Basketball in Africa

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Today at YMC
St Michael v Bushcourt 5:30pm
Berkeley v Livingstone 7pm
KCC Lions v Ndejje 8:30pm

In a way, coach Mande Baker has parted ways with Kampala City Council (KCC) Lions. Whereas Baker blames it on his tight work schedule at International School of Uganda (ISU), KCC Lions management says the coach was asked to take a break following indifferent results.

“Players were blaming him (Baker) for their performances. We couldn’t sack him because we know he is not to blame, but the players themselves,” KCC treasurer Dennis Karugaba told Daily Monitor yesterday.

After 14 MTN-Fuba League games, KCC Lions are rooted at the bottom of the 10-team topflight table with only one victory. Baker last handled the team on August 29 in a losing effort against Kampala International University (KIU) but Lions have still failed to register victory in their last two outings.

Tonight, the mayor’s boys confront Ndejje University Angels at YMCA Wandegeya hoping to bring their losing streak to an end. But they have to do that without Baker, the man who guided the team from Third Division through to the second tier and now First Division.

Lions have the potential to pull-off an upset but Angels coach Walker Obedi is taking nothing for granted. “We can’t take chances with KCC. We know what they are capable of doing and will come out strong for that game,” Obedi whose team are targeting to finish fourth and qualify for the play-offs, said.

Ndejje beat KCC Lions 81-74 in the first round and must win tonight’s clash to stand a chance of edging KIU, Nkumba and Miracle to fourth position.

BAYA are the first team to reach the semi-final stages of the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) knockout competition after they eliminated MBU Rockers 72-62 on Sunday.

Their next opponents will come from the third quarter-final match and will be either Beau Vallon Heat – winners over RA Herons 69-48 on Sunday – or the winner of game 10 between Cascade Bullets and Angels, which will be played tonight.

In the other quarter-final, Premium Cobras will play the winner of game 12 between defending champions PLS Hawks and Razors, who beat LMS 53-43 on Sunday.

In the other match played during the weekend, Pointe Larue Falcons defeated AAP Brothers 60-56.

As the jump-ball date for the 21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women draws closer, handlers of the Nigeria senior women national team, D’Tigress led by Coach Ayo Bakare are almost through with the final list of the Nigeria team as they intensify preparation for the championship.

The former Africa champion (2003 and 2005) Monday cut down it size with the dropping of two players from the list of fifteen players made up of six foreign-based and nine home-based players bringing the number of players left in camp to thirteen.

The two dropped players, Ijeoma Uchendu and Ima-obong Ekebo were praised by the coaches for their contribution towards the country qualification for the final round of the continent biggest women basketball competition.

The thirteen remaining players from where a list of twelve players will picked include, Mfon Udoka, Rashidat Sadiq, Funmilayo Ojelabi, Nkechi Akashili, Vera Angwe-Ellong, Tamunomiete Whyte, Magdalene Ukato, Vivian Ewalefo, Charity Egenti, Chioma Udeaja, Adeola Olanrewaju, Amaka Adibeli and Mactabene Amachree.

Coach Bakare says the two players still have age on their side and should be ready for the big occasion in future, he, however added that the team final 12-list that will be paraded in Antananarivo, Madagascar next month will be unveiled Thursday and confirm Mfon Udoka as team captain.

“It was a difficult task coming to term with which player to drop but some must actually give way since the Nigeria Basketball Federation, (NBBF) does not have the fund to go to Madagascar with fifteen players, concluded Coach Bakare.

The team has lined-up two friendly games against First Bank basketball club and First Deepwater Basketball Club.

The Ogoh Odaudu tutored side, who maintained their unbeaten run at the conference in the ongoing DSTV Basketball League with a 79-73 points victory over Union Bank, will be out to consolidate their hold at the top. The win by the Islanders made them complete a double over the Union Bank, having defeated them by 115-93 points in their first meeting last month.

Union Bank, who came into the game with vengeance in mind, won the first quarter narrowly by 15-13 points, while the charged Islanders players came back strongly in the second quarter with a 17-16 points’ victory to move into the break with one point deficit of 31-30 points.

In the third quarter, the Shola Alayande captained Islanders made good use of court run and vision to dominate their opponents. They won the third and fourth quarters 26-20 and 23-22 points to maintain their hundred percent record with a 79-73 points victory.

Islanders combo guard, Anyebe Alexandra, led his side with 17 points, forward Kingsley Aguara added 16 points just as the duo of Cameroon import; William Ndoumbe and Azuoma Dike contributed 14 points each.

Union Bank small forward Ugbede Oguche’s 19 points and Seyi Ayodele 14 points were not enough to save their side from defeat.

They will be away to Delta Force Basketball Club of Asaba.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Results
Bistons 59-97 UCU JV
Bushcourt 71-88 Crane
Livingstone 82-80 Vegeterian
KCC Lions 72-86 Miracle
Women
Sparks 102 – 48 Crane High

The battle for fourth place in the men’s MTN-Fuba League is becoming more fascinating by the day. Two days after Kampala International University (KIU) drubbed giants Falcons 59-45, to occupy the sole remaining play-offs slot, Miracle Eagles condemned Kampala Council (KCC) Lions to an 86-72 loss to remain in contention.

With four games to complete the regular season, Miracle and KIU are now joint fourth with 21 points. It can’t get any better considering that Ndejje University Angels and Nkumba University Marines can also turn the tables and finish fourth.

At this point however, Miracle and KIU look good to make the post season.
The promising Brian Ssentongo, who crossed from Falcons in pre-season and Felix Olaba combined for 28 points while Ali Mohammed sunk in 17 as Miracle registered their seventh win of the season. Michael Opolot (17) and Chaka Jeje (11) put up some resistance for KCC Lions, but the mayor’s side is already damned to relegation. From 14 outings, they have managed only one win.

Whereas the Miracle-KCC Lions encounter was more predictable, Livingstone caused shock waves in the men’s Second Division by edging giants Vegetarian 82-80. The game of the weekend, no doubt. In the women’s sort, 2003 champions Makerere Sparks whitewashed Crane High School 102-48 to remain with in touching distance of a play-offs slot.

Last season’s league top scorer Hellen Nakijjo had a field day, garnering a game high 25 points, Carol Nyafwono contributed 20 and Lyn Nalunkuma 15 for fourth-placed Sparks. Nakimuli Diana and Barbra Jumbo were in double figures for Crane High with 19 and 12 points respectively.

Savannah conference leader and reigning champion of the Nigeria league, Kano Pillars basketball club at the weekend defeated Kadda Stars basketball club of Kaduna by 90-62 points.

The game which took place at the sports hall of the Kaduna State Sports Council at the Murtala Square in Kaduna was dubbed the star game of the Savannah conference of the DSTV Basketball League going by both sides Pre-game rating.

The Coach Sani Ahmed Pillars who are determined to lead the Savannah conference to the final eight play-offs took their host to the cleaner in a game many had expected the Stars who recently returned to the Nigeria big league after many years in limbo.

And in the Atlantic conference, Delta Force basketball club of Asaba compounded the woes of Dodan Warriors basketball club of Lagos with a 62-56 points win.

With these lose the hope of the rampaging Warriors of landing a play-offs berth now hang in the balance as it has one regular season game left against Union Bank basketball club on Wednesday, while conference leader, Lagos Islanders basketball club almost paid for being complacence against the Police Bombers at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos as it manage to win the encounter by 86-80 points in over-time.

The Coach Ogoh Odaudu tutored Islanders side had underrated their opponent who took the advantage of the lackadaisical Islanders side stretching the game into over-time after both sides ended scores at 73 points apiece after 40 minutes before the Islanders could break away in the five minutes over-time to win at 86-80 points.

By PHILIP ONYANGO

Kenya Ports Authority’s women’s were made to struggle before beating a much improved Yana a 72-43 in a national league match at the KPA Hall in Mombasa yesterday.

KPA took advantage of the nervous Yana players to take an early 13-04 lead in the first quarter. But the story was different in the second half after coach George Namake’s pep talk as Yana stepped up their game to trail 17-13 in the second quarter.

The third quarter belonged to KPA who outscored the relatively youthful Yana 26-12 before taking the fourth 16-14 when Yana staged a strong fight back.
Irene Murambi scored the first basket for KPA before Joyce Makhungu and Yvonne Akinyi made it 6-0 in favour of KPA.

Top scorer

Sylvia Koech, Emma Akinyi and Pamela Sinda, who had a good afternoon, combined for four points as KPA raced to a 13-04 lead withAgnes Anyango, Millicent Anyango and Joyce Makhungu also contributing.
Yvonne Akinyi led the score card for KPA with 12 points while Millicent Anyango and Joyce Makhungu managed seven and six respectively.
Sinda was Yana’s top scorer with 13 points while Sylvia Koech and Florence Adema scored 10 and six points respectively.

At the time of going to press, the men’s encounter between KPA and University of Nairobi’s Terrorists was delayed for over one hour due to a clash in uniforms.
Terrorists came to the Gym with white uniform same as KPA who by virtue of being a home team were entitled a light colour.

But KPA who were at home and could easily access their alternative kit refused to change forcing the officials to stall the match.
University of Nairobi students were busy looking for kit from Makupa Lakers for the game to kick off.

KNOWING the importance of fundamentals, discipline and competitions at a young age will surely help you to develop into a good and successful player.


Fédération internationale de basketball association (Fiba) coaching instructor Sterling Wright said this last Saturday during a mini-basketball jamboree jointly organised by the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Education at the Victoria gymnasium.

Mr Wright – who is here on holiday – has previously worked in the country, bringing a helping hand in developing Seychelles’ basketball.
During his six-month contract back in 2007, Mr Wright –who strongly believes in the fundamentals of basketball – ran several courses locally, including a level one coaching course and a youth basketball training programme under the name Holiday Try-out Camp, which aimed at identifying and preparing young players.

Mr Wright presents the basketballs to a primary school pupil

Guest of honour at Saturday’s tournament, Mr Wright – though on vacation – willingly shared his views on how to better develop basketball.

He explained that mini-basketball is the starting block for future development of the sport as it expose the kids not only to basketball as a sport but also to the rules and regulations.

This, he said, will help them to grow up with the right attitude which will mould them into effective and disciplined players.

As he has said before, he repeated that if as a child you neglect the importance of fundamentals and discipline, you will grow up with a lot of bad habits which will negatively affect your career.

Regarding the teaching approach, he said the physical education teachers at school level are the ideal candidates for the task.

Plaisance and Anse Aux Pins, the mini-basketball jamboree champions

“They have been trained to deal with kids, so they have the right approach, compared to team coaches who are focusing on winning rather than teaching,” he said.

Regarding Saturday’s competition, Mr Wright said the turnout – 26 teams – was a positive sign and more effort should be put into keeping hold of the young players and more such competitions should be organised.

This, he said, will boost their confidence and bring in the competitive spirit.

The referees did a good job as well by allowing the children to play without whistling at every mistake they made, and this helped to make the tournament more exiting, he added.
He also said he noticed several players with good fundamental skills of basketball such as dribbling, ball control, passing, shooting and lay-ups.

“These kids, once identified, should be closely followed as they are the future of the country’s basketball,” he added.

After the prizegiving ceremony at Saturday’s tournament, Mr Wright – who has worked in 47 countries – distributed mini-basketballs to representatives of each school.

The balls – a personal gift from him – will be used for specialised training programmes at school level.

Plaisance primary school were the champions in the boys’ group, while for the girls Anse Aux Pins were the winners of the first mini-basketball jamboree.

In the first boys’ semi-final, Plaisance defeated Anse Aux Pins 12-4 while in the other match, La Rosiere beat Anse Etoile 4-2.

In the tightly contested final, Plaisance outscored their opponents by a single basket to win the match and title 6-4.

After an easy 12-4 victory over the Independent School in the semi-final, Anse Aux Pins met La Rosière, who beat Anse Etoile 2-0 in the other match.

Like their male counterparts, La Rosiere lost the final by a two-point margin allowing Anse Aux Pins to go home with the cup.

R. D.

Afrobasket U16 held in Mozambique : Egypt made a great victory over Mali 92-90 to win the Africa title and fly alone to Italy next year representing Africa in the world cup. Egypt made four wins over South africa , Mozambique, Angola, lost from mali, then met Nigeria in the semi final win 3 points,reched the finalto meet Mali for the second time the only team who beated Egypt in the tournement.however, This win will cover the great loss in libya 2009 and put the Egyptian basketball on the trak hoping that this team and the U18 team the champion of africa 2009 can change history and lead our first team to victory.

By Charles Mutebi

MTN-FUBA League
Men: Division 1
KIU 58 Falcons 45
Marines 90 Riders 77
Ndejje 75 Canons 71
Women
Bucks 69 Rhinos 61
Leopards 72 A1 57

IF KIU are to get into the MTN-FUBA men’s first division playoffs, Michael Kariuki must continue his impressive form.

That way, Nimrod Kaboha will be able to concentrate on sorting out the team’s other departments confident he has a centre to rival the very best in the league.

At YMCA on Saturday, Kariuki netted a game-high 23 points as KIU recorded a 58-45 victory over the depleted Mountain Dew Falcons, who have already qualified for the playoffs.

With the exception of Eric Malinga, Falcons were without their starting five –– Steven Omony and Henry Malinga due to injury and Isaac Luggudde and Sunday Okot who are suspended.

Kariuki maximised the absence of Henry Malinga, the league’s best centre, to put in another match-winning performance for the KIU side that have moved to fourth position with four games to the end of the regular season.

This result also ensured the race for the final playoffs spot remains stiff as the Nkumba Marines and Ndejje Angels –– the other sides in contention –– also recorded victories in their respective games.

Nkumba overcame Knight Riders 90-77 while Ndejje defeated UCU Canons 75-71 also at YMCA.

Marines, who are fifth, are level on 21 points with KIU but have an inferior points difference. Angels are sixth with 20 points.

Meanwhile, in the ladies league, Becky Akullo sunk a game-high 30 points as KCC Leopards ended A1 Challenge’s unbeaten run with a 72-57 win. A1 had not lost in 14 matches since the season started.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Saturday results
MBC Rocks 80-66 Bushcourt
Berkley 85-54 Heaters
Ndejje 75-71 UCU Canons
Marines 90-77 Riders
Falcons 45-59 KIU
Women
KCC Leopards 72-57 A-1

To win a championship, you always have to beat the best. The MTN-Fuba League season is not ending pretty soon but 2007 women champions Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards made their intentions of recapturing the title clear by outclassing A-1 Challenge 72-57 on Saturday night.

A-1 Challenge brought a 14-match unbeaten run into the clash against Leopards at YMCA but couldn’t go one better. No doubt both teams are good and are likely to face-off in this season’s final, but KCC Leopards had a point to prove. They lost the corresponding first round fixture 66-68 to A-1 Challenge and badly needed victory to regain confidence.

At the start A-1 Challenge looked the better side, winning the first quarter 19-8 but the Leopards nipped the second session 21-16. Becky Akullo, who has shown indifferent form lately made much of the difference for KCC’s cause with a game high 30 points.

That was aided by A-1 Challenge’s abysmal third quarter show in which they were drubbed 24-8 and went on to lose the last 19-14. Mariam Birungi (17 points) and Miriam Hamala (8) came good for KCC.
Maggie Nalubega and Rosette Meya grabbed eight points apiece for A-1 Challenge.

In the men’s contest, without injured Henry Malinga and Shs72m signing Stephen Omony, Falcons were taken to the cleaners by Kampala International University (KIU). Just after five minutes, Falcons were trailing the university side 9-21 and were glad to go into recess 39-22 down.

Peter Elungat (13 points) and Sam Obol (9) tried to keep Falcons into the game but all their efforts were about damage limitation. At the end of third quarter, KIU were leading 53-30 and they must scold themselves for failing to register a massive win against the depleted Falcons.

Micheal Karuiki dominated the paint with 23 points, helping KIU to seize fourth position on the 10-team table. Falcons suffered their fourth loss of the season.

By Charles Mutebi

MTN-FUBALeague
Today, YMCA
Men Div 1:
Riders v Marines 5.30pm
Men Div 2:
Rhinos v Rocks 11.30am
Heaters v Berkley12.30pm
Women
Rhinos v Bucks 1pm
Stormers v Cubs 4pm

THE Nkumba Marines should rediscover the winning feeling when they battle the Knight Riders in the MTN-FUBA men’s first division today at YMCA.

Timothy Odeke’s men have lost their last three matches, which has consequently seen them fall out of the top four for the first time in months.

Going into today’s contest, the Marines are sixth with 19 points, separated from the fourth-placed Miracle Eagles only by an inferior points average.

Therefore, victory over the Riders will take Nkumba back into the playoffs zone, although they would have played a game more than Miracle and KIU, who are also on 19 points.

The Riders are a hard-fighting bunch but should find the Marines too much to handle.

Even if this is an Entebbe derby, the outcome looks fairly predictable seeing as the Riders have won only two their previous 13 league matches.

Sande Bashaija

Wandegeya

Today at YMCA
TLC v Sharing 10am
Rhino v MBC Rocks 11:30am
Heaters v Berkley 2:30pm
Riders v Nkumba 4pm
Ndejje v UCU Canons 5:30pm
Falcons v KIU 8:30pm
Women
Amazon v Lady Bucks 1pm
KCC Leopards v A-1 7pm

Going 14 games unbeaten is quite a feat. That’s what A-1 Challenge’s report card reads going into today’s MTN-Fuba League fixture against Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards.

A-1 Challenge, champions in 2005, have put on such a run without some of their best players and must be riding so high on confidence. But they come up against an equally confident side, which are ranked second in the 11-team table. Both sides look good and going by their first round clash, which A-1 Challenge nipped 68-66, supporters and neutrals alike should brace for an exciting encounter at YMCA Wandegeya tonight. KKC Leopards, with one loss to their name, warmed up for the game with a 149-17 hiding of Amazon Rhino on Wednesday night and are undoubtedly eager to inflict some revenge on A-1 Challenge.

Comprehensively beaten 53-89 by record champions Falcons on Wednesday night, Ndejje University Angels know they must bring their losing streak to a halt or else they forget about the play-offs. The Angels face fellow struggling university outfit UCU Canons in a game they must win to maintain hope of qualifying for the postseason.

Falcons, who have already consolidated themselves in third place, meanwhile, take on rejuvenated Kampala International University (KIU) in a game that could shape the latter’s destiny. Falcons will certainly be without Henry Malinga, who injured his knee in the victory against Ndejje, leaving the Sh72m signing Stephen Omony to shoulder much of the burden. Victory for KIU will move them to fourth position.

Gaborone-based Troopers won the mid-season basketball tournament held at the University of Botswana (UB) courts over the weekend after thrashing BDF V 84-67 in the final. Troopers advanced to the final after trouncing Spartans 62-41 while BDF V beat Flames 67-58.

In the final both sides showed determination from the start, launching attacks and counter-attacks as the game swung from end to end.
But it was Troopers that had the upper hand over their army opponents, ending the first quarter with a 22-20 lead. The slippery Troopers' duo of Gaamangwe Lasaro and Mothusi Phokoje terrorised BDF V as they repeatedly scored with ease.

BDF V piled pressure at the start of the second quarter and almost levelled matters through the outstanding albeit pint-sized forward, Bashi Jerry. The skilful Jerry easily penetrated the Troopers point guards and made a lot of assists and scores.

With BDF players starting to show signs of fatigue, Troopers took advantage and extended the lead once again as Michael Banda easily beat the guards on breaks to score beautiful dunks. Both teams introduced new players in the third quarter, but Troopers continued its dominance and led 69-45. The game got rough in the last quarter with BDF players getting cautions. Troopers resisted attempts by their opponents to recover through good zonal marking. This frustrated BDF and made them to commit unnecessary blunders that were fully punished by Troopers via free throws. Troopers substitute Raymond Madzudzu added spark to the attack, scoring two quick three points and a dunk during the last seconds of the game.

Troopers' coach Pitso Mbaki said after the final that they are back to their winning ways and they are ready for the second round of the league. "We are back to our usual form and we want to stamp our authority during the second round. Even though my players have not reached their highest fitness level, they did well and the new signings also impressed," he said.

Tournament organiser, Mothusi Thipe said the event was a success and kept players active ahead of the start of the second round of the league on August 22. "Despite some teams not turning up, the tournament went very well and I also thank our sponsors who made it possible," he said. Thipe noted that the level of basketball in the country has improved significantly over the years. AKTIV Sports and USN sponsored the event.

Meanwhile, BDF V narrowly beat Relics 26-25 in a closely contested women's final. Fifteen clubs participated in the tournament.

As curtain fall on the FIBA Africa Championship for U16 Men today in Maputo, Mozambique two countries (Mali and Egypt) will be battling to pick the continent sole ticket to the 2010 FIBA World Championship for U17 Men.

To reach the grand finale of the championship the young Malian team defeated Algeria by 83-53 points in the first semi-final played Friday while the young Pharaohs defeated Nigeria by 74-71 points to set the final clash between both countries with Nigeria and Algeria both from group-B battling for the continents third best cadet team.

In the classifications games also decided Friday host Mozambique had the better of Central Africa Republic by 63-57 points in a thrilling encounter just as Angola rode rough-shod over South Africa by 75-58 points.

Mozambique and Angola will tango for placement 5-6 while South Africa battles Central Africa Republic for position 7-8.

Gaborone-based Troopers won the mid-season basketball tournament held at the University of Botswana (UB) courts over the weekend after thrashing BDF V 84-67 in the final. Troopers advanced to the final after trouncing Spartans 62-41 while BDF V beat Flames 67-58.

In the final both sides showed determination from the start, launching attacks and counter-attacks as the game swung from end to end.

But it was Troopers that had the upper hand over their army opponents, ending the first quarter with a 22-20 lead. The slippery Troopers' duo of Gaamangwe Lasaro and Mothusi Phokoje terrorised BDF V as they repeatedly scored with ease.

BDF V piled pressure at the start of the second quarter and almost levelled matters through the outstanding albeit pint-sized forward, Bashi Jerry. The skilful Jerry easily penetrated the Troopers point guards and made a lot of assists and scores.

With BDF players starting to show signs of fatigue, Troopers took advantage and extended the lead once again as Michael Banda easily beat the guards on breaks to score beautiful dunks. Both teams introduced new players in the third quarter, but Troopers continued its dominance and led 69-45. The game got rough in the last quarter with BDF players getting cautions. Troopers resisted attempts by their opponents to recover through good zonal marking. This frustrated BDF and made them to commit unnecessary blunders that were fully punished by Troopers via free throws. Troopers substitute Raymond Madzudzu added spark to the attack, scoring two quick three points and a dunk during the last seconds of the game.

Troopers' coach Pitso Mbaki said after the final that they are back to their winning ways and they are ready for the second round of the league. "We are back to our usual form and we want to stamp our authority during the second round. Even though my players have not reached their highest fitness level, they did well and the new signings also impressed," he said.

Tournament organiser, Mothusi Thipe said the event was a success and kept players active ahead of the start of the second round of the league on August 22. "Despite some teams not turning up, the tournament went very well and I also thank our sponsors who made it possible," he said. Thipe noted that the level of basketball in the country has improved significantly over the years. AKTIV Sports and USN sponsored the event.

Meanwhile, BDF V narrowly beat Relics 26-25 in a closely contested women's final. Fifteen clubs participated in the tournament.

Kano Pillars Basketball team, defending champions is on the verge of retaining the title it won last year when on Saturday it whacked Bauchi Net 77-57 points in the on-going 2009 Multi Choice/NBBF Premier League in the Savannah Conference at the Indoor Sports Hall of Sani Abacha Sports Complex.

The team which dominated all the quarters of the game with positional display, were judged best club in the on-going competition.

If the star players of the Pyramid Boys, Stanley Gumut, Abubakar Usman, Abubakar Yusuf, Ahmad Dauda, Mustapha Yusuf and Idris Abdul maintain their tempo, it may eventually retain the trophy it won last year.

However, some of the players who spoke on condition of anonymity sent a passionate appeal to Kano state government to look into their plight by improving their welfare packages in order to keep the flag flying in the league.

Kano Pillars basketball team emerged winners of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Club Championship qualifier, after winning the league last year which gave the team chance of representing Nigeria and West Africa in Tunisia.

Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo & Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Results - Wednesday
Ndejje 53-89 Falcons
MBC Rocks 73-71 Stone
Women
KCC 149-17 Amazon

Good starts are not that important in basketball but slow starts could prove costly as Ndejje University Angels can testify. On paper, Falcons are by far the better team but Ndejje have scaled heights that an upset was on the cards at YMCA court Wandegeya on Wednesday night.

However, the paltry crowd fell silent before ‘the real duel’ got started as Falcons pounded Ndejje into submission taking the first quarter 28-6.
Henry Malinga’s artistry in the paint rattled the Ndejje defence as he scored 11 points including a flurry of dunks within the opening six minutes before limping off with a knee injury. “It really hurts now, I will do scan to ascertain the extent of the damage but it does not look good at all,” Malinga who had his left knee strapped told Daily Monitor said after the game.

Malinga was not missed at all as Falcons star guard Steven Omony took over to contribute a game high 21 points before the latter was rested for the final 13 minutes but coach Walker Obedi youthful Ndejje side were already dead and buried.

Obedi’s antics on the bench only propelled Falcons into fifth gear. The duo of Edwin Kateregga and Geoffrey Soro, on as replacements for Malinga and Omony respectively, sunk 11 points each. Carlos Ocici (10) and Eric Malinga (11) ensured that six Falcons players reached double figures as opposed to Ndejje’s Crispin Biko who was a ‘candle in the wind’ with 17. “We were simply poor but we must respond with a big result against UCU (Canons) on Saturday,” Obedi said.

In the women’s league, KCC Leopards took Amazon Rhino to basketball school with a 149-17 thumping. Mariam Hamala and Sarah Namiiro had 29 and 26 points respectively. MBC Rocks beat Livinstone 73-71.

The president of the Ethiopian Basket Ball Federation is Mr Berhane
Kidanemariam, who is also the current President of the Ethiopian
Olympic Committee.

He was unanimously elected to the position on January 13, 2009 by the
General Assembly of the Ethiopian Basketball Federation Held at the
Ras Hotel Assembly Hall.

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

The highly-anticipated clash between unbeaten A-1 Challenge and Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards won’t take place tomorrow.

The game is among three MTN-Fuba League fixtures that have been postponed by the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba). “We have been informed that YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) will be holding a graduation ceremony on Friday (tomorrow),” Fuba assistant general secretary Joseph Manano told Daily Monitor yesterday.

“Actually, we won’t be allowed to carry out any activity at the venue beginning Thursday (today).” Fuba has no permanent home and rents an outdoor basketball facility at the Wandegeya-based YMCA yet the alternative venue – Lugogo Indoor Stadium – is undergoing renovation.

The other affected fixtures are Falcons-Kampala International University (KIU) and Ndejje University Angles-UCU Canons. The three games will now be played Saturday at YMCA. “We also pushed ahead the Saturday game between Magic Stomers and Mak Cubs,” he said.

Tyrone Anderson signed for Somouha replacing Hondre Brewer who singned this season for Gezira, Tyrone is a very atheltic player who can create and score also he is a great passer, However, Essam abd El hameed Somouhas coach likes to import point guards like he did last season with Zamalek when he signed Brandon Morris, Somouha also signed kaled hamdy from Gezira and Ibrahim el Adawy from Zamalek. It seems that somouha will fight this season for a better ranking to pass the rank 6 they are keeping for the last couple of seasons.

from africabasket.com

Manga basket to the conquest of the zonal title to Lubumbashi.
The club of the city of Moanda situated to the south of Gabon and second to the final ordering of the national championship, committed to represent Gabon to the championship of central Africa of the clubs champion, which should hold to Lubumbashi.
After having ousted his trainer after the first phase of the Elite National Championship, the new trainer (Mavoungou Bayonne) hired a specific preparation.
In last times the FEGABAB, would not have means of transport to allow the representative of Gabon to surrender instead of the competition.
' We work since more than one month that we prepare this competition, we dare to hope that the FEGABAB, will come us there in help for himself to give back ', declared the new trainer of Manga basket, Mavoungou Bayonne.
It is necessary to also signal the disclaimer of the club STADE MANDJI of Port Gentil. We will come back there.

Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Today at YMCA
Livingstone v MBC Rocks 5pm
Falcons v Ndejje 8.30pm
Women
Amazon v KCC Leopards 7pm

This season is quite amazing so far. With about five rounds of play left, three teams have already qualified for the play-offs while four others find themselves in an intriguing battle for the remaining slot.

Warriors, DMark Power and Falcons occupy the top three positions while Ndejje Angels, Kampala International University, Miracle Eagles and Nkumba Marines are all hopeful of finishing fourth.

Like coach Walker Obedi admits, Ndejje are the surprise team this year and their performances have left many in awe.

A 78-82 loss to table-topping Warriors last week knocked them off track briefly but they are back in contention after Marines suffered two back-to-back losses over the weekend.

Despite lying eighth on the table, just one point behind Marines and two apiece off Miracle and KIU’s pace, Obedi is still hopeful his charges can take the tightly-contested fourth position. But he also recognises the threat posed by his opponents tonight Falcons, a side he played for a few seasons ago. “Since that slim loss to Warriors, we have been working on our mistakes,” Obedi revealed ahead of the clash due at YMCA Wandegeya. “I feel we can get a win against Falcons.”

Two Falcons’ players Isaac Lugudde and Sande Okot have been suspended for a year and four matches respectively, which leaves the record champions with a depleted bench. But even without the duo, who were involved in a brawl during their game against UCU Canons on September 6, Falcons still look a better team on paper with the experienced Shs72 million signing Stephen Omony and Henry Malinga.

“I know dealing with the big men especially Malinga will be a problem but I have worked out something,” Walker noted.
Second-placed KCC Leopards face Amazon Rhino in an earlier women’s encounter while Livingstone entertain high-flying MBC Rocks in the men’s second Division.

The Eight team playoffs set to begin in 2009 are there to stay but the Kenya national classic basketball league will have to be expanded to twelve teams to give room for competitiveness.

These are the sentiments of international basketball instructor Ronnie Owino who is the brainchild of the change of the basketball play off system from four to eight teams.

According to Owino who was speaking immediately after arriving from Malawi where he had gone to conduct a module two coaching course, the eight team playoff was the best since it gives all the teams an opportunity to compete for the coveted trophy at the end of the year.

Owino says very good teams which can do the country pride at the international level have in the past missed out of the four team playoffs for one reason of the other allowing weak teams to battle for top honours.

Owino said this year’s league is particularly very competitive without any clear favourites for the title and allowing eight teams for the playoff would be the best way forward.

“All the top teams in the league have lost a match or the other and the team’s forms keep changing therefore giving all of them a chance to advance would be the best thing to do”, he said.

Owino said he was in the meeting which discussed the change of the system of playoff and that a majority of the clubs voted for the eight team playoff when it was put to ballot.

“We have the results of the ballot which saw 22 teams vote for the eight team play off while five abstained”, Owino said adding that simple mathematics favours eight team play offs.

Owino who is also the KBF Nairobi branch chairman and long time national men and women basketball head coach has asked teams to concentrate their efforts on finding ways to stabilize the already good basketball standards in the country instead of engaging in petty talks.

KPA started the debate when they complained of teams skipping the Mombasa fixtures but KCB team manager George Omondi Nyundo attributed this to the eight team play off which he said gave the teams the confidence of featuring in the play offs even without travelling to Mombasa.

But Owino said it was wrong for teams to skip the Mombasa fixtures and asked the KBF to find of ways of punishing such teams apart from the mandatory rule of forfeiture. He said his team Posta will lead by example and honour their fixtures against KPA men on October 24 in Mombasa .

By PHILIP ONYANGO

The Kenya Ports Authority management has threatened to withdraw the parastatal’s basketball teams from the national league if teams continue to skip Mombasa for their basketball matches.

At the same time, KPA personnel manager Jane Kamau has threatened to crack the whip on the KPA team managers who she said were lobbying for their teams to play single fixtures in Nairobi, saying the corporation was losing a lot of money through such deals.

“I have been quiet but I will now act on the basketball if it will mean withdrawing the teams altogether,” Kamau, who called the Nation to react on a story, said.

She said KPA has a home ground and has a right to play their home matches in Mombasa regardless of the format of the playoffs and asked the team managers who are responsible for the fixtures to act responsibly.

“We never had this problem of teams skipping the Mombasa fixtures before, when KBF [Kenya Basketball Federation] was responsible for the fixtures. There must be a total change of attitude from those arranging the fixtures, otherwise they will bring the league to its knees,” a visibly angry Kamau said.

“I have been investigating the matter for a while now and the report I’m getting is that some KPA officials have been colluding with the fixtures department for single matches so that the teams can travel several times to Nairobi,” she said.

Kamau asked KBF to take over the running of the fixtures department as was the case before and bring sanity in the game so that all teams can be given fair treatment.

“I am not going to allow KPA to travel away for any match now until I am satisfied that they have played enough home matches, including the first leg home game against Eagle Wings which has been pending for a while now,” she said.

KBF secretary Vitalis Gode said the federation will do all that is possible to ensure that teams get fairness as far as the fixtures are concerned.

But he was quick to point out that it will not interfere with the fixtures, which the team managers demanded to control during their standoff with the federation early in the year.

KCB team manager George Nyundo had in a statement said most team were skipping the Mombasa fixtures to minimise expenses after realising that they would be in the eight-team playoff in a system set to be introduced this year.

This was after KPA head coach Anthony Ojukwu complained that teams were skipping Mombasa fixtures, making KPA to travel several times for away matches, which he said fatigued the players.
Meanwhile, International Christian Centre are determined to finish in the top position of the men’s basketball premier regular season after defeating their rivals Posta at Nyayo National Stadium at the weekend.

Maintain lead

They however had to battle from behind to beat Posta 76-62 to maintain their lead on the nine-team table standings with 22 points. ICC, who lost the first leg 64-61 to the mailmen in the first week of the season, have won nine matches and lost four.
Posta had threatened to spoil the party for ICC when they won the first two quarters 18-17 and 20-18, respectively. Led by Philip Dinga and Paul Ojuoga, ICC ran riot in the third quarter to kill off Posta’s dream of completing a double against them.
They won 20-9 in the quarter and had a 21-15 win in the final one to confirm that they are set to clinch their first league title.
Dinga shot a game-high 24 points while Ojuoga added 18. Veteran guard Ben Oluoch hit 15 and Desmo Owili 11 for the mailmen.

Standings:

Men: ICC 22 points, Strathmore University 22, KCB Lions 20, Co-op Bank 19, KPA 18, Posta 18, Lomboritz 16, Tigers of USIU-A 15, Terrorists 11

Women: Eastern Queens 21, KCA-U 19, KPA 17, Eagle Wings 16, Sprite Storms 16, Yana 14, Flames of USIU-A 14, Strathmore 13, Mennonites 12

Men’s Division One: MMUST 26, Mennonites 23, World Hope 22, KCA-U 20, Parklands Baptist 20, Nakuru Club 16, NPC 14, Blazers 13, ANU 10

Results:

ICC 76 Posta 62, KPA 86 Tigers 84, Terrorists 54 Lomboritz 49, KPA 66 Flames 26, MMUST 87 ANU 56, Co-op Bank 72 KCB Lions 70, Eastern Queens 61 Eagle Wings 66, Parklands Baptist 68 NPC 44, Mennonites 72 MMUST 64

MTN-FUBA basketball League
Men division 1
Warriors 82 Marines 69
Women
Canons 73 Stormers 45
Nabisunsa 65 Cubs 55
THE Kyambogo Warriors might have qualified for the playoffs but they are still serious about the league, writes Charles Mutebi.

Sunday at YMCA, the Warriors recorded their seventh straight league win with an 82-69 defeat of the Nkumba Marines to go top of the men’s first division.

The win, secured by typical performances from Ronnie Kasewu (17 points), Steven Okias (14) and Abdullahi Ramadan (13), took Kyambogo past D’Mark Power in first position. But Power have a game in hand.

The Warriors lead Power, with whom they are locked in the battle for the regular season and the perk of playing fourth in the playoffs semifinals by just one point. This is perhaps why the Warriors are not ready to switch off yet. Not so, if you ask Warriors coach Gad Etau.

“That (winning the regular season) is not my ambition,” Etau argued. “My ambition is to take every game as it comes because if you say you want to meet this team in the playoffs and you don’t, you are caught off-guard.”

Should the Warriors go into the post season as the top seed, chances are high they’ll meet Nkumba. Marines have lost their last two league matches but are still in line for fourth place.

With their dynamic duo of Julius Lutwama and Phillip Wakimwero, who netted a game-high 26 and 16 points respectively, the Marines are bound to return to winning ways soon.

First division league standings
P W L Pts
Warriors 14 13 1 27
Power 13 13 0 26
Falcons 12 9 3 21
Miracle 13 6 7 19
KIU 13 6 7 19
Marines 13 6 7 19
Ndejje 12 5 7 17
UCU 13 4 9 17
Riders 13 2 11 15
KCC 12 1 11 13

Nigeria U16 basketball team Tuesday at the FIBA Africa Championship for U16 Men holding in Maputo, Mozambique recored its third victory with an emphatic 89-71 points victory over Central Africa Republic.

With the latest win, the Nigerian lads coached by Coaches Adamu Kuta and Emmanuel Odah now lead group-B with 6 points from three games played so far with a final group game against Algeria tomorrow.

As Islanders loses to Royal Hoopers 64-58

Nigeria Customs basketball club Monday set a record in the Atlantic conference of the DSTV Basketball League with a 64-61 points victory over Dodan Warriors basketball club in a local derby at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

The Scott Nnaji tutored border boys as the Customs team is also known entered the game with a mindset of ending it lack-luster performance in the league which has seen it being the only team without a win by picking the first quarter 20-14 points.

Warriors charged back in the second quarter with a 27-14 points win for a half-time score-line of 41-34 points but it was the more determined Customs side that carried the day in the third quarter with a 21-08 points win to open a six point lead of 55-49 points going into the last quarter.

Efforts by the Warriors players to come back into the game was thwarted by the Customs players who guided their lead jealously, though giving up three points from their six points third quarter advantage but it was okay for them to record their first win in the charged game as they ran away with a 64-61 points victory to further push down Dodan Warriors on the conference table to fifth position.

And just as Customs were recording it first win in the conference with hope of making it to the play-offs completely dashed, conference leader, Lagos Islanders tasted the bitter pile of defeat for the first time after falling to host Royal Hoopers basketball club by 64-58 points at the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt.

Wednesday (23/09/09) Games

Atlantic Conference
Union Bank Vs Ebun Comets Lagos 16.00 hours
Islanders Vs Customs Lagos 18.00 hours
Delta Force Vs Police Bombers Asaba 16.00 hours

Savannah Conference
Bauchi Net Vs Niger Potters Bauchi 16.00 hours
Tapgun Rockets Vs Kano Pillars Jos 16.00 hours

Thursday (24/09/09)
Yelwa Hawks Vs Niger Potters Bauchi 16.00 hours
Plateau Peaks Vs Kano Pillars Jos 16.00 hours

PLS Hawks are the new men’s league champions while Hotshots have retained the women’s title they won last year, after both teams came out victorious in their deciding matches.

Hawks beat Baya while Hotshots brushed aside Anse Etoile Stars on Saturday at the Palais des Sports.

It will surely take last season’s league champions Baya quite a while to digest and figure out their weekend defeat against rivals PLS Hawks.
It was a defeat which, apart from costing them the league title, raised several questions regarding the team’s concentration and accuracy throughout the match as well as the efficiency of their entourage.

Saturday’s decider started at a very high pace with both teams adopting a tight defence and being cautious in their offence strategies.

Herribert Derjacques unlocked the score count with a trey before Baya retaliated with baskets from Timmy Adam, Giovanni Laval and Robert Léon for an early 6-3 lead.
A free throw from Daniel Victor and another basket from veteran Jim Domingue tied the match at 6-6 before captain Steve Denis restored Baya’s lead – 8-6.
Disaster struck early for Baya when they lost Adam, who sprained his ankle after only three minutes of play in a collision with Hawks’ Daniel Victor.
Readjusting his game, coach Michel Malbrook sent Hendricks Denis on to replace Adam.

On the other hand, a well on form Victor was causing problems for Baya with his tight man-to-man defence and accurate passes.
Three more points from him and another two from Domingue tied the match at 13 apiece before Dave Roseline, Léon and Jean-Paul Camille gave Baya back the lead to end the first quarter on a 20-13 score.

In the second quarter, Hawks stepped up their game and penetrated their opponent’s defence, causing them to commit many fouls.
Early in the second period, Roseline committed his third personal foul, sending Romeo Victor to the free throw line. He scored and reduced Baya’s lead to only three points –20-17.
Both teams then scored several points with Baya in the lead until the fifth minute when Rodney Lozé levelled the score at 35-35, a situation which forced coach Malbrook to call for a time-out.
With 2.52 minutes left, a trey from Daniel Victor gave Hawks the lead –38-35 ¬– for the first time in the match.

Baskets from Camille and Hendricks Denis gave Baya back the lead while Barry Barron chipped in another for Hawks to finish the first half on 42-41 to Baya.
The third period was fiercely contested and the lead kept changing hands.
Baya, however, missed several opportunities to stretch their lead due to their inaccuracy on the free throw line. They converted only three out of 12 throws.
They received a double blow late in the quarter when they lost Robert Léon after he committed his fifth personal foul. He was followed less than a minute later by Hendricks Denis.
Hawks also lost two players in that quarter. Daniel Victor was sent off for his fifth foul while Rodney Lozé was ejected from the match after committing his second unsporting foul.
A free throw from captain Denis gave Baya a slight 65-64 lead at the end of the third period.
The fourth quarter kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Conscious that they had to outscore Baya by a minimum of five points if they were to win the league title, Hawks sent in all their resources.
Three treys from Barron brought the score to 90-85, keeping Hawks within range of grabbing the league title. But baskets from Nigel Annette, Laval and Roseline closed to the gap to two points –90-88.
With 16 seconds left and Baya already champions, Nigel Annette did something he will not forget in a long time.
Instead of running down the clock, he scored a basket to tie the game and rejuvenated Hawks.
To everybody’s surprise, the entire Baya entourage invaded the court in joy only to realise later that they had thrown away their title.
The main question being asked at the time was whether the Baya players and entire entourage were aware of their opponents’ five-point handicap. If yes, why did they not stop Annette from scoring the basket?
Extra time was given and a more determined Hawks scored 14 points compared to only eight for Baya.
With the 104-98 final score, PLS Hawks regained their champions’ status lost to Baya last season.
Barron was Hawks’ leading scorer with 29 points while Giovanni Laval was Baya’s top scorer with 20.

In the women’s match, Anse Boileau-based Hotshots dominated Anse Etoile Stars to comfortably defend their title.
After dominating the first and second quarters 20-14 and 13-7, Hotshots, who had Norcy Agathine replacing coach Phillip Arissol, kept the pressure on their opponents for a comfortable 55-33 lead at the end of the third quarter.
In the last period, they let down their guard, allowing Stars to bounce back and close the gap.
But by then, the damage had already been done as they lost 66-55.
Jenitta scored 24 points –including six treys – to lead Hotshots’ scoring, while with 14 points, captain Simone Malbrook was Stars’ top scorer.

By Erick Ochieng’

International Christian Centre (ICC) have widened their lead in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s Premier League by two points.

At the weekend, ICC, formerly known as the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), stopped Posta’s winning trend with 76-62 victory to rest at the top of the league standings with 22 points.
Philip Dinga and Paul Ojuoga scored 24 and 18 points for ICC.
Posta’s points came from Ben Oluoch and Desmond Owilly, who netted 15 and 11 points.
Last week, ICC shared the lead with Strathmore University, who now remain second with 20 points. Strathmore University had no game at the weekend.

Successful weekend

Bottom-placed Terror overcame Lomboritz 54-49 to put their points tally at 12.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) teams had successful weekend outings in Nairobi.
KPA men edged the United States International University-Africa (Usiu-A) 86-84 to rest at the sixth place in the standings with 18 points.
Also with 18 points are Posta, who collected a point and now stay a step ahead of KPA.
Co-op Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank also share 19 points a piece at position three and four .

Though still at the summit, Eastern Queens’ winning ways were cut short by Eagle Wings, who edged them 66-61.

Anastacia Njeri’s several three-pointers, that made Wings to fly in the start, destroyed Queens’ confidence.

KPA women moved to the third place with 17 points after destroying Usiu-A 66-26.

Sprite Storms and Eagle Wings now share 16 points each. Yana and Usiu-A are also level on 14 points and are bottom of the women’s standing.

Al Ittihad Alexandria after studying a lot of player CV coach Amr Abou El Khier decided to sign wit hthe American Guard Chudney Gray (188-G-78, college: St.John's) - 30 years - to join the greens the coming season, Chudney Gray had already arrived to Alexandria the home city of Al Ittihad Alexandria, Chudney Gray was nominated through his previous colleague in the Lebanese league and current Itthad team captin Ismail Ahmed.

On another hand Al Ittihad Alexandria will fly in the begining of October to participate at Hossam El Din Al Hariry friendly tournament 7 of October .

from africabasket.com

Al Ittihad Alexandria after studying a lot of player CV coach Amr Abou El Khier decided to sign wit hthe American Guard Chudney Gray (188-G-78, college: St.John's) - 30 years - to join the greens the coming season, Chudney Gray had already arrived to Alexandria the home city of Al Ittihad Alexandria, Chudney Gray was nominated through his previous colleague in the Lebanese league and current Itthad team captin Ismail Ahmed.

On another hand Al Ittihad Alexandria will fly in the begining of October to participate at Hossam El Din Al Hariry friendly tournament 7 of October .

from africabasket.com

by Olusegun Ikuesan)
Nigeria U16 national team Saturday continue it good run in the FIBA Africa Championship for U16 Men holding in Maputo, Mozambique beating Guinea by 68-61 points for it second group-B victory.

Nigeria now top the group having defeated Angola by 57-50 points last Friday.

In the other group-B game played Saturday Angola hammered Guinea by 85-54 points to register it first win while the group fifth team, Algeria was exempted.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
Police Bombers basketball club of Lagos Saturday add to the woes of Nigeria Customs basketball club in an Atlantic conference pairing of the Nigeria Basketball Federation organized DSTV sponsored Nigeria premier league at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

The game which was beamed live to basketball audience in Africa and the Diaspora through Supersport-9 saw both sides tying the first quarter at 20 points apiece with the border boys as the Customs team is known rallying to a slim 16-16 points win in the second quarter to gain a 36-35 points advantage going into the break.

The Coach Mark Balogun tutored Police Bombers side charged back like wounded corps at the resumption of hostilities after the half-time break to open a big win in the third quarter by 26-04 points, efforts by the Coach Scott Nnaji Customs players to replied the Police team in the fourth quarter could only yield little results, though they won the fourth quarter by 20-13 points but it was too late as they lost the battle to pick a first win in the league by 74-60 points.

Bombers youthful centre, Adeyemi Makanjuola led his teammates with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steal and one block, Ajodoh Ugbade had a double double of 14 rebounds and 10 points while Adedapo Peters contributed 11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 assist to his side victory which now gave them a 3-9 records.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
The fortune of former Nigeria Premier League champion, Ebun Comets basketball club of Lagos of picking a play-off ticket was brightened Sunday in the Atlantic conference of the DSTV Basketball League when it escape in the dying second to pick a valuable win against Dodan Warriors basketball club.

The young Comets side with Joshua Agbona as it most experienced player ran ring round the Warriors side in the first quarter winning by a wide margin of 21-12 points, the Warriors players charging back in the second quarter to win at 21-18 points to reduce the margin by three points to move into half-time break with six points deficit of 39-33 points.

The Coach Ayo Bakare tutored Comets side rallied back in the third quarter with a 20-17 points win in the high tempo game watched by cheering crowd that thronged the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

Determined to up-turn the table against Coach Bakare and his boys, the Warriors bench led by Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd) unleashed its fury on the Comets players with full-court press which almost paid off with the Warriors cutting off the margin between it and the Comets side and took a two points lead of 81-79 with seventeen second left and time-out called by the Comets bench.

Upon resumption of play after the expiration of the time-out, Warriors decided tto adopted a double teaming option which turned out to be their greatest undoing as the Comets players capitalized on the deficiency to level play and went on to increase their points hurl gaining two points advantage to maintain a clean slate over the Warriors whom they have earlier beaten by same margin when both sides first clashed in the first stanza of the league.

And in far away Port Harcourt visiting Union Bank basketball club of Lagos had it woes compounded by host Royal Hoopers basketball club with a 61-45 points victory.

The lose now leaves Union Bank team with a slim chances of making it to the play-offs with just two games left in the regular season.

By CAXTON APOLLO

National basketball league champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions crashed 72-70 at the hands of the regional kings, Co-operative Bank, in a closely contested return leg tie at the Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium at the weekend.

The victory was a sweet revenge for Co-op Bank, who lost the first leg match with half a basket (60-59).

Lions had started off well, with the intention of denying their fellow bankers all the four points, with a 18-16 first-quarter lead. But Co-op made quick decisions to change their game, which saw them snatch the second quarter 19-17. The teams tied the scores 35-35 at the breather.

On resumption, Victor Odendo, Dennis “Dikembe” Opiyo and Tobias Onyango of Lions were on target. And although Co-op resisted the pressure through the efforts of Eugene Genga and Richard Osano, Lions carried the third quarter 21-18.

Working strategy

It was in the last quarter where Co-op coaches Carey Oketch and Bosire Bogonko came out with a working strategy to prove their stubborn opponents wrong. Co-op outscored Lions 19-14 in the hour of need to grab the two points.

Osano and Genga each scored 18 points while Moses Kamau hit 11 for the winners. Odendo hit 17 points, Onyango shot 14 while Opiyo replied with 15 for Lions.

In the women’s category, Eagle Wings shattered Eastern Queens’ 10-match unbeaten run when they rocked them 66-61. Wings, who had faded against Queens in their season opener, losing 20-0, were this time round aggressive from start, racing a 8-0 early run.

Anastasia Njeri, Eunice Ouma and Bridgid Nanzala put Queens to task, making them go dry in five opening minutes. Wings were in a class of their own to lead 33-26 at half-time.

Head the standings

Queens, who still head the standings with 21 points despite losing their unbeaten run, came into the game a little bit too late and their 25-19 lead in the last quarter could not save them. Njeri scored 20 points and Ouma added 18 for Wings while Hilda Indasi scored 15, Mitcelle Otinda hit 12 and Linda Alando 11 for the losers.

In the men’s Division One league, Billy Ongute scored game-high 21 points while Steve McOdongo shot 11 to help Mennonites beat visiting Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 72-64. By CAXTON APOLLOPosted Sunday, September 20 2009 at 18:52

National basketball league champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions crashed 72-70 at the hands of the regional kings, Co-operative Bank, in a closely contested return leg tie at the Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium at the weekend.

The victory was a sweet revenge for Co-op Bank, who lost the first leg match with half a basket (60-59).

Lions had started off well, with the intention of denying their fellow bankers all the four points, with a 18-16 first-quarter lead. But Co-op made quick decisions to change their game, which saw them snatch the second quarter 19-17. The teams tied the scores 35-35 at the breather.

On resumption, Victor Odendo, Dennis “Dikembe” Opiyo and Tobias Onyango of Lions were on target. And although Co-op resisted the pressure through the efforts of Eugene Genga and Richard Osano, Lions carried the third quarter 21-18.

Working strategy

It was in the last quarter where Co-op coaches Carey Oketch and Bosire Bogonko came out with a working strategy to prove their stubborn opponents wrong. Co-op outscored Lions 19-14 in the hour of need to grab the two points.

Osano and Genga each scored 18 points while Moses Kamau hit 11 for the winners. Odendo hit 17 points, Onyango shot 14 while Opiyo replied with 15 for Lions.

In the women’s category, Eagle Wings shattered Eastern Queens’ 10-match unbeaten run when they rocked them 66-61. Wings, who had faded against Queens in their season opener, losing 20-0, were this time round aggressive from start, racing a 8-0 early run.

Anastasia Njeri, Eunice Ouma and Bridgid Nanzala put Queens to task, making them go dry in five opening minutes. Wings were in a class of their own to lead 33-26 at half-time.

Head the standings

Queens, who still head the standings with 21 points despite losing their unbeaten run, came into the game a little bit too late and their 25-19 lead in the last quarter could not save them. Njeri scored 20 points and Ouma added 18 for Wings while Hilda Indasi scored 15, Mitcelle Otinda hit 12 and Linda Alando 11 for the losers.

In the men’s Division One league, Billy Ongute scored game-high 21 points while Steve McOdongo shot 11 to help Mennonites beat visiting Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 72-64.

Impressive results

Mennonites took the game seriously from the first buzzer to lead 45-38 at half-time. Fred Lugasi had no support, but he managed to score 11 points for the Kakamega-based students.

Parklands Baptist continued to post impressive results in the second leg when they defeated Nairobi Pentecostal Church 68-44. The winners looked too smart for their weak opponents to lead 32-28 at half-time.

Daniel Imbali did the damage, scoring 21 points, Collins Ngira had 18 and Hillary Radcliff 11 for Baptists. Kenneth Githinji struggled to reply with 13 for NPC.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
Atlantic conference leader of the DSTV Basketball League Lagos Islanders basketball club Friday continue its dominance of the conference and remained the only club yet to taste the bitter pile of defeat in the ongoing league with a 72-62 points victory over Dodan Warriors basketball club in a game that was beamed live on Supersport-9 to basketball audience in the whole of Africa.

The Coaches Ogoh Odaudu and Shina Wahab tutored side showed great promises from the blast of the referee whistle winning the first quarter by 22-15, tied the second quarter at 16 points apiece to go into the half-time break with a 38-31 points advantage.

The die-hard Dodan Warriors side fought back strongly in the third and fourth quarters but could not curtail the Islanders offense and deep defense ending both quarters with a 14-12 and 20-19 points lose respectively to go down by 72-62.

Islanders forward, Kingsley Aguara led his teammate with 19 points, 4 rebounds, one steal and one block-shot he is joined by Shola Alayande who recorded 12 points, 3 steal and 2 assists to his credit.

Warriors captain, Edwin Jerry led the floor with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists ad 2 steal, while enterprising guard, Mohammed Bukar added 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steal.

Islanders led the board with 42 rebounds, 29 of which were picked why defending their post against Dodan Warriors 39 rebounds recorded 75.9 percent from the free throw line against Warriors 52.4 percent.

And Saturday (Today) at the same venue Nigeria Customs basketball club quest for first win in the league will be put to test as it engage Police Bombers basketball club at 14.00 hours.

The game will be televised live on Supersport-9.

Other games billed for the weekend in the DSTV Basketball League will see Union Bank basketball club of Lagos traveling to the garden city in Port Harcourt to keep a date with Royal Hoopers basketball club on Sunday as the other Atlantic conference game between Delta Force basketball club of Asaba and Ebun Comets basketball club of Lagos has been rescheduled for September 29.

Today in the Savannah conference, Kano Pillars will take on AHIP Giants in a local derby at the sports hall of the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano; Bauchi Net will engage Yelwa Hawks in another local derby in Bauchi just as Jos fans will be treated to the best of basketball action as their two darling teams Tapgun Rockets and Plateau Peaks go for each other jugular in another local derby while Kadda Stars basketball club will be at home to Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos at the beautiful sports hall of the Kaduna State Sports Council at the Murtala Square, Kaduna.

Friday Results 18/09/09
Dodan Warriors 62-72 Lagos Islanders

DSTV Basketball Club Todays Game (19/09/09)

Atlantic Conference
Nigeria Customs Vs Police Bombers

Savannah Conference
Kano Pillars Vs AHIP Giant
Bauchi Net Vs Yelwa Hawks
Tapgun Rockets Vs Plateau Peaks

Sunday Games (20/09/09)
Atlantic Conference
Royal Hoopers Vs Union Bank

Savannah Conference
Kadda Stars Vs Plateau Peaks

Host of the 2009 edition of FIBA Africa Championship for U16 Men, Mozambique, Nigeria, Mali, Algeria begin their chase for the coveted trophy on winning note Friday in the opening day of the championship in Maputo, Mozambique.

Mozambique drawn in Group-A alongside, Mali, Egypt and South Africa defeated its FIBA Africa Zone-6 neighbour, South Africa by 54-50 points while Mali spanked Egypt by 71-59 points to top the group.

In group-B Nigeria humbled Angola by 57-50 points to set the tune for an ambition to conquer the rest of Africa just as Algeria trashed Central Africa Republic by 85-34 points.

Nigeria will on Saturday (Today) take on Guinea in her second group-B game while Central Africa Republic and Angola search for their first win when both sides take to the sports hall in Maputo in another group-B encounter

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Saturday results
KIU 82-59 Riders
Rhino 93-78 Bushcourt
Berkley 81-51 Gulu
Kings 73-58 Diamonds
Women
Nabisunsa 69-27 Amazon
Bucks 80-58 Crane High
Wednesday at YMCA
Livingstone v MBC Rocks 5pm
Amazon v Leopards 7pm
Falcons v Ndejje 8:30pm

For the opening five minutes of the final session, Knight Riders couldn’t score. And that was the turning point in an MTN-Fuba League game they seemed destined to wrestle from Kampala International University (KIU)’s grip.

Riders had a terrible start, losing the first quarter 8-23 and the second 20-19 but stepped up the gear, going into the last session trailing by only six points (51-57).
That score pointed to a very close finish and maybe victory for Riders, who had worked unbelievably hard to reduce a hitherto seemingly unattainable deficit.

But KIU turned on the style and stretched the lead to 66-51 within just two minutes. With four minutes left, Nimrod Kaboha’s university side had established a comfortable 70-52 lead and it was all over for Riders despite the continuous cheers from a small crowd at YMCA Wandegeya. Final score: 82-78, a result that confirmed that Riders won’t play in the men’s topflight next season.

It was their 11th loss from 13, which leaves them second-bottom on the 10-team table. For KIU, who had their worst start to a season this year, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

From fighting relegation a few weeks ago, KIU are now back in play-offs contention. “We are back in the picture. All my players have returned from holiday,” coach Kaboha revealed.
“We just have to keep focused, and who knows we could play in our first play-offs this season.” The Kasanga-based side moved up to fifth with 19 points but still face a daunting task to pip Miracle, Ndejje and Marines to the last play-off slot.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Friday results
DMark Power 82-78 Marines
UCU Canons 68-82 Miracle
Women
A-1 Challenge 73-49 KIU
Today at YMCA
Crane High v Hawks 10am
UCU JV v Sky Jammers 11.30am
Vegetarian v Heaters 2.30pm
Warriors v Marines 5.30pm
Women
Mak Cubs v Nabisunsa 1pm
Stormers v Lady Canons 4pm

The recent chilly weather seems to be keeping away basketball crowds. Night games are now played before nearly-empty stands but the few that turned up at YMCA Wandegeya on Friday night were treated to one of the most entertaining games this season, thanks to a resilient Nkumba Marines side that made champions DMark Power look so ordinary.

Beaten, 110-66 in the first round fixture, Marines came fired up to inflict revenge on Power but fell short 78-82. Power made it 13 out of 13 and remain on course to finish the regular season unbeaten but Marines sent a warning to Warriors, their opponents tonight, that they are still capable of contending with the giants, comfortably.

Ken Balyejusa did the demolition job for Power, scoring 11 points and setting up several assists as Power held onto their slim (38-37) halftime lead to condemn former two-time champions Marines to their sixth loss of the season. Isaac Afidra top scored for Power with 16 points, Donald Blick grabbed 14 and his brother Norman 11.

Marines’ point guard Danson Nganti recorded a game high 19 points, Phillip Wakimwero 16 and Julius Lutwama 11 although he missed four free throws that would have changed the tide of the game inside the last two minutes.

With only five games to end the regular season, 2005 women champions A-1 Challenge also remain unbeaten after they easily demolished fading Kampala International University (KIU) Rangers 73-49 in an earlier game. Kassim Hatima (16 points), Rosette Meya (12) and Charlene Karungi (11) guided A-1 Challenge to their 15th victory while Judith Ayo (14) top scored for KIU and won the Man of the Match accolade. Miracle Eagles piled more misery on UCU Canons, beating them 82-68.

In margin of FIBA Africa zone 3 Nations Championship for women qualifiers, FIBA Africa donated 500 balls to Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
This ceremony took place on 15th September in National stadium of Lagos, Nigeria. The technical Commission, Ines Laure Engama representing the Secretary general of FIBA Africa, handed the balls over to the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Umar Tijani.
This donation is a part of the Development programme of FIBA Africa to National Federations.

FIBA Africa

by Olusegun Ikuesan)
...Game beamed live on Supersport-9

Dodan Warriors basketball club continue its chase for a comfortable placement in the Atlantic conference of the DSTV sponsored Nigeria Premier League when it engage conference leader, Lagos Islanders basketball club.

The Game number-42 earlier schedule for Wednesday was moved to Friday at instance of the sponsors television which has promised to beam the game live to basketball fans across Africa on Supersports-9.

Dunk-off time is 14.00 hours local time at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

Dodan Warriors coached by the duo of Coaches Adeka Dauda and Peter Ahmedu with great support from team coordinator, Col. Samuel Ahmedu has vowed to take their pound of flesh from the Islanders who was the better side when both team clashed last month with the Ogoh Odaudu and Shina Wahab both former players of the Dodan Warriors basketball club tutored Islanders basketball club gaining the upper hand by 75-63 points and end the conference leader unbeaten run of the season.

Players line-up: Dodan Warriors - 4 MOHAMMED BUKAR, 5 EMEKA OBIEKE, 6 SEUN OLANREWAJU, 8 EDWIN JERRY, 9 ANTHONY AHMEDU, 10 ABAYOMI OYENIYI, 11 ONYEKA ODI, 12 CHUKWUEMEKA OKOLI, 13 CHRISTOPHER BASSEY OBETEN, 14 KAYODE BALOGUN, 16 JOSSY OYEDUN, 19 GODWIN IKONSHUL.

Players line-up: Islanders - 4 HILLARY AIGBOKHAODE, 5 MICHAEL OHIERO, 6 WILLIAM NDOUMBE, 7 SAMSON JOHN, 8 SHOLA ALAYANDE, 9 AZUOMA DIKE, 10 ONYEKA ONWOLA, 11 IBRAHIM OKPE, 12 POPE OKOJIE, 13 KINGSLEY AGUARA, 14 ANYEBE ALEXANDRA, 15 GODSPOWER IGBEN

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

For 365 days, dazzling Ivan Enabu will not feature in the MTN-Fuba League yet his team is steadily sliding into relegation.

He is a darling to basketball fans due to his incredible dribbling skills and many will shed a tear or two for the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons star. His quality and past disciplinary record however couldn’t come into play as the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) technical committee set out to punish him and three other players for engaging in an ugly brawl during a league game on September 6.

To the surprise of many, the usually humble Enabu fought with Falcons’ Sande Okot as his team went on to lose 65-83. “We looked at the gravity of the matter, did our investigations, involved several witnesses and scrutinized the referee’s report. All our findings pointed to one thing - the players in question are all guilty,” Fuba technical committee head William Musaazi told Daily Monitor yesterday.

Whereas Enabu and Okot will sit out for a full year, two other players that later joined the scuffle – Isaac Lugudde (Falcons) and Michael Mityero (UCU Canons) – have been handed a four-match suspension.

“Lugudde and Mityero showed an intention to fight but didn’t engage each other physically, that’s why they received a lighter ban. But the other two, we had no option but to invoke article 8.2 of the rules and regulations.” For failing to control the game properly, referees Edward Sendi and John Omondi have also been suspended for one month, pending review.

“It’s a deterrent measure, we want to make sure all our match officials are at their best every time they are on the court,” Musaazi noted. “They failed to do their job.”

Strathmore University and regional champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya posted impressive wins during the premier league matches played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium over the weekend.

The students man handled league leaders International Christian Center (ICC) bringing them down to earth with a 81-74 win.. Co-op on the other hand were too strong for Lomboritz hitting them hard with a 80-44 drubbing at the same venue.

ICC got off to a bright start taking a close 21-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. But the Blades cut through in the second quarter turning the tide 26-13 as the two sides went to the break. In the Third quarter, ICC still trailed 23-17.

The losers, sensing the game was getting out of reach pilled on the pressure and a Griffin Ligare three pointer cut the advantage to a ten point deficit at 64-74 and another one saw ICC down by three - 71-74 with only 1:58 to play. But they let the winners off the hook again.

Tiberius Menya drove the lanes for a 78-71 edge and almos immediately another Vincent Anyim basket made the scores 80-71 a move that potentially killed off any ICC threats. David Ogolla iced the win with a free throw for Tony Ochieng boys.

Ken Maru led the victors with a 22 point haul Ogolla bagged 19 while Philip Amenyi made 12. For ICC, it was Ligare and Phil Dinga combination that troubled the siudents. They had 23 and 22 respectively with Paul Ojua hitting 11.

Co-op Bank made their contest with Lomboritz look as easy for the winners as soon as it started after the bankers rolled away to an easy 25-7 advantage. But Lomboritz had their fare share of the proceedings when they took the second 16-13 but still trailed 38-23 at the break.

When the game resumed after the ten minutes break, Co-op were at it again building another 25-8 lead that the struggling opponents battled hard to reduce. In the fourth they did but only with a slim 13-11 edge.This yawner, watched by only a few fans, had its exiting moments in only the last quarter.

It was Richard Osano's who sparked the cheers with two rim roasting slams from alley oop passes. Eugene Genga and Salim Ali led Co-op with 15 points each while Allan Ouma nailed 13. Lomboritz, still with only one win to their credit had 11 from Allan Gatembo

Posta played poorly and barely scrapped home to an unconvincing 63-57 victory over winless University of Nairiobi "Terrorists" 63-57. Once again it was the old legs of Ben Oluoch that lifted the team from the jaws of defeat. He hit 20 points for the mailmen.

The campus lads caused all sorts of problems in their best game ever. They were down 12-10 in both the first and the second quarters before the mailmen roared away 29-19 in the second and a close shave taking the last 17-16. Sammy Kiria nailed 21 points and Rodney Genga posted 20 for UoN.

Sprite Storms did not score any points in the last quarter and went on to be embarassed 64-19 by unbeaten Eastern Queens in the women's tie. The leaders topped 16-6, had a poor second quarter 10-8 but went into over drive in the third 21-5 before closing the show with a 18-0 run in the last. In all this effort, only Joyce Nyagol bagged double figures.. She had 10.

Eagle Wings returned after a brief break to hit Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 61-38. The winners led 18-10 in the first quarter, 11-2 in the second, 14-13 in the third and 18-13 in the fourth. Anastasia Njeri provided 16 points while Bridgit Nanzala made 15. KCA had 13 from Lucy Machuma and 12 from Hellan Atieno.

Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University beat Mennonites 78-65 in a lower division match up. Both sides were tied 32 all at the break. Titus Musembi scored 20 points for the winners while Collins Ochieng shot game high 33 points for the losers.

Africa Nazarene University (ANU) returned to face Parklands Baptist side that slammed them 102-78 and becoming the second side in the lower division to post a century scores. Joseph Situma had 10 points asnd Radcliffe Nyamai hit 20 for the winners. ANU, down 28-46 at the break, had game high 27 from Egdar Kisiali and 19 from Andrew Kihumba.

In a high scoring tie, Mennonites turned on the head in the last half to beat Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) 90-76 after being up 44-32 at half time. Steve McOdongo nailed 22 points while Collins Ochieng scored 21 for the "Knights".. NPC had 17 from Ken Githinji and 13 from Victor McOsewe.

In the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) provincial league matches played at Railways Club, leaders Trailblazers had 18 points from Dennis Oyaro and 11 from Present Orengo as they beat Kenya Polytechnic University 62-56 in a closely fought duel. Poly had 17 from Lameck Obuya.

Baraka Xtreme dressed only six players but still were too smart for a disjointed Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) side whom they blanked 64-50 behind 20 points from Peter Kimani and 14 from George Onasis.Erick Walucho scored 14 for KAA. Manasseh Otieno had 21 to guide Old Pirates to a 47-18 win over Upper Hill School.

Old Pirates pipped Madison 60-54 in a cracker. Eugene Mutekhele contributed 16 points for the winners while Romanus Nehondo bagged 21 for Madison. Xtreme lost 46-55 to Kenya Polytechnic University as Alfrick Agutu hit 14 points for Poly and Baraka had 11 from George Onassis.

Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) broke away late to win 53-38 over Upper Hill Schoool. Geoffrey Sozzi led with 15 and the losers had 18 from Dominic Shitanda.Old Pirates pipped Madison 60-54 in a cracker. Eugene Mutekhele contriburted 16 points for the winners while Romanus Nehondo bagged 21 for Madison.

Baraka lost 46-55 to Kenya Polytechnic as Alfrick Agutu hit 14 points for Poly and Baraka had 11 from George Onassis. Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) broke away late to win 53-38 over Upper Hill Schoool. Geoffrey Sozzi led with 15 and the losers had 18 from Dominic Shitanda.

In the women's matches, Africa Nazarene University (ANU), handled by former national team star Wilkister Oduor continued to improve by the day posting their biggest win with a deserved 37-30 downing of former champions Predators.Hellen Olilo made 17.

Lillian Jonah was on fire as she made 20 points for Predators who preyed on Kenya Polytechnic winning 49-29 as Winni Kanani and Wilikster Oduor made 16 and 14 points respectively. World Hope had 13 from Purity Shelly in a 47-33 win over improved ANU who had Olilo showing the way with 10.Kenya Poly also beat Baraka 48-14.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Sande Bashaija
Kampala

Today at YMCA
Heaters v MBC Rocks 5.30pm
Warriors v Ndejje 8.30pm
Women
Mak Sparks v Lady Bucks 7pm

Warriors have lost only once this season but should turn up prepared for their second loss when they come up against Ndejje University Angels in an MTN-Fuba League encounter at YMCA Wandegeya today, the latter’s coach has said.

“I know they will come out ready to have a walk in the park but that won’t be the case. We are ready to shock them,” coach Walker Obedi told Daily Monitor yesterday.

Despite being newcomers in the men’s topflight this season, Ndejje have had a nice ride and remain hopeful of grabbing a place in the play-offs. They are currently fifth and need to displace one of the top four teams to make the post-season. “It’s just amazing how this young team have coped with life against the big boys. At first, our goal was to fight relegation, but now we are targeting the play-offs,” Obedi said.

source : http://www.monitor.co.ug

While Kenya has had a successful run in basketball in the region, the country has not been doing well in the continent.

During last year’s Africa Women’s Championship held at the Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium in Nairobi, despite being the hosts, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s Premier League champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) finished eighth, even losing to debutants APR of Rwanda.

Desportivo of Mozambique won the event in which Primero de Agosto of Angola emerged runners-up.

But the team recovered to win this year’s regional clubs championship in Uganda, Kampala, alongside compatriots Co-operative Bank (Co-op Bank), who won the men’s title. Co-op Bank is also gearing up for African Club Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, in December.

Even then, the teams’ current form is wanting and there is need for team officials and KBF to put a strategy in place if they are to stand the test in Rwanda and Benin, where this year’s championships for men and women will be held in November and December. The tendency for last-minute preparation should be a thing of the past.

Having been to many continental championships, KPA should be aiming at a medal to show for their effort. So far, the KPA’s best performance was in 1999 in Senegal, where they finished fourth.

The teams should use local league fixtures to prepare for their continental title chase so that they do not merely make up the numbers. Like it did before the regional championships, KBF should restructure local league ties involving the teams to give them adequate time to prepare for the continental event.

By Erick Ochieng’

Africa Zone Five and national basketball champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are yet to start preparing for a continental tournament slated Cotonou, Benin, from November 13 to 28.

However, KPA blame the Kenya Basketball Federation for the delay saying national league fixtures are congested.
KPA officials said yesterday they had been drawn to play many away fixtures in favour of other teams.

Two weekends ago the team travelled from Mombasa to Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium to play Eastern Queens; and on Saturday they will be back to tackle United States International University-Africa.
They said a team should have travelled to Mombasa to play KPA at their Makande gymnasium.

League fixtures

"It is tiresome to players. Recently we were in Kampala, Uganda, for the regional competition, then the Kecoso Games. It would have been better if we were awarded home league fixtures," said KPA coach Anthony Ojukwu.

He urged KPA fans to calm down following their defeat by Eastern Queens in the first leg. "The league is open and the defeat was a wake-up call for us, KPA have been winning for the past ten years and I don’t see why eyebrows should be raised after losing to Queens."

Each game

My message to Queens is: "Let us meet in the playoff finals to see who command the shots," said Ojukwu.
He said defeat by APR of Rwanda at the preliminaries of the Africa Zone Five championship and by Queens "were lessons to us. We have learnt to take each game seriously".

KPA has urged teams in the national league to emulate women’s African champions, Desportivo, of Mozambique and runners-up, Primo de Agosto, of Angola.
"Why these teams constantly beat us is because they have adequate exposure. Their local league is competitive as they sign up players from other countries," Ojukwu says.

National league runners-up Co-operative Bank, who finished top at the Africa Zone Five championship in the men’s category, will proceed to Rwanda for a similar event in December.

By Erick Ochieng’

Eastern Queens thrashed Sprite Storms 64-19 in the return leg of a Kenya Basketball Federation League match at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

Queens won the first quarter 15-6. Sue Mumbi started off Sprite Storms with a two-pointer and Joyce Alividza added a half basket following a foul awarded to them. Hilda Indasi netted a three-pointer to give Queens into an unassailable lead.

Sprite Storms, whose players made a mass exodus to Queens at the beginning of the league, upped their game in the second quarter but were edged by the winners 10-8.

Occasionally, the handful spectators at the gymnasium would cheer as Angela Luchivya and Mumbi co-ordinated their play upfront.

Storms made the best use of time outs called by their coach, Dan Halwenge.
Storms lacked ball control skills, while Queens did a lot of miscalculation at the loop. Queens led 25-14 before the teams broke for half time.

Third quarter

Queens were aggressive on resumption and led the third quarter 21-5 before making things totally difficult for Storms in the fourth.

Queens won the last session 18-0 to carry the day with a 64-19 margin. Queens, therefore, confirmed they were superior to Storms having defeated them in the first leg last month.

Yesterday’s game was not as entertaining as the first leg one that left many fans on the edge of their seats. Only Luchivya was in top form yesterday.
She was remarkable with 13 points, a game high in the contest. Team-mate Susan Mwembi managed four. Joyce Nyagol and Brenda Odula scored for Queens 12 and nine points.

had nine0

Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U) defeated Mennonites 78-65 in a men’s Division One match at the venue.
KCA-U won the quarters 12-6, 22-26, 20-10 and 24-23.Victor Okello (18 points) and Titus Musembi (20) scored for KCA-U.
Collins Ochieng scored a game high 33 points and was assisted by Polycarp Omondi who had nine for Mennonites.

Co-operative Bank overcame Lomboritz 80-44 in the men’s Premier League.

In the Nairobi Basketball Association League at Railway Club, Kenya Polytechnic beat Baraka Extreme 48-14 and 55-46 in the women and men’s encounters.

By CAXTON APOLLO

Strathmore University moved to the top of the basketball Premier League table for the first time ever after picking up two points at Nyayo Stadium at the weekend.

The students put up a spirited fight to beat International Christian Centre 81-74 on Sunday to increase their points tally to 20.

ICC, who have been in the driving seat of the nine-team competition since the start of the second leg, are now tied with the students in the same top spot.

After losing their fourth match, ICC have also garnered 20 points from eight wins and four loses. Strathmore have seven matches and lost five.They shocked Co-op Bank 70-65.

Polished students

ICC played poorly against Strathmore University. They were down by a huge 18 points margin (69-51) in the last quarter making it difficult for them to recover against the well polished students.

Strathmore led 46-34 at half-time and it was only in the last quarter that ICC won 23-12. Kennedy Maru scored 22 points, David Ogolla had 19 and Philip Amenyi added 12 for Strathmore.

ICC, who were left desperate attempting three-pointers unnecessarily, had 23 poi nts from Griffins Ligare and Philip Dinga 22.

KCB Lions,without any engagement over the weekend, lie second on the table with 18 points. The bankers have played 10 matches, won eight and lost two. Co-op Bank kept their third position intact following their easy 80-44 win over Lomboritz and have 7 points from six wins and five loses.

Co-op had little problems in their victory over Lomboritz leading 38-23 at half-time. Eugene Genga and Roy Kahure had 15 points each with Allan Ouma adding 13 for the winners.

Posta struggled to beat Terrorists 63-57 after both teams had tied 22-22 at the breather. The victory saw the mailmen move from eight to sixth position on standings with 15 points from 10 outings.

Eastern Queens and Kenya College of Accountancy still occupy the top two positions on the women’s table standings after last weekend’s results.
Queens demolished Sprite Storms 64-19 while KCA crashed 61-38 to the unbeaten Eagle Wings.

Newcomers

Eastern Queens head the competition with 20 points after winning all their 10 matches. KCA are in the second position with 18 points from 11 games.

The university students, who are newcomers in the championship, have won seven matches.

Eagle Wings are fourth on the eight-team standings with 15 points from 10 matches. They have won seven matches and dropped one point after failing to honour their season opener against Eastern Queens.

Kenya Ports Authority and Storms have also managed 15 points. Terrorists are the only winless side in the men’s championship

Results:

Eagle Wings 61 KCA 38, NPC 67 Mennonites 90, Co-op Bank 80 Lomboritz 44, Parklands Baptist 103 Africa Nazarene University 72, Posta 63 Terrorists 57, Eastern Queens 64 Storms 19, ICC 74 Strathmore University 81, KCA 78 Mennonites 65

Nigeria senior Women national team, D’Tigress earned a hard victory over Cote d’Ivoire in Game-3 of the FIBA Africa Championship for Women Zone-III qualifiers by 71-64 points to book a place in the final round of the 21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women billed for Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The third game became necessary after both side tied on points for and against with Cote d’Ivoire winning Game-1 on Monday by 55-52 while Nigeria won the second game Tuesday by 66-63 points to stretch the elimination series into a third game to break the ties.

Both sides had begun the third game on a fast but cautious note with Nigeria winning the first quarter by 23-20 points, the Coach Ayo Bakare tutored Nigerian side extended the gap between her and her Ivories counterpart in the second quarter with a 23-11 points win to go into the break with a 46-31 points advantage.

The Coach Simon Guillou tutored young Ivories side came into the third quarter with greater zeal and determination which paid off for them as they won the quarter by 16-14 points to reduce the gap by two points.
The Kani Kouyate inspired Ivories side determination to upturn the table against their Nigerian foe in the fourth quarter only yielded a 17-11 point’s win for a cumulative scoreline of 71-64 points in favour of Nigeria.
Nigeria forward, Rashidat Sadiq led her team with 23 points and 12 rebounds, Vera Ellong added 14 points while the duo of Mfon Udoka and Tamunomiete Whyte contributed 12 points each.
Mariama Kouyate led the floor with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, her kid sister and teammate Kani Kouyate added 22 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.


FIBA Africa

THIS year’s league title will be decided on Saturday when defending champions and league leaders Baya will meet second-placed PLS Hawks in their last match of the season.

Both title contenders registered victories in their weekend matches, bringing more excitement to the race for the throne.

On Saturday, PLS Hawks came a step closer in their quest to overthrow Baya as champions with a precious victory over a stubborn MBU Rockers side.
All started well for Hawks, who dominated the first quarter with veteran guard Heribert Derjaques firing twice from the three-point range, giving his team a 17-11 lead with two minutes of play remaining.

Realising the danger, coach Paul Denis called a time-out to try to remedy the situation, only to see Hawks add seven more points compared to only two for Rockers to end the first period on 24-13 score.

Ten consecutive points – including two treys – from Cyril Agrippine and two more from Nigel Henriette in the second quarter brought Rockers into the lead for the first time in the match, which forced coach Tony Juliette to call for his first time-out.

But his advice seemed unheeded as his players continued to commit stupid mistakes, which allowed Rockers to increase their lead for a 40-37 score at half-time.

Two treys from Robert Francis, who took over the shooting role from Agrippine, steered Rockers further into the lead only to see a Hawks comeback with baskets from Jim Domingue and Neddy ‘Oye’ Fanchette. With the twin towers of the Hawks – Domingue and Fanchette – combining for 16 points, a trey from Derjacques and two points from captain Bernard Bristol restored their lead with the score at 59-58 at the end of the third period.

In the final quarter, which was fiercely contested, Rockers forced their opponents into committing a lot of fouls but their inaccuracy on the free-throw line let them down.

At the other end, Hawks used all their scoring opportunities to increase the gap.
Keeping his calm throughout, experienced Domingue scored nine points while Barry Barron chipped in another four for the Hawks, taking them to a well deserved 76-69 victory.
Domingue was Hawks’ top scorer with 19 points while Cyril Agrippine led the scoring for MBU with 25 points.

In the other matches played during the weekend, Baya beat Mont Fleuri Dawgz 76-58, while Beau Vallon Heat defeated Angels 65-59.

On Saturday on Praslin, Cascade Bullets edged out Praslin Warriors 85-82.

In two men’s second division encounters, AAP Brothers beat Drifters 58-53 while Pointe Larue Falcons were winners against Juniors, 54-37.

As for next weekend’s title match, Hawks will have to beat Baya by a minimum five-point margin if they are to win the title as the latter have a slight advantage after winning the first round encounter 84-80.

R. D.

Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will start the race for that made it to the final round of the 21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women slated for Madagascar on Monday and Tuesday at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

Both countries are the only two countries out of the eight nations that made-up the zone to fight for the zone’s sole ticket to Madagascar in what looks likes ‘Battle for Supremacy’ in a two-legged encounter.
Nigeria is parading a mixture of tested and young but determined players led by former captain, Mfon Udoka against the young and enterprising Ivories side.
Other player on the Nigeria line-up includes, Rashidat Sadiq, Vivian Ewalefo, Funmilayo Ojelabi, Magdalene Ukato, Nkechi Akashili, Vera Angwe, Chioma Udeaja, Tamuno Whyte, Ekebo Ima-Obong, Amaka Adibeli and Ijeoma Uchendu
The two-legged games between both sides come on Monday and Tuesday at 17.00 hours local time.
Ines Engama is the official FIBA technical official in-charge of the qualifiers.