babalola Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of First Deepwater Discovery Limited Sponsors of the event in his remark promised the teeming players that the event will get bigger every quarter.

The First Deepwater Discovery boss surprised the players and organizers when he announced a University Scholarship for the male and female most valuable players of the competition.
The two MVPs Demola Oshobanjo and Juliet Edogo both of victorious Bullets Side were full of appreciation to the First Deepwater Discovery Managing Director for the scholarship award.
Babalola says aside the scholarship for the two outstanding players they are also to receive an undisclosed amount of fund every month as up-keep fee throughout their stay in the University.
Both players are undergraduate student of the University of Lagos and play club basketball for Islanders/ Kennys' Bullets basketball club and First Bank basketball club respectively.
The First Deepwater Discovery Limited M.D also promised to float a basketball club that will compete in the Lagos City League next year and later the National Premier League.

from africabasket.com

KENYA : KCB Lions Maintain League Lead

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions retained their position atop the men's basketball Premier League standings after the latest round of matches.
Also in with a chance is Co-operative bank, who also won their first leg matches at Nyayo Stadium.
The KCB Lions mauled Strathmore University 74-63 to maintain their league leadership with 10 points. They have won all their five matches so far.
Co-op Bank beat International Christian Centre 100-79.
Against Strathmore University, Lions went up 23-14 in the first quarter and remained focused to lead 42-38 at half-time.
Tobias Onyango scored game-high 33 points while Yoni Wanambiro hit 11 for Lions.
Charles Okoth scored 13 points, Paul Nyakinda added 12 and Kennedy Maru replied 11 for the losers.
Allan Ouma scored 12 points, George Kamau managed 14 and Lewis Muya 12 as Co-op Bank became the first team to cross the century mark this year.
Co-op Bank's 100-79 win over ICC kept them in second position with seven points. They have played four matches, won three and lost one, 72-69 to Lions.
Kenyatta University Pirates had mixed luck.
After losing 91-70 to ICC, the students under coach Waringo Gitau recovered to dismiss Tigers of the United States International University 73-63.
Griffins Ligare was on fire, scoring 26 points and Hannington Sitati 13 for Pirates, who had trailed 37-35 at the breather. Rocky Otieno shot 16 ponits for Tigers.
African Nazarene University harvested three points from their two tight weekend matches.
Edgar Kisalu scored 13 points while Mike Angaine shot 12 in ANU's 59-44 win over fellow students Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
ANU had a narrow 27-26 half-time lead.

28 May 2008

UGANDA : Falcons Aim to Demolish Struggling Crane High

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

MTN-Fuba League record champions will be without experienced Sam Obol when they take on Crane High School at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) slapped a four-match ban on Obol for misconduct but Falcons are very confident of demolishing Crane High and move top of the topflight table.
Falcons, who won their sixth championship last season, have eight points, two behind leaders Kampala International University (KIU).
Though on paper Falcons are clear favourites to record victory, team skipper Eric Malinga has warned his charges not to take anything for granted.

"A game is a game and anything can happen. They are a formidable side and can pull off a shock on a good day. We can't rest players because the team we are playing is struggling," Malinga said.
Crane High have only one win to their name. The Kitintale-based side will thusbe playing every game as a final since the relegation monster is knocking at their door.

In the women's category, Makerere Sparks, trying to re-build after losing most of their stars in the transfer window, also take on Crane High School.
Most Sparks players have had a long rest thanks to the power blackout at YMCA Wandegeya on Sunday evening that saw their game against Amazon Rhino postponed.

Today at Lugogo
Planets v Bugema 5p.m.
C. High v Sparks 6:30pm
Falcons v Crane High 8p.m.

Friday
KCC Lions v Falcons
Sparks v KCC Lions
Power v Warriors

ANGOLA : Petro Face 1º De Agosto Today

Petro de Luanda will try to break 1º de Agosto invincibility in the final phase of the National Senior Males Basketball Championship, when they meet this evening at 07pm at Luanda's Cidadela pavilion, for the third round of the second "final four" stage, group A.
1º de Agosto leads the competition with ten points, in five matches, Petro de Luanda lies second with nine points.
In the first stage, Petro lost to their archrival at Codmn pavilion, by 102-90.
In this last phase of the national championship, the four teams of group A (1º de Agosto, Petro, ASA and Promade de Cabinda) will face one another four times, and the champion shall be the team with the most victories.
To complete the round, Atlético Sport Aviação (ASA) will play against Promade de Cabinda.

27 May 2008

NIGERIA : Niger Potters, Union Bank abandon game peacefully

The first Road Trip game of the Union Bank played in Minna, Niger State ended just two minutes into the fourth quarter but the accounts of the teams involved suggest the match was abandoned on peaceful terms. The ended was halted after one of Union Bank point guards Daniel Daudu passed out on the court following a serious collision with a Niger Potters player in a lay up move – a situation that took the combined effort of both teams’ medical staff to revive the player. Side court account said he ran into an elbow with his chest at while at full throttle.

“But the situation got under control and the player is okay at the hospital. He responded well following the combined effort on the court and as at this time he has improved greatly at the hospital,” the Potters coach Adamu Kuta told FIBA.COM after the match played Monday night.

On account halting the game before the buzzer, the team Manager of Union Bank Rotimi Savage said the situation on ground made it very difficult for his players to continue the game.

“It a tough and emotional situation and forced us to stop playing. Nobody was sure how well things could be until much after the two teams doctors combined to give the player first aid that really saved the situation. My players were not in a state of mind to continue the match. There was no disagreement or hostility but we just could not continue,” he said.

The Potters coach the final decision was left for the Match Commissioner whom the Union Bank official spoke with before the match was called off. “After the treatment, the Union Bank players did not return to the court as we expected. But I know Savage (team manager) spoke with the Match Commissioner and then the game was called off. So I guess it all now depends on the report of the Match Commissioner,” Adamu said.

The Potters who were playing on home court were leading at 78-61 before the match was abandoned. The match was the first for the road games for the Bankers who are playing through the Savannah Conference. They will play Tapgun Rockets in Jos today. BY Pius Ayinor, FIBA

Pius AYINOR

SEYCHELLES : Heat burn Razors

A day after Baya choked Premium Cobras and their top-scoring Nigerian player, Alao Solomon, the Heat burned the Razors at the Palais des Sports.

Winless in their first seven games, Beau Vallon chose to beat strugglers Razors to celebrate victory for the first time in the Men’s Division One.
Coach Valli Ismaël’s team took a decisive step towards victory by winning the first quarter 21-15, and although the Razors outscored them 17-14 in the second they still went for the breather with a three-point lead (35-32).
When play resumed, the Heat stayed hot, scoring 30 points and at the same time restricting Razors to just 18 for a 65-50 win.
Marlon Marimba top-scored for the Heat with 20 points, including three 3-pointers, while Tony ‘General’ Barbé (13 points) and Christopher Preira (10) were the other two players in double figures for the winning team.
Christopher Valmont’s game-high 26 points went to waste as Razors conceded defeat for the sixth time – one of those by a walkover. They have seven points, two less than the Heat, who have played a match more.

Meanwhile, in two Men’s Division Two matches, Juniors had skipper Reggie Ah-kong (35 points) and Christopher Valmont (32) combining for 67 of their team’s points in the 141-34 win over Fire Brigade, and Pointe Larue Falcons needed overtime to put an end to AAP Brothers’ five-game unbeaten run, edging them 62-60.
There were no winners at the end of normal time with the score tied at 57-57, but league leaders Falcons outscored AAP Brothers 5-3 in the five-minute overtime for their sixth win in seven matches. Their only loss was through a walkover, while AAP Brothers are fifth in the 11-team standings with 11 points after five victories and one defeat.


G. G.

GUINÉE CONAKRY : U-18 Zone 2 qualifying tournament concluded

Men
Results:

Game n1. Guinea vs Mali :37-55 (14-28)
Game n2. Mauritania vs Senegal: 42- 51 (21-24)
Game n3. Guinea vs Mauritania: 51-43 (31-25)
Game n4. Senegal vs Mali : 36-59 (20-30)
Game n5. Mauritania vs Mali : 47-58 (32-38)
Game n6. Senegal vs Guinea : 53-50 (24-25)

Final Standings:


1.Mali : 6 points
2. Senegal : 5 points
3. Guinea : 4 points
4. Mauritania : 3 points

Women

Results:

Game n1. Guinea vs Mali : 32-75 (11-38)
Game n2. Mali vs Guinea: 42-33 (20-14)

Final Standings:

1. Mali : 4 points
2. Guinea : 2 points


Mali and Guinea will represent the zone 2 at the 10th edition of African U18 Championships for women to be held from 02nd to 10th October 2008 in Tunis, Tunisia.
Mali and Senegal will represent the zone 2 at the 16th edition of African U18 Championships for men to be held from 16th to 25th October 2008 in Cairo, Egypt.

RWANDA : Rusizi Silences Espoir

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

Espoir continued to show signs of vulnerability against the top sides after crumbling to a 72-85 defeat against Rusizi over the weekend.

Léon Ngaboyakema had 31 points, five rebounds and four assists to hand the western province club a strong start in this year's league campaign. Two other Rusizi players were in double figures.
Meanwhile, Jean de Dieu Umutoni top scored for Espoir with 21 points while Platini Gatete added 17. In a post game comment, Rusizi's coach Pierre Kiza said that the guys wanted a good start and they got it.
"It is always important to win away from home and we did that. And winning against a team like Espoir is a bonus for us because it raises our confidence," he said.
After the Espoir win, Rusizi who are only making their second appearance in the league also registered a convincing 78-59 win over struggling Basketball United Generation (UGB).
The win left Rusizi level with APR and Espoir on points, although the latter have played more games. Despite losing out to Rusizi, UGB had earlier broken their losing streak with a 54-47 win over hapless Kigali Institute of Education.
Although Marine overshadowed Rusizi's display after winning the 2007 league, statistics show that Rusizi had one of the best ever debut performances in the history of the league. The student-studded club reached the play-offs after out-playing the likes of APR.

League results
Espoir 72-85 Rusizi
UGB 54-47 KIE
UGB 59-78 Rusizi

TANZANIA : Arusha Kings in Dire Straights

by Victor Machota
Arusha

Arusha Kings may be reigning in Arusha but their pockets are empty.
The basketball team that had qualified for Muungano league in Zanzibar from May 17 has failed to make it to Zanzibar due to lack of funds.
The ZANTEL sponsored - league, however, went on as scheduled with Tanzania Mainland represented by three men's teams: Dodoma Spurs, ABC and Savio both from Dar es Salaam. Women had three teams taking part.
Zantel has set aside some Tsh.6.8 million for the winning teams in the competitions.
The King's leader, Elias Mwabukusi lamented last week that their team failed to get a sponsor to get them down to the Isles and hence had their place taken by a Dar es salaam team.
Mwabukusi said his team was now undergoing intensive training for the basketball intercity competitions due to take place in June in Dar es Salaam.

UGANDA : Warriors Get Fourth Straight Win

by Charles Mutebi
Kampala

KYAMBOGO Warriors extended their winning streak to four games with a 75 - 55 victory over Crane high at the weekend.

Steven Okias scored a game-high 26 points as the Warriors jumped to second position in the MTN/FUBA basketball league.
Warriors, with a game in hand on Miracle, are tied on 9 points but the latter have a superior points' difference.
On the heels of the two teams is Mogas Falcons with a haul of 8 points from five games.
KIU lead with 11 points from seven games.
Meanwhile, Sadolin Power made a winning return by beating Gulu Hawks 72-68.
Power had been given a break to recover from the death of their colleague and former MVP Wilbrod Oketcho.
But the Hawks were able to make up for that loss a day later with a 58 - 54 victory over the KCC Lions, who are without a win in five games.
Elsewhere, the UCU Canons' season continues to take setbacks as they suffered their fourth defeat in six games after their 83 - 76 loss to the Nkumba Marines.

MTN-FUBA League

Men
Hawks 58 Lions 54
Warriors 75 Crane high 55
Power 72 Hawks 68
Marines 83 Canons 76

Women
Rangers 60 Cubs 22
Canons 43 Lakers 23
A1 70 Bucks 60
Nabisunsa 56 Lakers 39

26 May 2008

CAMEROON : Who will be suiting up for the Indomitable Lions in Athens?

But the big question is: Will there be a national-team present in Athens at all?
There are no news at all regarding the needed budget which means no preparation camps, no money for flights and hotels and in the end no national-team in Greece, which would be the worse-case-scenario.

Let's assume the government sends a team to Greece in the very last minute (Which I would bet my money on), who would be part of the team?

It took me some time to compromise a list, here are the possibilities:

Guards:

Parfait Bitee (4,1 ppg 1,6 apg in Angola 2007), who was recruited by Adingono during his time at Rhode Island (Averaged 11,8 points and 4,7 assists in his senior season), should receive a call-up for Athens. But he would probably not be available for a potential camp in June if he works out with a couple of NBA-teams due to the upcoming NBA draft. If he makes it in time for Greece, he may showcase his skills in front of European scouts which may leads to a job in Europe if the NBA is not calling (Which is likely according to most draft-related websites).

Patrick Bouli (9,2 ppg 2 spg in Angola) of Manhattan University should also be in the mix. Pat was instrumental in the quarter-final winner over the Ivory Coast, but had a forgettable college basketball-season in New York, seeing his numbers decreasing (Averaged 6,3 ppg as a freshman in 31,4 mpg - last season he recorded 3,5 ppg in 21,4 minutes per game...) and just scoring 39 % of your field goals does not really gives him the edge over Bitee.

Joachim Ekanga Ehawa (9,7 ppg in Angola) is a much needed veteran on the shooting guard-spot with plenty of experience which he gained in numerous seasons in France. Played Pro A this year (Chalone-sur-Saone) where he played off the bench (2,5 ppg and 2 rpg 29% FG) after being a starter in his last four season in Pro B where he always scored in double digits.

Saidou Njoya has been scouted by the NBA thanks to his appearance in an Adidas camp in the US but failed to crack the rotation in Nancy and left for Norrköpping in Sweden where he got significant playing time in five games (8,2 ppg ; 4,2 apg) before returning back to Nancy.

Cyrille Etogo Makanda did not see a lot of minutes in the Russian Super League and in the FIBA Europe Cup behind the three import players in Samara (Makanda is dual-citizen, holding also a Russian passport) and therefore had a disappointing season.

Christian Bayang (6,2 ppg in Angola) is a mostly unknown but talented guard from Yaounde where plays and studies at BEAC , a Cameroonian hotbed for basketball talents. Played his part in Angola and deserves another chance to showcase his skills to a wider audience.

Franck Ndongo does not see any key minutes at Virginia Commonwealth in the U.S. which hurts definitely his productivity and may cost him a place on the roster.

Jean-Pierre Ellong is the other talented guard from BEAC who was also part of the team in Angola, but may be not ready yet for the competition in Athens.


Forwards:

Brice Vounang (12,3 ppg 7,0 rpg in Angola), a power forward with a promising college-career (San Diego), is in his second year in Rouen (Pro B France) and comes from the bench to average around 10 points and five rebounds after a stronger first season (14,6 ppg and 7,7 rpg) there.
Still, his team is doing better now and is facing Besancon in the Pro B play-offs. He is a definite fixture (Captain of the team) due to his good performance in Angola.

Luc Richard Mbah A Moute (13,2 ppg 6,8 rpg in Angola) reached one more time the NCAA Final Four with UCLA and should be a starter for Coach Adingono. No need to explain that he may be one of the smartest defenders around and that he is still developing his shooting skills to be a lock in the NBA Draft.

Gaston Essengue (10,5 ppg 4,5 rpg in Angola) made the Sweet 16 with UNLV last year but has failed to get any attention in the professional ranks while playing or not playing due to injuries at Mutlu Aku Selcuk University in Turkey. Gaston is facing a lot of rivalry for a possible roster-spot in Athens, but due to his strong outing in Angola, may suit up in Greece again.

Stephane Pelle is maybe the strongest player on the forward spot if not the team due to his experience, and his rebounding and scoring skills should boost the teams' chances to win significantly. Had another strong season in Liege (Belgium) and averaged 12,4 ppg and 7,4 rpg in the regular season.

Victor "Mystic" Samnick should also be added to the squad. He is a force in the paint and knows how to score in variable ways.
Victor is currently in the semi-finals with Nancy in the French Pro A and is one of the key players on the team there.

Joseph Mbang finished his senior-year in Rhode Island while averaging 6,3 ppg and 4,1 rpg for the Rams. With a good outing in Athens, Mbang may sign a good deal in Europe. But first, he has to make the national-team, which is not easy due to a lot of quality on the

Harding Nana just finished his season in the Polish league finals with Turow, but was used solely from the bench (8 mpg) for the runner-ups in the Polish championship.

Serge Angounou had a solid season (5,5 ppg) in the D-League with Albuquerque (Lost in the finals to Idaho) but visa trouble may force him to stay in the US.

Alex N'kembe is a 1,98m small forward who played also for Cameroon in Angola and currently for La Rochelle Rupella in France's Nationale 2.Has some valuable experience in professional basketball (France and Switzerland) but is more of a role player on the national-team.

Steve Tchiengang played together with Wangmene at Cypress Christian High School in Texas before transferring to Montverde Academy, where Mbah A Moute among others evolved. He is set to play at Vanderbilt (NCAA) in the upcoming season which could force him not to attend any other activities in this summer. He may not be ready for the international stage at the moment as well.

Wilfred Fameni had also a mediocre senior-season at Virginia Commonwealth by averaging 4,5 points and 3,8 rebounds per game for the Rams.
Fameni would sneak into the team if the players mentioned above decide not to go.

Centers:

Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje of Oldenburg provides NBA experience if selected. Is going to marry soon, so I have no idea if he is going to be available. Not a scorer but a reliable team-player who is loved by the fans.

Joseph Owona (4,8 ppg 6,3 rpg in Angola) is another bulky veteran on the squad who is having a career in the lower leagues in France.
Plays around 20 minutes for Bordeaux in each game and is posting solid numbers (11,5 points, 7,2 rebounds and 2,6 blocks) in Nationale 1, the third French division.

Alfred Aboya reached together with Mbah a Moute the Final Four but played off the bench and averaged 2,9 ppg and 2,2 rpg in limited minutes for the Bruins. Alf should be used in a smaller line-up on the center-spot. Aboya may not return to UCLA and may opt to pursue a career in politcs.Athens would be a perfect fit to study the history of democracy...

Herve Djoumbi finished his season in Belgium with Leuven where scored 2,9 ppg in limited action. Knows the European game well, as he played several years in Lithuania, Russia and Belgium and should be a good addition to the roster.

Alexis Wangmene played off the bench as a freshman for the Texas Longhorns. Is probably not a perfect fit (Only 2,03m but has a great wingspan) to play the center-spot against bigger teams, but is known for rebounding which would may help down the stretch.

My "picks" for Athens probably would be:

Guards:
Bitee, Boli, Ekanga-Ehawa, and Makanda
Forwards:
Mbah a Moute, Essengue, Pelle, Vounang and Samnick
Centers:
Boumtje Boumtje, Wangmene and Owona

It would be a mix of youth and experience and Cameroon would have some players that know the European and the American competitions well. Several players on the squad are able to score and are known for rebounding and defense, while I may see problems on the guard positions, as Bitee and Boli never played against such strong competition internationally and maybe struggle against the likes of Planinic, Barea and Arroyo.
If Boumtje Boumtje decides not to attend, the team may lack height, especially against Croatia which is stacked with tall players.

Cameroon will still fight for the last tickets to Bejing, that's for sure, and that hopefully with the best team available.

by fiba.com

UGANDA : Marines hand Canons fourth loss

by Bashaija & Kigongo
Kampala

RESULTS
Hawks 68-76 Power
Crane High 55-75 Warriors
Canons 76-83 Marines
Hawks 58-54 KCC Lions

WOMEN
KIU 60-22 Muk Cubs
UCU Ladies 43-23 Victoria

The absence of star shooter Salim Ali (suspended for four games) could not deter Nkumba Marines from handing Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons a fourth League defeat.

The former champions beat Canons 83-76. Canons star guard Ivan Enabu sunk 17 points, but Marines had a better collective effort, with four players in double figures. Julius Lutwama had a game high 18 points while Carl Mugalu added 16 with Paul Mwaka and Boniface Okello contributing 15 and 14 points respectively.

Sadolin Power, who were playing for the first time since the death of Wilbrod Oketcho 11 days ago, recorded a morale boosting 76-68 victory over Gulu Hawks in Gulu on Saturday.In the women’ league, A1 Challenge maintained their perfect start with a 70-60 win over Lady Bucks and KIU Rangers romped to a 60-22 win over minnows Makerere Cubs. Victoria Lakers lost 39-56 to school-side Nabisunsa.

SEYCHELLES : Baya choke Solomon and Cobras, HotShots take care of Stars

HE going got tough for Premium Cobras on Saturday at the Palais des Sports and go-to-guy Alao Solomon just could not cope with the pressure.
The Nigerian utility player was a shadow of the player Premium Cobras’ fans had known him to be in previous matches he has played. Baya got a deserved win on a 71-59 score on the day in a Men’s Division One match which did not live up to expectations.

Earlier in the day, HotShots used a huge fourth-quarter performance during which they outscored Anse Etoile Stars to hand the Women’s defending champions their first loss.

Premium Cobras 59 … Baya 71

Baya came into the game with one thing in mind: shut out Nigerian Solomon and stop him from getting the ball to attack the basket – both in the paint and from distance shooting.

They were successful as their game plan worked effectively, despite a poor start. The Cobras, who had won their previous five games, led 9-0 before Baya got on the scoreboard through a centre Robert Léon free throw.
Baya’s Léon (no. 11) attacks the hoop unchallengedCoach Guy Hall’s team held a four-point – 14-10 – advantage at the end of the first quarter but Baya shot into the lead for the first tine in the match at 25-23 on a Hendricks Denis 3-pointer with 2 minutes 50 seconds (2:50) left to play in the second 10-minute spell.
At half-time, Baya had improved their margin to five points – 30-25 – after outscoring Premium Cobras 20-11.
Expected to pose the biggest danger to Baya, but unable to get the kind of freedom the other teams gave him in the first five games during which he averaged 42 points, Solomon looked frustrated.
He questioned a number of the referees’ calls as did their bench and he left the court with only 3:07 played in the third quarter after being hit with a blocking foul – his fifth of the encounter. As he left the court, he threw his shirt to the floor and kicked it. He left the game with just 14 points – a team-high despite it being way too low from his high-scoring performances. The least points the Nigeria player had scored in a single match before Saturday is 34 against Cascade Bullets. His highest-scoring game was against Beau Vallon Heat when he got a season-high 49 points.
With no one to step up in Solomon’s absence, Baya went to work, winning the third quarter 26-18 for a 56-43 score.
Although the Cobras edged Baya 16-15 in the fourth quarter, coach Michel Malbrook’s team, who had killed off the contest in the second and third quarters, are back in the title hunt and leave defending champions PLS Hawks as the only unbeaten team.
Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille scored a game-high 21 points, including five 3-points – one short of the season-high six treys held by Premium Cobras’ Solomon and Baya’s international playmaker Giovanni Laval.
The other player to score five 3-pointers in a match this season is PLS Hawks’ veteran small forward Heribert Derjacques.
Denis and Léon added 14 points apiece fort Baya, while Seychelles power forward Dominic Pillay was Premium Cobras’ only other player in double figures with 13 points.

Anse Etoile Stars 46 … HotShots 57

They achieved the same feat last season only to lose by a bigger margin difference to the defending champions in the second leg encounter. This time HotShots do not want history to repeat itself because they know they can decide their destiny.

“We’ve done it. We won by an 11-point margin – a much bigger margin than last year. It HotShots’ Solin (dribbling) scored a game-leading 18 points in the 57-46 win over Starsputs us in a good situation and we hope to make the league title ours this year,” said HotShots captain and centre Tina Agathine after Saturday’s 57-46 win.
The victory came a day after HotShots’ Seychelles international player Beguitta Fontaine gave birth to a baby girl.
Trailing by four points – 31-35 – at the end of the third quarter, HotShots doubled their determination in the fourth during which they scored 26 points – 12 of those through international power forward Myra Solin who finished with a game-leading 18 points.
With four treys for 12 of her 16 points, Jenita Toussaint was HotShots’ second best scorer, while Agathine added 13.
The Anse Boileau-based team, who lost the second quarter 9-21, won the first, third and fourth 10-9, 12-5 and 26-11 respectively to bring their points tally to six.
Skipper Simone Malbrook had the hot hands for the Stars with 16 points and Geneviève Beaudoin added 13.
Meanwhile, in another women’s league match played last week, Mont Fleuri got 26 points from skipper Bernadette Songor in a 74-35 defeat of Cadettes who were led in scoring by Veena Panagary with 15 points, including four treys.

In two Men’s Division Two matches, RA Herons beat AAP Brothers 62-58 and LMS Youth defeated Cadets 70-56.

G. G.

CAPE VERDE : Seven Stars Won their International Tournament

by Pedro Gomes

Seven Stars won, Sunday, the International tournament, they hosted this weekend in Praia, in commemoration of their 30th anniversary, 150 years of the city Praia. With two victories in as many games, against Pantera Negra (66-62) and the professional team of Angola, Desportivo de Huila club (80-69), the young Seven Stars team managed to win this international level tournament.
Seven Stars won, Sunday, the International tournament, they hosted this weekend in Praia, in commemoration of their 30th anniversary, 150 years of the city Praia.
With two victories in as many games, against Pantera Negra (66-62) and the professional team of Angola, Desportivo de Huila club (80-69), the young Seven Stars team managed to win this international level tournament.
The Angolan team had to settle for second, since they beat Predio, 85 to 62, in the inaugural day of the tournament.
Predio finished third, with a victory against Pantera Negra, from the island of Sal (73-67), and a loss against Desportivo da Huila 85 to 62.
The international Cape Verdean player, Ivan Almeida (197-F-89), 19 years old, won the MVP of the tournament. Ivan scored 31 points against Huila to help Seven win.

by africabasket.com

TANZANIA : NBA Duo Expected in Arusha Next Month

by Suleiman Jongo

American basketball duo of Dikembe Mutombo who features for Houston Rockets and Kulenna Azubuike of Golden Star Warriors, are expected in the country early next month.
The NBA regular players have been included in the American delegates who are heading to Arusha to attend the Sullivan Summit scheduled for June 2-6.
According to the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) secretary general Lawrence Cheyo, the duo will also take time to interact with basketball officials and players in Tanzania
"We have been informed of NBA players' impending tour and we take no chances to capitalize on their tour that will certainly be beneficial for us in terms of the game's promotion," said Cheyo.
He said TBF has already communicated with their basketball counterparts in Arusha who will receive the NBA duo upon arrival.
Cheyo said their visit would have a positive impact on local based players who wish to develop a professional players.
Some of the delegates who will be attending the Arusha's Sullivan Summit are also expected to extend their stay in the country to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, visit national parks and other tourist destinations.

NIGERIA : Organisers Warn Schools, Officials

by Ishola Bashir

Organisers of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, Nigeria Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) in conjunction with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have warned schools and their officials to desist from cheating as those caught will be severely dealt with.

National co-ordinator of the championship, Col. Sam Ahmedu, said that all the schools have been warned not to field non-students in their matches."We will not take it lightly with those found cheating during the championship. We have warned them and we are going to be strict with our rules and regulations.
"We don't want cheating and we have said this all over again. It is purely a schools championship meant for students still in schools and not those that have passed out", he said.

Meanwhile, the conference finals of this year's championship will take-off on Sunday, June 1, with the Savannah conference billed for Kano.

25 May 2008

MOROCCO : Play-off Quarter Finals Results

In group 1, despite winning ASS with 13 points and IRT with 10 points at home, FUS could not qualified to the next round. With 25 points difference home win over FUS, ASS insured its qualification to the semi-finals.
The season has ended for FUS, while IRT and ASS are still in the road of the 2008 championship.

In group 2, after winning their game, WAC already earned her semi-final ticket. Things are not easier for RCA and MAS who will have to play this weekend for the next round qualification.

MOROCCO : News from Morocco

Excellent season so far for MAS! With the Kings Cup Trophy in their hand, and their good tournament in the 21st Arab Clubs Championship (being the first Moroccan teams ever qualified to the second round), MAS players and coach are pretty confident for the play-off.

MAS' coach has been approached from the Federation for coaching the men national team. Coach Ait Ouali decided to concentrate with his team for the moment and will take his decision at the end of the season.

Play-off time in Morocco Division 1! 6 teams will compete in two different groups for the semi-finals spots.
Group 1: RCA, MAS, WAC
Group 2: IRT, FUS, ASS

Coach Khalil Rouas has been appointed National Tecnical Director of the Moroccan Federation FRMBB.

EGYPT : khaled hamdy kills Zamalek dreams in the last second

Gezira 85-83 Zamalek,Gezira won over Zamalek after a wonderfull game last night. The battle ended in the last second by a 2 point shot from Khaled Hamdy (Gezira)who gave his team a 2 games lead before the second round in Cairo starts on the 29th. Zamalek players were back by 11 po. with only 2 min to go.Zamalek hard spirit helped them to come back with an 11-0 run to tide it to 83-83 with 19 sec. remaining. Gezira players kept passing the ball till the last second when the brave man khaled hamdy made his shot to kill Zamalek dreams.Marvin black(ZAM) performed well with 26 po.,hoseiny samir(ZAM) 21 po. Also Ramy guinedy(GSC) 18 po. Danny johnson(GSC) 18 po, M.ElKerdany(GSC) 17 Po.

24 May 2008

RWANDA : Espoir in payback mood

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

Espoir have everything to play for today when they host Rusizi at Rafiki in one of this weekend’s national basketball league fixtures.
The 2004 champions currently trail CSK A and APR after suffering a humiliating 42-81 defeat against the latter two weeks ago.
However, after leading the club to compelling victories against Basketball United Generation (UGB) and Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), Espoir will again look for inspiration from their shooting guard Claude Bizimungu.
And despite a lukewarm display against KIE, Valery Uwineza, arguably one of the most experienced players in the league is confident is team can deliver.
"Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t but hopefully, we shall have a positive result against Rusizi," Uwineza said before conceding, "Rusizi are a good side and we should expect a big fight from them".
On the other hand, Rusizi who had an imposing league debut last year after reaching the play-offs are also looking to carry on with that form when they open their 2008 campaign today.
The southern province club had last Sunday’s league tie against defending champions Marine called off.

At Amahoro, a tough contest is anticipated as UGB face KIE.
The two clubs are yet to win a league game in the 2008 campaign which explains why they are currently clogged at the foot of the league table.
A good result for UGB today will be good motivation for them when they host Rusizi Lycee de Kigali tomorrow.

KENYA : League champions and leaders KCB entertain Strathmore at Nyayo gym

By Dann O’werre

NATIONAL champions and leaders Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Lions battle Strathmore University in a Premier League basketball tie at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium this afternoon.
The bankers, who have roared to the top of the chart in their best start in years, are unbeaten in four matches.

They should continue their sterling run against the Blades who have bagged four points from one win and two losses.
Tobias Onyango, Eric Omari, Dennis Opiyo and Victor Odendo should prove a handful for the students whose coach, Tony Ochieng, promised six wins in the first leg. However, they have only beaten Java Warriors. It will be real test for Ken Maru and Paul Nyakinda.
International Christian Centre (ICC), shut out 79-62 by Kisumu Lakeside last weekend, will have to be at their best against Kenyatta University (KU) who lost to Lions 57-72. In Adams Njoroge, Emmanuel Ekai and Vito Khote, ICC have players who can deliver.
Tomorrow, former champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya return to meet ICC in a game they are well placed to win. Cliff Ochieng, George Kamau and Horace Nyadera should lead the bankers who are second in the table standings with five points from three games.
KU’s Griffin Ligare and Paul Dinga were in sparkling form when they guided the side to a 58-55 win over rivals University of Nairiobi Terrorists.

Whether they repeat feat against Abel Nson and United States International University (USIU) remains to be seen.
Last year’s play-off finalists Usiu women are without a win and are having it rough after two matches so far. They tackle on-form Sprite Storms who have played three matches, winning all, and are lying second after Eagle Wings who have eight points.

Evlyne Norah has taken the scoring Flames’ responsibility in her hands, but against Storms she will find Angela Luchivya, Emma Nyakweba and Carl Ouma battling her.

In the lower division, Blazers’ quest for top spot will be tested today as they confront Lomboritz in what should be a close fight. Both teams are playing well and have proved they will be gunning for nothing short of the top league next year.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology have a date with struggling Africa Nazarene University who have lost all their matches. They also play Nairobi Pentecostal Church in their second match of nine matches on card.

23 May 2008

NIGERIA : Police mount road-block against Raptors

by Olusegun Ikuesan

Police Bombers basketball club will on Saturday take on Raptors basketball club in a Lagos City league pairing. The Bombers coached by Mark Balogun (ASP) knows what is at stake if they must progress in the league as any slip to the Charles Ibeziakor tutored Raptors could spell doom to their playoff ambition. The Bombers Vs Raptors game comes up 13.30 hours at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium.

Police Bombers basketball club will on Saturday take on Raptors basketball club in a Lagos City league pairing.
The Bombers coached by Mark Balogun (ASP) knows what is at stake if they must progress in the league as any slip to the Charles Ibeziakor tutored Raptors could spell doom to their playoff ambition.
The Bombers Vs Raptors game comes up 13.30 hours at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium.
Three matches were decided in the Lagos City League Thursday; Whales basketball club played the game of its live to survive the foray of Ikorodu Kings with a 56-54 points victory.
Premier League side Islanders basketball club out-dunked young Rookie Academy by 73-51 points, and even in defeat the young lads of coach Mark Balogun gave themselves pass mark as no one expected them to play the way they did against their more exposed opponent.
Peter Odia, Yemi Makanjuola and Emmanuel Balogun were outstanding on the Rookie line-up as they were bold enough to confront the Ogoh Odaudu tutored Islanders.
Union Bank basketball club recorded one of the easiest win of the day with an 85-40 points spanking of Flames basketball club.

..We are ready for Union Bank, says Customs Players

Nigeria Customs Service basketball club have set a must win target for their Saturday Atlantic conference premier league pairing against Union Bank basketball club in Lagos.
The Elder Gyang Buba Border Boy as the Customs are often referred to says nothing will stop them from taking the bankers who manage a 78-76 points victory over Dodan Warriors Tuesday to the cleaner.
And in far away Asaba Ebun Comets basketball club of Lagos will be the guest of Delta Force basketball club at the sports hall of the Asaba Township stadium.
The Warri-based Delta Force who is dreaded at home due to the non-availability of 24 seconds clock and visible electronic score-board must be ready with all the tricks they can muster to outwit a rejuvenated Comets as Dennis Ebikoro is set to lead the Ayo Bakare coached team challenge against the Force opposition.
Three games are on the bill in the Savannah conference of the premier league and this will see Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi playing at home to Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos on Saturday.

Conference league leader, Niger Potters basketball club of Minna battles AHIP Giant basketball club of Kano and on Sunday Bauchi Net will entertain its fans when it take on Kano Pillars basketball club in what promises to be a thriller.

SIERRA LEONE : YSC, YMCA in Play-Off Semi

By Sahr Morris Jr (The Concord)

YSC and YMCA will challenge each other today in the Western Area Basketball Association (WABA) at the National Stadium Basketball court in the best of three semi final playoff.

According to WABA organizing secretary, Alhaji Haroun Sesay four teams, YSC, YMCA, Canon Royals, and Central Phoenix, made it to the semi finals after a hectic first round competition Canon Royals will also engage Central Phoenix in the second match of the day.
Sesay revealed that the teams will play each other three times.
'If any team wins two matches they will automatically qualify to the play off finals which will also be played on best of three,' Sesay said.
He also revealed that WABA has held a day seminar with the clubs where explained the game new rules.
Sesay warned none semifinalist players, officials and fans that they (WABA) will not tolerate any ball in the court except the playing teams.

How they qualified to semi finals YSC 6. Bel - Air Canon Royals 7. Forceans YMCA 8. Ashonix Central Phoenix 9. Freetown Lakers Lumley Dreams 10. Dinka B

KENYA : Two Premier League encounters postponed

By Dann O’Werre

Two Premier League basketball games slated for Mombasa this weekend have been postponed.
Joseph Amoko, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) fixtures secretary, told SportFest on Thursday that University of Nairobi teams would not travel to Mombasa. They were due to play Kenya Ports Authority at Makande Welfare hall.
"The officials have asked for postponement as they could not travel to Mombasa. We understand their case and have postponed the matches," Amoko said.
The rest of the weekend fixtures in Nairobi, he said, will go on as programmed at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
After the weekend games, the league takes a two-week break to resume on June 14.

Meanwhile, the Madaraka Open tournament has been moved back to its traditional venue of Kakamega, officials confirmed.
Henry Shihemi, the KBF vice-chairman, said they had decided to remove the event from Meru where it was held for the first time last year. The event will be staged between May 31 and June 1 at Kakamega Police Canteen courts.

KBF Eastern branch will also have theirs, according to secretary, Ambrose Kisoi. It will be sponsored by Mkebwa, a non-profit organisation and it will be held at Kenya Methodist University.
The tournament is open to clubs, colleges and universities and will have a prize money of Sh20,000 for the winners, Sh15,000 for runners-up and Sh10,000 for third placed.

In the schools’ category, the top three will get Sh10,000, Sh5,000 and Sh3,000.
Kisoi said entry fee is Sh1,500 for clubs, colleges and universities while schools will pay Sh1,000.
The venues are Kemu, Meru School, Kaaga Girls, Meru Teachers College, Meru Hospital and Meru Technical.

22 May 2008

EGYPT : Zamalek keeps chasing gezira to the top

Zamalek won last night their 3rd game easly over cominig Smouha by 20 points.Zamalek is getting to close to the top after the unexpected lose for gezira from Somouha in the first day in Alexandria.Friday will be the most amaizing day in the tournement with tow big games Ahly will try to struggle with the undefeated Zamalek while Itthad will try to Bandle with Gezira who is rising on the top for more than 2 month.No one can expect what will happen or ho will win but everyone is sure that friday games will be Amaizing.

RWANDA : Junior Basketball Qualifiers Switched

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

This year's junior African Cup of Nations basketball qualifiers/Africa Zone Five U-18 Championships have been further postponed.
After being moved from May to June, the latest reports indicate that the competition will now be held in August although the venue (Kampala) still remains unchanged.
"We have been informed that the tournament will be played in August but it is not clear why the dates have been once again switched," Jean Lucien Mugabo, the Secretary General of the local basketball federation said.
The changes however, will not affect the juniors' training schedule. According to Mugabo, the team's training schedule remains unchanged.
"The team has been training on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and it will stay that way for the time being," he clarified.
Ahead of the qualifiers scheduled for August 11-15, the 13-man team is being handled Kavedzija Vaceslave, the senior national team head coach.
Rwanda will play against Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea in a bid to qualify for the Africa U-18 Championships slated for October in Cairo, Egypt.
Being the hosts, Egypt have an automatic qualification into the continental showpiece while the other nine countries have to fight for the remaining one slot.
On the junior team's last outing, the team finished second after losing out to Egypt in the final of the ANOCA Games which were held in Nairobi in 2006.

KENYA : KCB Lions And Co-Op Bank Stay Dominant

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions and rivals Co-operative Bank have dominated proceeding since the beginning of the new basketball Premier League season.

The two local giants remain unbeaten after their first four matches so far this season.
They chalked up convincing wins last weekend, with KCB Lions beating Kenyatta University Pirates 72-57 and Co-op Bank beating Kisumu's Lakeside 64-52. Both matches were played at Nyayo Stadium.
The absence of experienced coach Francis Ngunjiri did not deter the Lions from harvesting maximum two points.
They remain at the top of the standings with eight points.
Tobias Onyango, Paul Onyango and John Njuguna set the ball rolling for Lions, under assistant coach George Owino. They led 21-12 in the first quarter.
The students were down 42-30 at half-time but Martin Obure and Griffins Ligare gave a good fight in the last quarter.
Onyango shot 13 points and Dennis Opiyo 12 for Lions while Phil Dinga scored 17 points and team-mate Obure 15 for the losers.
Emma Nyakweba scored 17 points while Irene Makori shot 13 as Sprite Storms beat Strathmore University 65-40.
The students had made a promising start through Grace Wanjiku and Berly Amayo to tie the scores 8-8 in the first quarter.
Strathmore recovered in the last quarter to lead 14-12 with Faith Owich replying with 10 points as Lucy Apondi had nine.
Coach Juma Kent of Eagle Wings was happy man after harvesting a 20-0 walk-over against Kisumu-based Cruisers, who failed to show up.
Eagle Wings are unbeaten in four matches.
Kisumu's Lakeside played well to silence their hosts International Christian Centre 79-62.
Absalom Ojiem, Chrispin Biko and Joshua Charles carried Lakeside. The winners led 32-27 at half-time.

10 early points

Ojiem scored 21 points, Biko and Charles each had 12 for Lakeside. Emmanuel Ekai scored 16 points, Adams Njoroge shot 15 and Vito Kote 11 for the losers.
On Sunday, Abel Kimondo and Bosire Bogonko led Co-op Bank in a 64-52 win over the hard-fighting Lakeside.
Wycliffe Ochieng fired 10 early points, while Allan Ouma and George Kamau also impressed Co-op Bank fans from start.
The duo's contributions saw Co-op Bank lead 17-10 in the first quarter with star Kimondo employing a tight defence.
Despite Charles Abuto and Dickson Masudi's aggressive offence, Lakeside trailed 35-22 at half-time.

21 May 2008

EGYPT : Somouha is killing big teams & Itthad is giving thier fans a big shock

Somouha with great performance killed Gezira and Ahly on the roll .They started with gezira by a killing shot in the last second to win 63-62.Then they beated Ahly last night 60-57 to reach the second win in alexandria with no defeat.Somouha played great defence agaist both teams depending on the big guy HONDRE BREWER who made an averrage of 5 blocks in the last couple of games.On the other hand Itthad failed to win any of the last tow games with Ahly and Zamalek giving thier fans a big shock.

CAPE VERDE : Praia to host International Tournament

The Seven Stars Club will host, next weekend, in the Vava Duarte Pavilion, in the city of Praia, an international tournament to celebrate their 30th anniversary since creation, and also the citys 150th anniversary.
According to the organizing committee, the event will count with the participation of Desportivo de Huila, who plays in the Angolan national championships, who is now coached by former Cape Verde national coach, Emanuel Trovoada, Mane.
The other teams that will participate in the tournament are Predio (from Santiago Island), Pantera Negra from Sal Island, and the host team.
The Schedule is set as follow: Seven Stars will open against Pantera Negra, on Saturday, and Predio will play Desportivo de Huila in the second game.
For the second round, Sunday, Predio plays Pantera Negra, while Seven Stars faces Desportivo de Huila to close the tournament. The winner will be determined by points.

GABON : 8th day of the elite National Championship: TOUNGUI BB explodes the favourite SOMO B 72-47

8th day of the elite National Championship: TOUNGUI BB explodes the favourite SOMO B 72-47
Eight better teams of Gabon play a championship named Elite National Championship. After the first phase Stade Mandji, Somo B, and Manga Basket are the three leaders.
At the Gymnasium last Saturday only one match was played of Libreville: TOUNGUI BB beat SOMO B on the score of 72-47. A shower for the team of the President NGALIBIKA. The best player was incontestably the 12 of TOUNGUI BB of RCA nationality. KOUZOU Jean Michel ;25 pts - 14 rbs.
Another match is played this Wednesday 21 May at the Gymnasium of Libreville: AOBB against TOUNGUI BB.
At the time of this truce of the first phase of the Elite National Championship, the FEGABAB allowed mutations to the club, called Mercato; It allowed certain club secured to recruit the foreign players of Senegal, Cameroon, of the RCA and the two CONGO.
This second phase will have a very elevated level; We attended a meeting of very high level between TOUNGUI BB and SOMO B, to-night it will be AOBB and TOUNGUI BB that are going to cross themselves; these meetings will allow clubs of the estuary to go in the competition, after having refused to participate in the Cup of Gabon that played with the Consecration of MANGA Basket.
We can affirm that spectators are going to attend the very committed matches at the time of this second phase that started: It will be necessary to a lot of concentrations and of rigors to referees, for better officer matches.

NIGERIA : Union Bank struggle to beat 8-man Dodan Warriors

The fortune of Union Bank basketball club receives a boost Tuesday night after it struggles to beat an 8-man Dodan Warriors basketball club in a Lagos City League pairing.

The week-3 pairing saw the bankers who before Tuesday has recorded three straight loses in the Premier league rose from a near defeat to upstaged the Edwin Jerry inspired Warriors who led the bankers until mid-way into the last quarter.
The Union Bank side was the preseason toast of fans due to the avalanche of quality players at their disposal, players who have played for the Nigeria national team at different levels but is not finding the going too good and smooth.
The Stallion Boy as the side is also known first taste the bitter pill of defeat in the hands of Islanders followed by another lose to Ebun Comets then Kano Pillars but manage a 78-72 points win over Dodan Warriors who could not feed a full squad due to complicity in its registration with the organizers of the City league.
The Coach Gboyega Vidal tutored Bankers will Thursday take on minor, Flames basketball club in a City league match considered by basketball enthusiasts as a warm-up game before its Premier league game against Nigeria Customs basketball club on Saturday in Lagos.
Friday Ujor a key player with the Union Bank says it is good to be back in winning ways.
Ujor a former Dodan Warriors forward says the entire team of the Bode Thomas, Lagos-based side was not happy with the series of loses it has recorded so far blaming it on ill luck.
The forward who is down with an injury plead with his colleague to return the club back to it former ways.

In the first City league pairing billed for Tuesday at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium, Warriors Academy will lock horn against its senior side Dodan Warriors basketball club at 12.00 hours.

The match will be a kind of test-case for coaches Peter Ahmedu and Adeka Daudu as the Academy head coach, Dosu Mensah commence his two-match ban imposed on him by organizers of the City league for misconducts, Ikorodu Kings basketball club will engage Whales basketball club at 13.30 hours while Islanders basketball club will do battle against Rookies Basketball Academy at 15.00 hours.

from africabasket.com

NIGERIA : LSBBA sanction Dodan Warriors coach, official

Over attack on Medical personnel, league secretary

The disciplinary committee of the Lagos State Basketball Association, LSBBA rose from a meeting last Friday and view the conduct of two officials of Dodan Warriors Basketball Project, Coach Dosu Mensah and Josiah Ahmedu.

The Committee headed by the association chairman, Babs Ogunade condemned the action of both officials for trying to bring the game into disrepute.

Coach Mensah who is the head coach of the Warriors Academy was banned for two matches involving either the Warriors Academy or Dodan Warriors for assaulting medical personnel on Sunday (May 11) who were attending to an injured player of the team, Coach Mensah was also found wanting a day after (May 12) when his side Warriors Academy failed to comply with registration procedure after repeated warning by providing the players' processed licenses.

The budding coach was also accused of insulting match officials on Monday (May 12) and kicking the substitution seat placed in front of the officiating table, the association therefore imposes a N10, 000 fine on him to serve as deterrent to others who may want to repeat such act, said Ogunade, LSBBA boss.

Josiah Ahmedu on his part was found wanting in his conduct by inciting Dodan Warriors basketball club players on Sunday (May 11) to go all out and 'kill' players of the opposing team (Islanders) in a Lagos City League game a statement the association did not take lightly accusing him of making statement that is capable of causing body harm to players on the court.

Ahmedu was banned for two matches from all matches involving the Dodan Warriors teams; he is also to pay a fine of N20, 000 to the coffer of the LSBBA for beating the City League Secretary on Tuesday (May 13).

LSBBA Chairman who is zone-1 representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, says all lovers of the game must work together for the good of the game and should refrain from acts that are capable of sending away fans and sponsors.
'The Association condemn indiscipline in all its ramification and anybody found whose action is capable of bringing the game into disrepute will not be spared.
'We all say we need the assistance of the corporate bodies in the country to come to the aid of basketball in particular and sports in general but who will want to associate with a sport were team officials have no regard for constituted authority or for other teams, Ogunade queried.
'We have to ask ourselves whether we like the state where the game is today or we want it to move forward.

KENYA : KBF wins Cup bid

By Dann O’were

Kenya will host the final tour of the 18th Africa Feminine Club Championship Basketball tournament in November.
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) secretary, Vitalis Gode, said the continental body Fiba Africa had finally given the green light. He said other bidders, Mali, were told to prepare for next year’s championship. The event, the first to be hosted by Kenya, is scheduled for between November 20 and 29 and will bring together 12 top clubs in Africa.
1st Desportivo of Mozambique are the defending champions having won the final at home in Maputo last year.
The KBF office was put to task during the team managers’ meeting at Kenya Commercial Bank Sports Club, Ruaraka, in April over participation in international tournaments. The officials wondered why Kenya has not hosted any of the African championships since the era of former chairman, Joseph Kimani.
The managers asked KBF to move quickly and contact Fiba headquarters. Kenya have never hosted the club show before despite being regular contenders. Pundits say this is a move in the right direction.
Kenya have successfully hosted two championships at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani — the Africa Masculine show in 1993 and the Africa Feminine Championship in 1997. The national teams finished fourth in both categories.
Kenya will be represented by national champions KCB Lions, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s team, who will be defending the title they won in Kigal, Rwanda, last year, and debutants United States International University Flames.
They will have to travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the Zone Five tournament in November. Gode said the dates would be announced later.
Last year, KPA represented the country in Mozambique were they finished eighth. The hosts, who had entered three teams, managed to sail to the semi-finals. 1st Desportivo beat compatriots Ispu to the diadem.

Gode said Kenya will also host the inaugural basketball for the deaf between October 28 and November 5.

ANGOLA : Petro's Coach Recognises 1º De Agosto's Superiority

The coach of the senior males basketball team of Petro de Luanda, Alberto de Carvalho "Ginguba", said on Tuesday, after the defeat of his team against 1º de Agosto (102-90), that they were unable to stop the dversary in the match of the third round of group A, in the last phase of the "final four" stage of the first division championship.

Speaking to the press, the manager justified the loss of his team by admitting the opponents were superior and also the incapability of Petro de Luanda to stop 1º de Agosto's impetus.
"( ) We didn't win the game because 1º de Agosto were better. Congratulations to them, but we keep on working for better performances in the next matches", he underlined by stressing that nothing is lost yet, despite the disadvantage.
"There are still three rounds left, I believe that if we correct the mistakes of today, we will be better in the other matches", he added.
Petro de Luanda have lost for the sixth time against 1º de Agosto in the National Championship, having only beaten the adversary once.

This is the first game out of four matches for this phase of the competition.
These two teams are to face each other again on 27 May in Luanda's Cidadela main pavilion.

ANGOLA : 1º De Agosto Defeat Petro in a Spectacular Night

n a night full of slam dunks, and three- points shots and other performances that turned the game in a show, 1º de Agosto defeated Petro de Luanda by 102-90 on Tuesday, at Luanda's Rio Seco Pavilion, and finished on top of the first round of the national basketball senior male championship's final phase.
1º de Agosto ended this round in superiority, with the player Francisco Jordão as best scorer with 25 points, followed by his colleague Kikas Gomes 19, while Carlos Morais scored 17 points.
Mingas and Bonifácio with 15 points each were the best scorers for Petro de Luanda.
1º de Agosto leader the competition with six points, with Petro in second position with five.
The next game between these rival teams is scheduled for May 27, in Luanda's Cidadela Pavilion.

UGANDA : Power Yet to Recover From Oketcho Demise

by Charles Mutebi
Kampala

SADOLIN Power have asked the basketball federation to give them some time to recover from the loss of their former player Wilbrod Oketcho, writes Charles Mutebi.
Power return to MTN-FUBA League action for the first time today against UCU Canons since the passing of legend Oketcho.
Oketcho, who was the most important player for Power for the better part of his decade-long stint with the club, died last Wednesday and was buried on Saturday in Tororo.
Now Power start life after Oks - as he was endearingly known to his team-mates - but team captain and long time friend of the late says there could be nothing harder at the moment.
"It's very tough," said Isaac Afidra. "Since Tuesday last week, no one on the team has touched a ball. The guys don't even want to be around YMCA (the team's training court) because we have failed to come to terms with Oks' death," he added.
Afidra, who explained that he personally didn't want to look at anything basketball related like his snickers because he immediately broke down in tears, wished there was a way Power could be given time to recuperate from the loss.
"I would rather the federation gives us time to recover because we are all still heartbroken," Afidra said adding that they were going to attend the match but winning it was the last thing on their mind.
"We will play but only because it's a fixture we have to honour," Afidra lamented.

20 May 2008

CAPE VERDE : Fiorentina Santo Antao Regional Champions

Fiorentina won the Santo Antao Region championship, Saturday, by beating Maritimo for the second time in playoffs.
In the first game, played last week, Fiorentina beat Maritimo 84 to 28, and in the second game, Saturday, 54 to 28. This showed, clearly the level of play between these two teams.
And also the lack of investment in the sport, in the Island.
Fiorentina, also, won the Opening Tournament, at the beginning of the season. The Santo Antao champions will now represent the island in the National championships.

SEYCHELLES : Hawks stay unbeaten, Bullets stop losing skid, Rockets win

PLS HAWKS used a big fourth-quarter performance to beat Angels 104-80 to stay unbeaten in five games, while Cascade Bullets stopped a three-game losing skid with an 86-78 defeat of Praslin Warriors.

The two games were played at Victoria Gymnasium last Saturday – the same day MBU Rockers beat RC Dynamics 83-75.
Defending League and Cup champions PLS Hawks, who finished runners-up to three-time champions MBC Sebam of Madagascar in this year’s 16th Indian Ocean Club Championship in Mauritius, distanced themselves from Angels in the fourth quarter, which they won 35-12.
They lost 24-27 after the first 10-minute spell, but recovered to clinch the second and third 20-19 and 25-22 to lead 69-68 at the end of 30 minutes of play.
Rodney Lozé scored 26 points, Neddy ‘Oye’ Fanchette got 21 and Heribert Derjacques added 19, including five 3-pointers – one short of the season-high six treys held by Premium Cobras’ Nigerian Alao Solomon and Baya’s international playmaker Giovanni Laval.
The Hawks are on a maximum 10 points after five wins, while Angels have seven points after two wins and three losses.
Coach Grégoire Scholastique’s Cascade Bullets also left it late against Praslin Warriors.
They trailed by seven points – 59-66 – at the end of 30 minutes of play, but made up for the latest disappointments with a big fourth-quarter performance of 27-12 for an 86-78 victory.
The win was the Bullets’ second in seven games and they have nine points, while the Warriors boast eight points after two victories and four losses.
In the day’s other match, Cyril Agrippine (26 points) and playmaker Nigel Sinon (30 points) combined for 56 of MBU Rockers’ points in an 83-75 victory over RC Dynamics.
Like PLS Hawks and Cascade Bullets, the Rockers also took the initiative in the fourth quarter which they won 28-19 after being led by a point – 56-55 – at the end of the third quarter.
Current runners-up MBU Rockers have 11 points after five wins and a loss, the same total as leaders Baya.
As for RC Dynamics, they are fifth with nine points after an even win-lose record of 3-3.
Meanwhile, Mont Fleuri defeated RA Sisters 51-33 for their first win in three matches in the women’s league last week to shoot to fourth position in the six-team standings with four points.
RA Sisters lead the table with six points after two wins and two defeats.
In three Men’s Division Two games, Mont Fleuri Dawgz beat RA Herons 70-55, Pointe Larue Falcons trounced Fire Brigade 91-47 and Anse Etoile defeated RA Rockets 75-70.

G. G.

NIGERIA: Pillars End Trip, Yelwa Hawks Win

BY Pius Ayinor
LagoS

Kano Pillars completed their Road Trip matches by the weekend in Lagos with a huge win over Union Bank Club. The game ended 71-67 in favour of the visiting Pillars who spent the whole of last week playing in Lagos.
"We are satisfied the way things happened down here. These players worked and we got a good outing on the road but we'll still have a lot of work to do. My big men could not score and that was a huge problem depending so much on perimeter points to survive," Coach Sani Ahmed of the Pillars said before embarking on the long journey back to Kano.
The Union Bank team is highly rated and so they were clearly pre-match favourites before the jump ball late Saturday. The Lagos team had opened the game as expected by fans at the National Stadium, Lagos but things soon changed when the Pillars Ibrahim Adamu Yusuf opened series of three pointers shooting 10 times eventually with his opponents unable to box him out.
Kano Pillars began the trip last week from Asaba where they were awarded the game over Delta Force. The hosts discontinued with the game at the buzzer with scores at 55-55 and Pillars going to the free throw line. In all Pillars won three matches and lost the same number in the Atlantic Conference.
When the tour moved to Lagos, they also beat Lagos Islanders but lost to the Warriors, the Customs who beat them 38-34 and then lost 70-63 to the Comets. The Comets, however, lost a match three days later to the Lagos Islanders team. The match which was played on Sunday as part of the Lagos City League ended 72-68 for the Comets. It is the second loss for the Comets to the Islanders this season in both the Premier and City Leagues.
In the Bauchi it was a local derby triumph for Yelwa Hawks who defeated Bauchi Nets 65-60 in a match played over the weekend also.
"It was their day. They had a good game and won the match. I believe they are really putting their acts together," Lawan Garba of the Nets told THISDAY.
It was a game highly celebrated by Yelwa fans who want get free of the dominance of Nets at the centre. The Yelwa Hawks team are seen as a stronger team than their city rivals.

RWANDA : CSK a Go Top

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

CSK A climbed to the top of the 2008 national basketball league table after Saturday's 86-58 win over Rwanda National University.
Rwanda's shooting guard Gerol Ndugu led the way with 30 points, six rebounds and four assists as last year's losing finalists wrapped up their third straight win in as many games this year.
Olivier Kanamugire added 23 points for CSK A while Eric Rwakayiro top scored for UNR with 16 points. In the other game, Claude Bizimungu and Emmanuel Uwinoni overshadowed their star player Valery Uwineza to top score for Espoir.
Bizimungu scored 22 points while Uwinoni added 16 to impel Espoir to a 92-68 win over Kigali Institute of Education, their second of the season.
The result also maintain KIE's horrendous run in the league. After five attempts, the institute team is yet to win a league game.
And while the UGB-APR tie was called off following the death of a UGB club member, it is still not clear why the Rusizi-Marine game was not played although sources close to Times Sport say that it has something to do with some new Marine signings.

UGANDA : Hatima Shines As A1 Humiliates Crane High

by Charles Mutebi
Kampala

KASSIM Hatima led unbeaten A1 Challenge past Crane high with a season-high 34 points that extended her team's perfect run in the ladies MTN basketball league to five wins.
A1 were without key players Elizabeth Kizza and Aggie Nantongo, but that did not save their high school rivals from the mauling with Hatima coming close to Cranes' total score.
Mavita Ali chipped in with nine points for A1. The win put A1 in second position on the table, one behind KIU Rangers, who have played a game more.
Flavia Oketcho continued her impressive return for the UCU Canons after missing the first three games of the season, scoring 22 points as they overwhelmed the Amazon Rhinos. Lorraine Akenyi added 15 as the university side won their third consecutive game to climb to fourth place on the national league table standings.
Trials for players selected to make the Ugandan team that will compete in the Zone V Under-18 qualifiers in August were conducted at the UCU in Mukono over the weekend.
Sixty-nine boys and girls of the originally selected 70 turned up for the two-day trials which were supervised by ten local coaches and three league players.
Each coach will draft his most preferred 15 players for both the girls and the boys teams before they meet to decide on the final squads to the qualifiers.
Uganda will host the qualifiers for the Africa national U-18 championships to be held in Egypt later this year.

19 May 2008

TANZANIA : BD sets deadline for regional tourney

By Renatha Msungu

The Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD) has set May 31 as the last date for teams to confirm their participation in the East and Central Africa Inter-Cities Basketball championship.
The event will be staged in Dar es Salaam from June 24-28 at the Indoor Stadium.
BD president Simon Msofe said over the weekend that the teams which would not meet the deadline would be kept at bay.
He said 10 cities had so far confirmed their participation including defending champions Nairobi of Kenya.
He named others as hosts Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha (Tanzania), Mombasa (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Lusaka (Zambia).
Lusaka and Addis Ababa will compete for the first time.

NIGERIA : Pillars shock Union Bank, as Islanders beat Comets

Kano Pillars basketball club last weekend rounded off its road trip games to the Atlantic Conference of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF organized premier league with a sweet victory over Star-Studded Union Bank basketball club of Lagos.
Pillars victory over Union Bank was described by its coach, Sani Ahmed as a Sweet Victory and commended his players for a job well-done.
The Kano-based Savannah conference strong side won the hard earned battle by 71-67 points to take its road wining to two after defeating Islanders in its first game in Lagos by 72-67 points while its await the decision of the League and Technical Committee of the Nigeria federation on the May 12 abandoned match in Asaba against Delta Force basketball club.
Who will not feet great beating a side as strong and studded as Union Bank, look I feel on top of the world, its as if we won all our road games and I must commend my players for a job well-done and we are going back to Kano fulfilled, said the Nigeria team head coach to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

And on Sunday in a Lagos City League pairing new look Islanders basketball club for the second time this season defeated Ebun Comets basketball by 72-68 points.
The victory for the Islanders came after losing two straight games to Kano Pillars (72-67) and Delta Force (71-79) basketball clubs, so Coach Ogoh Odaudu and his players knows what it feel to taste defeat a third time.
The road to victory for the Islanders was anchored by Rasheed Bello a former Ebun Comets player who was tireless throughout the pulsating encounter which brought the best from both sides.

Bello an off-guard provided the tonic the Islanders needed to curtail the foray of Dennis Ebikoro charged Comets and at the end of the match says he is happy his side won.

... Union Bank battles Dodan Warriors in City league

Jolted by the spate of defeat in recent time the management of Union Bank basketball club Saturday read out a riot act to its players to either buckled up or face the music.
The players have been told to win Tuesday Lagos City League game against city rival, Dodan Warriors basketball club which makes the match an interesting one to watch.
The last time both sides met in the premier league, Union Bank basketball club ran away with a 61-52 points victory, but with recent happening as both teams are faced with series of loses in both leagues.
The atmosphere is different this time and Coaches Adeka Dauda and Peter Ahmedu of the Dodan Warriors will not want to lose a second time to the Stallion Boy as the bankers are as known.
Union Bank parades a crop of tested players most of whom have played in the green-white-green jersey of the Nigeria national team either at junior or senior levels but the Dodan Warriors boast of some never-say-die players who are capable of giving the Gboyega Vidal coached Union Bank a run for their money.Chris Okoh (199-F-85)

TANZANIA : Addis Confirms Entry in East And Central African Inter-Cities Basketball Tourney

By Majuto Omary

Addis confirms entry in East and Central African inter-cities basketball tourney
Addis Ababa has confirmed to feature in the East and Central African (ECA) inter-cities basketball championships scheduled to take place from June 24 at Dar es Salaam's National Indoor Stadium.

Addis Ababa joins eight other cities that have confirmed to participate in the tournament.
This will be the 10th time that it is being staged in its history.
The president of the East and Central Africa Inter Cities Basketball Federation, Simon Msoffe, said Addis Ababa would feature in the tournament for the first time.
He was sure that it would bring stiff challenges in the development of the game in Tanzania and other countries.
Msoffe said an official from Addis Ababa has sent a confirmation letter to them as have the other nine cities.
These are Nairobi, Kampala, Bujumbura, Kisumu, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Lusaka, Mombasa and hosts, Dar es Salaam.
Msoffe said more teams were expected to join the championships before the deadline at the end of this month.
"We are now expanding as many new cities have shown interest to feature in the tournament.
We cannot name them because they are yet to send confirmation letters. We are waiting for them," said Msoffe.
Dar es Salaam and Nairobi are the only cities that have confirmed participation in both men's and women's events. The rest will bring only men's teams.

Msoffe said, however, that the organisers expected more teams to register their women's teams as well before the deadline.

He added that the inter-cities tournament had over the years grown to be one of the most important basketball events in the region.

Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD) has selected its provisional men's and women's teams for the championships.
The men's squad includes Frank Kusiga, Mohamed Yusuf, Gerald Baru, Filbert Mwaipungu, Ashraf Haroun , Frank Majura , Francis Mlewa , Jacob Marenga, Edmund Pastory and Mohamed Ally "Dibo".
Others are Abdallah Ramadhani, Charles Makene, Frank Simkoko, Alfonce Kusekwa, George Tarimo, Mkumbo Mgendi, Claudia Kisanko, Godfrey Chrisant, Tumsifu Apollo, Obote Mwambongo, Gilbert Batungi and Alex George.
The team will prepare for the championships under coaches Bahati Mgunda and Dais Makula.

The women's team comprises Lucy Augustino, Evodia Kazinja, Khadija Kalambo, Amina Ahmed, Elizabeth Masenyi, Zakia Kondo, Mary Kimiti and Faraja Malawi.
Others are Ester Nelson, Lulu Joseph, Dolita Mbunda, Neema Emmanuel, Easter Fanuel, Monica Aloyce, Grace Mgyabuso, Penina Igwe, Annomisiata Anthony, Grace Daudi, Nelly Anyengise and Nina Mliga.
Peter Samson and Leonard Kwale will oversee the team's preparations for the regional event.
The two teams start training today, according to Msoffe.

LIBERIA : Pythons Captures LBF 2008 Championship

by Heston M. Jackson II

The Liberia Basketball Federation Championship League ended with Uhuru Kings going down to one of its bitter rivals, the deadly NPA Pythons 78 to 64 points in the total tally of the scores of the game.

The game which was played on Saturday night at the Sports Commission on Broad Street, started with Uhuru Kings leading rival NPA Pythons 22 to 14 points in the 1st quarter of the game, but within a jiffy, Pythons persistently increased her playing chances and reconsolidated to narrowly take the lead in the 2nd-quarter of the match with 38 to 37 points.
Pythons, considering the importance of the game and how they had missed out on Uhuru Kings in the third match of the grand final of best out of five, still led their scoring chances in three points, free throws, layouts, and maintained their lead in the 3rd quarter with 57 to 40.
Later in the final quarter of the game, with 2 minutes and 47 seconds left, some angry fans of Uhuru Kings obstructed the match by throwing cans, glass bottles, water bags and other offensive materials on the floor of the court as the clock was forced to stop thus leaving Pythons in control of the score with 69 to 53.
As a result of the disturbance, the match was brought to a standstill at which time some officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) were forced to intervene and took charge of the security.

RWANDA : Giants Resume Title Hunt Against Minnows

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

CSK A, APR, Espoir and reigning champions Marine are all expected to pick up easy wins as the 2008 National basketball league enters week three.
Espoir hope to shake off last Saturday's defeat against APR when they entertain struggling Kigali Institute of Education in an early morning tie at Amahoro.
Rwanda's shooting forward Valery Uwineza will lead the 2004 champions' fight back against KIE who are yet to win a league game this year.
In the other days' games, the 'Indomitable Lions' of APR and last year's beaten finalists, CSK A will be gunning for their third wins of the season when they take on out of sorts United Generation Basketball and Rwanda National University (UNR).
And in Sunday's only fixture, Rusizi will be in for a rough ride when they host defending champions, Marine.
Marine, who also lifted this year's Heroes title after ejecting APR in the final, opened their title defense in superb fashion with a 114-44 victory over KIE.

KENYA : KPA Down Usiu Teams in Mombasa

by Philip Onyango
Nairobi

Kenya Ports Authority men and women's teams registered their second victories in the National Classic basketball league, outplaying United States International University teams at the KPA Hall Makande.
Carolyne Aruto of Kenya Ports Authority and team-mate Agnes Anyango go for a rebound against Everlyne Moraa of USIU in their National Classic basketball league match at KPA Makande gymnasium in Mombasa. KPA won 62-38. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU
KPA men beat USIU men 75-55 in an ill-tempered match that had several stoppages, while KPA women defeated USIU flames 62-38 in another encounter.
The men's match was particularly mouth watering in the early stages, when USIU took a commanding 10-point lead at one point as KPA back-pedalled.
A single effort by former international Mike Opel saved the day for the dockers as he scored nine points in a row to narrow the gap to 17-09 in the first quarter.
This was the last time USIU took the lead.
Francis Odari was introduced, and he scored three-pointers at will to see KPA take a 26-10 lead in the second quarter as the dockers led 35-27 at the break.
The tense second half saw KPA's Musa Odari and Abel Nlson of USIU ejected after Odari punched Nlson, who retaliated.
Also ejected for committing two fouls was Aron Ramadhan of USIU, whose absence left a big gap.
Opel led the scorecard for KPA with 14 points while Francis Odari had 13 points and Mickey Wana 12 points.

18 May 2008

NIGERIA : Pillars battle Union Bank in last road game

Visiting Kano Pillars basketball club will this afternoon take to the floor against Atlantic conference giant, Union Bank club of Lagos at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium.

The match, the last in the series for the Coach Sani Ahmed tutored Pillars sojourn to the Atlantic conference in search of points to shore up its chances of a better playoffs finishing.
The Savannah conference side looks up to the league committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF to grant its prayer by awarding it the maximum points in the stalemated first road game against Delta Force basketball club of Asaba went on to beat Islanders basketball club Tuesday has since kissed the canvas thrice losing to Ebun Comets, Customs and Dodan Warriors.
And in today’s game against a star-studded side as Union Bank, Ibrahim Yusuf and his co-travelers must be at their witty end to avoid scandalous defeat especially when the ego of the Stallion boy have been serious dealt with by Islanders and Ebun Comets in the Atlantic conference.

….Tapgun Rockets seek lifeline against AHIP

Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos will be at home to visiting AHIP Giant basketball club of Kano in a Savannah conference premier league pairing.
The Jos-based side has not been having it easy since the league started on April 5 in the conference and will be seeking a lifeline against the youthful AHIP side today.

….Net battles Hawks in local derby

It will be a battle of wit and whose side commands the loyalty of Bauchi fans as Bauchi Net engage Yelwa Hawks’ basketball club for the maximum points.
With not too impressive performance in the premier league so far, Yelwa Hawks looks forward to this game with keen interest as the search to re-launch itself back to reckoning heats-up.

….Islanders, Comets renew rivalry in City league

The rivalry between two of Nigeria best clubs, Islanders basketball club and Ebun Comets basketball club is brought to the fore as both sides engage one another in a Lagos City League game on Sunday.
Islanders who gained the upper hand, thanks to the buzzer shot taken by Islanders guard, Hilary Aigbokhaode in a premier league pairing will look forward to a repeat performance against a rejuvenated Comets side coached by veteran basketball tactician, Ayo Bakare.
Ogoh Odaudu tutored Islanders definitely know what is at stake not when his side tastes the bitter pill of defeat losing two matches in a row.
Coach Odaudu who is from Bakare coaching school of thought says there is no cause for alarm, he told our Correspondent that his wards knows the importance of Sunday match against Comets as they are not prepared to lose a third game.

17 May 2008

RWANDA : Giants resume title hunt against minnows

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

Today

KIE v Espoir
UNR v CSK A
APR v UGB

Tomorrow
Rusizi v Marine

CSK A, APR, Espoir and reigning champions Marine are all expected to pick up easy wins as the 2008 National basketball league enters week three.
Espoir hope to shake off last Saturday’s defeat against APR when they entertain struggling Kigali Institute of Education in an early morning tie at Amahoro.
Rwanda’s shooting forward Valery Uwineza will lead the 2004 champions’ fight back against KIE who are yet to win a league game this year.
In the other days’ games, the ‘Indomitable Lions’ of APR and last year’s beaten finalists, CSK A will be gunning for their third wins of the season when they take on out of sorts United Generation Basketball and Rwanda National University (UNR).
And in Sunday’s only fixture, Rusizi will be in for a rough ride when they host defending champions, Marine.
Marine, who also lifted this year’s Heroes title after ejecting APR in the final, opened their title defense in superb fashion with a 114-44 victory over KIE.

KENYA : Lions lie in wait for Pirates at Nyayo today

by CAXTON APOLLO in Nairobi and PHILIP ONYANGO
in Mombasa

Defending men’s basketball Premier League champions, Kenya Commercial Bank Lions are poised to maintain their unbeaten run when they entertain lowly-rated Kenyatta University Pirates at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium Friday from 2pm.

Lions mauled rivals Co-operative Bank 72-69 last weekend and start as favourites against the students, making their first appearance this season. Victor Odendo, Tobias Onyango and Dennis “Dikembe” Opiyo will hunt down the students.

Two top women’s matches are on the card Friday with Sprite Storms taking on Strathmore University.

Eagle Wings meet Cruisers in the day’s opening tie. Storms rocked Yana 43-32 in their last assignment and Anjella Luchivya and Irene Makori are ready to do their team proud.

In Mombasa, US-based students, Sarah Zainab Chan and Lillian Atieno will be on parade when United States International University (USIU) take on Kenya Ports Authority at KPA Hall in Makande Friday.

Chan, who together with Josephine Owino and Beatrice Awino helped Union University Lady Bulldogs to an unbeaten record in the NAIA Trans South Conference league, is on holiday and will be expected to make a big contribution to USIU team for the three months she will be on holiday.

Union University Lady Bulldog head women basketball coach, Mark Campbell confirmed that Chan had been given permission to return home on holiday and to play a competitive league to remain in shape ahead of the US colleges new season which starts in September.

The other US-based player, Lillian Atieno, who left for the US two years ago, will return home for the first time and should also be instrumental in the team’s campaign after USIU made a fault in the league losing the match opener 79-61 to Eagle Wings last weekend.

Instrumental

KPA men face off with USIU in a match expected to be tough. Sammy Kirui, formerly of KCB, has added some punch in KPA’s front court while the Odari brothers are proving to be very instrumental at the back court.

Saturday, Bosire Bogonko and Abel Kimondo are expected to come out of the bench as Co-op Bank confront visiting Lakeside at 2pm.

The duo watched from the technical bench as Co-op Bank went down fighting 72-69 to rivals KCB Lions. Wycliffe Ochieng and Bobby Okwako’s shooting magic will be needed to earn Co-op Bank a win.

Yana’s coach George Namake has another test when they host Cruisers at 9.30 am. Namake has yet to polish Yana, who crushed 43-32 to Sprite Storms. Anne Liambila and Stella Opondo has a big responsibility to return Yana’s lost glory.

In the men’s Division One matches, unbeaten Posta take on African Nazarene University at 12 pm while Terrorists led by Rodney Genga are expected to frustrate Pirates from 4 pm.

16 May 2008

CAPE VERDE : Santo Antao, and Fogo Finalists

Santo Antao Island Basketball: Fiorentina and Maritimo fights for Regional title

Fiorentina and Maritimo are the two teams that have advanced to the finals in the Santo Antao regional championship.
The teams finished in the top two positions in the regular season, with Fiorentina on top. With the regular season title secured, Fiorentina will now

try to beat Maritimo in the finals of the playoffs, to go and represent the island in the national championship.

The games will this week, and end by the end of May.


Island of Fogo Basketball: Spartak and Cutelinho in the finals

Spartak (So Filipe) and Cutelinho (Mosteiros), the two best team in the Fogo regional championship, are now battling in the finals of the playoffs (best of 5) to determined the Fogo regional champions. The regular season champion is Spartak, and Cutelinho is the runner up.
In the first game, Spartak beat Cutelinho 86 to 75, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The second game is programmed for this weekend, in the Simao Mendes Pavilion in the city of Sao Filipe.
The championship also included the participation of Lem, and Faxa da Terra, both teams from Sao Filipe.

The regional championship began in March, and is set to finish at the end of May.
Besides the regional championship, the Fogo Basketball Association, organized other activities; such as the Opening Tournament, and theSao Filipe cup,which Spartak won both.

from africabasket.com

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