Basketball in Africa

THE Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) polls have once again been pushed back to December 19 for lack of funds.

The federation's President, Richard Kaselela, said in Dar es Salaam today that they need over 6m/- to hold the polls.

He said that the funds would cater for accommodation, meals and upkeep allowances for the delegates.
"The NSC has given us 1m/- but it's not enough. We will work round the clock to settle the deficit," he said.
The elections were earlier planned to be held on October 13 and then moved to November 28.
However, he asked the regional affiliates to look for funds, as the federation may fail to raise the required money.
"Given the limited time, we may fail to raise the funds, so the regional associations should find a way on how to meet the costs for their members," he said.
Kasesela said that the proposed new date will not change again, as the leaders in power are not allowed to pass the December 19 final mark.

By Brown Msyani

Frank Mwamwezi and Himid Choka guided JKT to the Grace Daudi Memorial Basketball title after beating archrivals ABC 26-12 in the epic final at Mgulani courts, Dar es Salaam.

Mwamwezi slammed home nine points while Choka pumped eight more, romping the team to a convincing win. The best scorer for ABC was Gilbert Batungi who posted five points
Before the final, JKT defeated Mgulani B 16-15 in closely fought semis at the same venue while ABC had an easy 16-7 victory.

The winners JKT began the tournament with 13-7 victory over Chui. Francis Mlewa who pumped in nine points was the match's top scorer. Kulwa Mbozu scored three for Chui.

PTW sealed a slim 18-17 victory over Chui in one of the exciting basketball matches. Chui who were leading 9-7 at the first half squandered several scoring opportunities.

Gwakisa Mwasakyeni was the match�s top scorer with nine points followed by his team mate Kulwa Mbozu who penned eight points.

Abbass Hussein and Shaaban Mhunzi steered ABC to 25-6 win over Mgulani in a one-sided match. Both players scored six points each.

In netball Jeshi Stars humiliated Filbert Bayi School 11-7 before Taifa Queens beating CMTU 10-4 in the second match.
Jeshi Stars organised the event to pay homage to Grace Daudi, Jeshi Stars, and national team player who died last year after a short illness. Daudi was the best East African defender in both basketball and netball.

"More than 10 teams took part in the tournament and plans are underway to make the memorial tournament an annual event," said Jeshi Stars coach Leonard Kwale.

THE honours in the season-ending Top-of-the-table competitions went to Mont Fleuri (women), Razors (men’s division two) and PLS Hawks (men’s division one) after Saturday’s finals at the Palais des Sports.

Youth, Sports and Culture principal secretary Denis Rose and National Sports Council chief executive Alain Volcère were among the big crowd who came to see their teams wrap up the season in style with important wins.

Messrs Rose and Volcère also gave out the prizes to the winners and runners-up of the different competitions and to the best players of the year.

Mont Fleuri shock Stars

Dubois spearheads Mont Fleuri to victoryMont Fleuri were the underdogs against Anse Etoile Stars but they turned the table on their more illustrious opponents to claim their first title in more than three years.

After losing the first quarter 13-19, Mont Fleuri outscored Stars 21-6 in the second to go for the break with a 12-point advantage (34-22).

Curtain-raiser winners Stars, who eliminated league and cup double achievers HotShots in the semifinal, started the fourth quarter trailing by one – 41-42 – after a strong third-quarter performance during which they scored 19 and restricted Mont Fleuri to 8.

Captain Simone Malbrook and company just could not maintain the momentum and they paid the price for letting Mont Fleuri settle into the game once again. It was no surprise to see the Stars lose the fourth quarter 11-20 and the match 52-62.

Veteran Williana Doubois led all scores with 18 points, including two 3-pointers, and two of her Mont Fleuri teammates – Bernadette Songor and Tracey Hétimier – finished with 14 apiece.

The win has given Dubois the much-needed energy to continue playing next year.
“This is a morale-boosting win. I’ll be back again next year to help my team join the chase for more titles. We have some good players around and they deserve some encouragement,” 42-year-old Dubois told Sports Nation.

Malagasy Miantrasiory Rakotomoudiman got 11 and Lucia Souffe was the Star’s other player in double figures with 10.
In the last Top-of-the-table final in 2006, Stars scorched Mont Fleuri 85-34 to succeed the defunct Bel Air team as champions.

Razors win

Razors won the battle against teams who have won promotion to the men’s division one Alex Baron (number 9) jumps to counter RA Herons’ Sebastien Laurencenext year, beating RA Herons 64-47.

Men’s bottom-division winners Razors had three players – Alex Baron (15 points), Liston Reginald (13) and Sandy Moustache (12), – scoring in double digits as they won the second and fourth quarters 17-7 and 20-12 after the first finished tied at 15-15 and losing the third 7-17.

“It has been an eventful and perfect season in terms of results for us. We look forward to play in the first division next year,” said Razors captain Serge Radegonde.

Keddy Moustache had the hot hands with 11 points for RA Herons who will also play top-flight basketball next year after beating Beau Vallon Heat in the play-offs. Ryan Underwood finished with 10.

Lozé leads Hawks to victory

He probably did not know that he had been chosen as the male basketballer of the year, but international centre Rodney Lozé was in buoyant mood to carry PLS Hawks to a 75-67 victory over Baya in the men’s division one final.

Lozé (right) and Baya’s Timmy Adam fight for a reboundLozé, 29, had a monster second-half performance, dominating the defensive and offensive boards and finishing off his team’s attacks to get 27 of his game-leading 33 points as Hawks turned a 10-point (26-36) half-time deficit into an eight-point margin win.

Ahead 18-16 after the first 10 minutes of play, Hawks lost the plot in the second quarter which they lost 8-20 to go for the breather trailing by 10 (26-36), but they imposed their game in the third and Lozé gave them the lead at 40-39 with 5 minutes 27 seconds left on the clock.

With playmaker Karim César getting playing time after coming off the bench to impress coach Tony Juliette with a number of assists and hustle play, league champions Hawks were always in control in the second half, outscoring Baya 49-31.

Carried shoulder high by this teammates and supporters to receive his player of the year trophy from Mr Rose, Lozé has dedicated the title to his late mother Flora who always cheered him on at matches.

“She was my number one fan. She always wanted to see me succeed as a basketballer. I’ve let her down so many times, but I know she’s happy with me where she is now,” Lozé told Sports Nation.

The 29-year-old centre added that after a lacklustre first half, the coach did not have to tell them what to do.
“We the players knew that we defended poorly in the first half. So we changed our approach in the second and won the match.

It’s been a good 2009 season for us, but we have to recruit some players for next year as competition is getting stiffer,” he added.

Captain Bernard Bristol finished with 11 points including two consecutive treys for the Hawks.
Seychelles and Baya playmaker Giovanni Laval made a 24-point contribution in a losing cause and small forward Dave Roseline, chosen as runner-up to player of the year Lozé, added 14.

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

2009 Fiba-Africa Club Championships
Dates-December 13 - 22
Hosts-APR Indomitable lions
Venue-Amahoro Indoor Stadium (Kigali)

RWANDA’s basketball kings APR have reinforced their squad after bringing in Mathieu Miller on a short-term contract.

The experienced point guard, who has been playing professional basketball in Germany, flew in last Wednesday.
“The wait is over. He is here and has started training with the team,” APR’s coach Cliff Owuor said.

Technically, Miller, who was a big hit with the national basketball team during this year’s Fiba-Afrobasket Championships in Libya, is free to join the indomitable lions after choosing not to renew his contract with his Germany club.

“Right now, he is trying to get a clearance letter from his former club. That’s all he needs to play for us,” the Kenyan coach added.

APR, who start residential training this morning at Belvedere village (next to MTN center) are hosting the Fiba-Club Championships for the first time. The 24th edition slated to run from December 13 to 22 is expected to attract top sides from Africa’s top basketballing nations like Angola, Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia among others.

Owuor hopes his team, who are making a third appearance will ride on home advantage to better last year’s performance.

In their two appearances, the indomitable lions have made steady progress. After stunning everyone with a 9th spot finish on their debut in 2007 (Angola), the lions roared into 8th spot last year (Tunisia) and Owuor reckons that the team will not looking back this year.

Like last year, Owuor expects a very competitive event this time round but claims that his guns are up for the task.

As the race for who pick the two tickets in the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men Zone-III gets tougher, the two clubs representing Benin Republic, Ellan basketball club of Port Novo and ASPAC basketball club of Cotonou have continue to wax stronger winning their opening games.

Élan who have posted two wins so far over Model Basket of Togo (77-62) last Saturday and a 74-63 point's victory over Liberia NPA Pythons on Sunday to move to the top of the five-team elimination series.
ASPAC on the other hand picked its first victory against Model Basket of Togo on Sunday with a resounding 89-64 points win.
ASPAC will Monday (today) play the game of its live with a duel against Nigeria sole representative, Kano Pillars basketball club at the IRSP gymnase, Ouidah by 17.00Hour.

The game which is the second for the Coach Peter Ahmedu tutored ASPAC side and the first for the Nigerian champion, Pillars promises to be the real test for both sides going by the pedigree of the teams.

The elimination series ends on Friday where the two clubs that will represent the zone will emerge to vie for the silverware among the continent best at the final round of the 2009 edition of the FIBA Africa most prestigious club competition in Kigali , Rwanda from December 11 through 20.

Day-1 Results:
Ellan (BEN) 77-62 Model Basket (TOG)

Day-2 Results:
NPA Pythons (LIB) 63-74 Ellan (BEN)
Model Basket (TOG) 64-89 ASPAC (BEN)

Day-3 Game:
Kano Pillars (NGR) Vs ASPAC (BEN) - 17.00HR

FIBA Africa

Titans Basketball Club roster

Isak Nahum
Ruben Iyambo
Adeyemi Ajagbe (Nigeria)
Francis Tshibangu (RDCongo)
Corbin Prinzonsky
Paulus Hamulenga
Vivian Ramakhutla
Mervin Katjouanga
Gabriel Petrus
Frederik Strompen
Patrick !Gonteb
Ankama Hango
Ndeatapo Kaulinge

Results..!!!!!!
KBA CUP FINAL..!!
17-Oct-09 - Poly Dodgers 0 - 20 Unam Sparks
17-Oct-09 - Unam Rebels 78 - 85 Titans
SUPER CUP FINAL..!!!
18-Oct-09 - Tomahawks BC 50 - 32 Unam Sparks

2009 KBA CHAMPZ.!!
women
1. Tomahawks
2. Unam Sparks
3. Poly Dodgers
men
1. Titans
2. Tomahawks
3. Unam Rebels
4. Civics Suns
5. Plaza W
6. Poly Blues

KBA Cup Champz
women
1. Unam Spaks
2. Poly Dodgers
men
1. Titans
2. Unam Rebels

Super Cup Champs
women
1. Tomahawks BC
2. Unam Sparks

Following the successful hosting of the Basketball Indaba in October 2009, the Namibia Basketball Federation is continuing in its efforts to resuscitate basketball as a national sport.

Among the efforts required to clean up basketball, the Indaba resolved that new leadership structures be elected in all thirteen regions. This resolution was also in line with the mandate given by the Namibia Sports commission to the NBF’s interim committee, to elect a “new leadership in the entire 13 regions.”

The election of the new leadership structures was conducted in line with the draft constitution that was facilitated and concluded by the Interim Committee, under the leadership of its interim chairperson, Ndeulipula Hamutumwa.

This process saw a new committee being elected to run the Khomas Basketball Association (KBA) on 10 November 2009. The committee is made up of Isak Nahum as President, Hans Hamukoto as Deputy President, Nande Kayala as Secretary General, Ndapandula Haufiku as Treasurer, and Mao Mutombo as development officer.

On Saturday, November 21, the Interim Committee also facilitated the formation of the Oshana Basketball Association (OBA), where a new leadership committee was elected. The following are the new leadership of OBA: Hofni Kapolo as President, Beatha Nathanael as Deputy President, Irja Gibeon as Secretary General, Mario Serto as Treasurer and Pondo Nailenge as Development Officer.

Promising numbers of women have shown interest in the basketball administration in both regions, and the fact that they have scooped senior leadership positions is a starting point to breaking the long tradition of regional committees being largely dominated by males.

The first initiative of OBA is to hold a basketball summer youth camp with German basketball expert Frank Albin to gauge the interest and the standard of basketball in the Oshana region in December.

The next elections are scheduled for the Erongo, Oshikoto and Okavango Regions during the course of the next three weeks.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Friday results
Power 84-85 Warriors
A-1 64-69 Leopards
Today at YMCA
Warriors v Power 6pm
A-1 Challenge v KCC 4pm

Warriors and KCC Leopards have taken a 2-1 lead in the men and women’s MTN-Fuba League best-of- seven final play-off series respectively. Warriors edged champions Power 85-84 while KCC Leopards overcame A-1 Challenge 69-64 in Game Three of the series Friday night at YMCA, Wandegeya.

YMCA was buzzing in every sense of the word save for UCU Canons player Ken Rot, who took it upon himself to turn the arena into a boxing ring. Rot, who is likely to be heavily apprehended by the basketball governing body for interrupting the Warriors-Power game threw a bottle and released a barrage of punches at some colleagues but deservedly spent the rest of Friday night in the coolers at Wandegeya Police station. Rot’s act was a complete opposite of what the hundreds of spectators had been enjoying with Warriors and Power tearing each other apart for a good cause - a championship. Warriors had a commanding start, winning first quarter 26-15 but Power stormed back in the second 27-14.

The lead exchanged hands until late in the final seconds when the game became too hard to call for even the bravest of punters. For Isaac Afidra, sport can’t get any harsher. He was only five seconds away from grabbing another Man-of-the-Match award and handing DMark Power a priceless win but Warriors ‘spoilt’ the party.

A 28-point hero on the night, Afidra had helped Power keep pace with Warriors in the game but he sent his pass on the inbound to the vast crowd and Power’s hopes of overturning the 85-84 score ended in tears. “We made so many errors today but the race is still on,” Power’s Joseph Ikong consoled himself. “I believe we can win the next game on Sunday (today).” Ikong was limited to only five points but Norman Blick (21) and Ben Komakech (14).

Kasewu’s brilliance saw him garner a game high 30 points. Steven Okias, Abdullahi Ramathan and Martin Okwako were all in double figures. game, A-1 Challenge surrendered and 11-point lead heading into the final quarter in losing to KCC.

BY TIMOTHY MUVUNYI

SEVENTEEN local basketball coaches were yesterday awarded level-one coaching certificates at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

The week-long training, conducted by Fiba’s international instructor Claude Constantine was organised by the national basketball federation (Ferwaba) under the auspices of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Constantine also acts as the vice-president of Fiba’s coaches association.
“With the training and knowledge they have acquired, they can now train senior teams,” Ferwaba’s technical adviser Innocent Karuhije said.

Karuhije had earlier noted that there was a huge void in the coaching department.

‘It is a big step but there is still a lot of work to be done to take the sport to the next level.”

Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Results
Warriors 104-84 Power
Leopards 79-68 A-1

Today at YMCA (Game 3)
KCC v A-1 Challenge 6pm
Power v Warriors 8pm

DMark Power technical director Peter Mubanda had predicted a double-figure victory for his side going into Game Two of the MTN-Fuba League final play-off series on Wednesday night.

How interesting this series is shaping up? Power were instead on the receiving end, suffering only their second league defeat this season and arguably the worst in four years. “Things went wrong technically,” is all Mubanda could say after watching Warriors overrun the champions 104-84 at YMCA, Wandegeya.

The victory, Warriors’ first over Power in five games this season, levelled the best-of-seven series at 1-all, setting the stage for an intriguing Game Three tonight. “We are not getting excited,” Warriors coach Gad Eteu warned. “There is still a lot of work to do,” he added disregarding the ease with which his charges put Power to the sword in the second half despite a poor start.

Power skipper Norman Blick guided home a stunning slam-dunk from a very tight baseline angle as his side stormed to a 17-6 lead inside three minutes but that’s the last time the former MVP threatened to keep down the fired up Warriors.

By the end of first quarter, Warriors were trailing by only two points (22-24) and took charge of the game thereafter. Scarcely did the ball leave Power’s paint in the second quarter with Warriors raining in baskets and making steals in quick succession. Power looked completely lost in the session and Warriors made every move count with Brian Gumisiriza (16 points) sinking in double three-pointers and Steven Okias (24) adding a three-point play for the Kyambogo side to triumph 33-16.

Halftime score: 55-40 for Warriors but there was always hope for a Power recovery. But Carrol Bisereko (18) came off the bench to take the game out of Power’s reach with triple three-pointers for the Warriors to finish third quarter leading 74-58. “Our team rotation wasn’t the best today,” Power’s Isaac Afidra, who scored a team high 23 points said. Kenyan Martin Okwako produced one of his best performances this season, pulling down 19 points while Tanzanian Abudullahi Ramadhan added 11 for Warriors. Ben Komakech had 22 for the out-of-sorts Power.

KCC Leopards also overcame A-1 Challenge 79-68 to level the series at 1-all.
Reigning MVP Flavia Oketcho led the scoring for KCC with 20 points.

Secretary General of ASPAC basketball club of Cotonou, Jean Paul is confident that the club will make it to the final round of the 2009 FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men billed for Kigali, Rwanda between December 11 and 20.

Speaking with our correspondent in Cotonou recently, the light-skin ASPAC top officials says the management of the Cotonou-based side has fully backed the team campaign in the qualifiers which will draw clubs from the eight countries that make-up the zone where only two clubs are expected to make it to the final round in Rwanda.

JP, as he is fondly called also believe his club will be a credible host of the qualifiers as it co-host with the Benin Basketball Federation, FBBB as a last minute host as Kano Pillars basketball club of Nigeria pulled out of hosting the qualifiers at the last minute.

Also confident of ASPAC making it through the qualifiers is Nigeria-born head coach of the Cotonou side, Peter Ahmedu who share the same optimism with the club secretary.

Coach Ahmedu says the players are ready to take on any opposition during the qualifiers.

Speaking during one of the team training session at the IRSP gymnase in Ouidah, Benin Republic, the former Dodan Warriors basketball club of Nigeria assistant coach says no team scare him in the zone as the club have already set its eyes on the final round in Rwanda.

The FIBA Africa Zone-III qualifiers runs from November 27 through December 6 with eight teams from five countries in the zone gunning for the two tickets at stake.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

Kampala City Council (KCC) Lions have once again appealed to National Council of Sports (NCS) in a bid to stave off relegation from the MTN-Fuba League men’s topflight.

KCC earned the right to play in next season’s First Division after grossing four points by forfeiture over UCU Canons in a rescheduled second round fixture but a boardroom decision could see them relegated to the lower tier. UCU Canons reported late for that fixture on October 8 after receiving conflicting tip-off time from a member of the technical committee and managed to convince Fuba to organize a replay.

KCC, however, refused the idea of a replay and instead approached NCS to arbitrate in the matter. Following a meeting with KCC, Fuba and UCU officials early this month, NCS advised that both teams be retained in the topflight but the basketball federation thinks otherwise.

They have instead opted for a three-match play-off series to determine which of the teams goes to the lower division. This has prompted KCC to once again call for NCS’ intervention. “There is no such a thing like a play-off since everyone knows that we won the game,” KCC official Dennis Karugaba told Daily Monitor.

“We have written to NCS again expressing our displeasure with the way Fuba is handling the matter.” But Fuba are determined to penalize any team that fails to honour the play-offs.

PLS HAWKS are in Saturday’s final of the men’s division one Top-of-the-table tournament and they will know their opponents this afternoon when Baya take on Premium Cobras.

Coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks reached the century mark as they bulldozed Angels 109-53 in a semifinal encounter on Tuesday at the Palais des Sports.

League champions Hawks beat Premium Cobras 79-73 in their group A match to set up a semifinal showdown with Angels, who had lost 83-94 to Baya in group B.

Fifth finishers in the league championship, Anse Boileau-based Angels were called on by the Seychelles Basketball Federation at the last minute to replace MBU Rockers, who had settled for fourth place after 18 rounds of matches.
Sunday’s men’s division one final is at 4.30pm.

In the men’s division two final at 3.30pm, Razors and RA Herons will clash head-on in what promises to be an interesting encounter between two sides who will leave the bottom division to join the top flight next season.

The women’s final is at 2pm and will be between Mont Fleuri and Anse Etoile Stars.

G. G. in thenation.sc

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Today at YMCA
A-1 v KCC Leopards 6pm
Warriors v Power 8pm
(Power, A-1 lead series 1-0)

Going by recent results, it is tempting to predict that DMark Power are retaining the MTN-Fuba League men’s title. The champions have beaten Warriors four times this year and go into today’s game two of the final play-off series as favourites. “In game one, we didn’t play well but still managed to win,” Power technical director Peter Mubanda noted.

“That shows you that at our best Warriors can’t defeat us.” Warriors were evidently the better side in the best-of-seven series opening game last Friday but left YMCA cursing after being condemned to a 75-71 overtime defeat. That loss, before a mammoth crowd, left a bitter taste in Warriors coach Gad Eteu’s mouth although he remains confident of pushing Power to the wall in the series. “The games we have lost to them don’t matter.

That’s just history,” Eteu said, “We just want to level the series tomorrow (today).” Warriors’ dependable player Ronnie Kasewu dislocated his shoulder in the semifinals against Falcons and looked uncomfortable last Friday but is in shape for tonight’s clash. “Ronnie and Martin (Okwako) have been playing under pain but they are now okay,” Eteu explained.

Power have recalled the swift Allan Tawoda from his working commitments in Kabale and the guard should boost their defence which looked sluggish in the opener. “We actually have a chance to wrap up the series this week,” sticking to his prediction of a 4-0 clean sweep, Mubanda stated.
Beaten 68-65 by former women champions A-1 Challenge in the opener, KCC Leopards find themselves under immense pressure to level the series today.

Leopards, champions in 2007, are still without former MVP Becky Akullo. “She (Akullo) has an ankle injury and still feels lots of pain,” KCC Leopards coach Timothy Odeke revealed. “But I am sure the rest of the players will step up and we level the series.” A-1 Challenge, are too in a buoyant mood. “We enjoy playing with each other. And if you enjoy what you do, there is no doubt about winning,” A-1 Challenge senior player Maggie Nalubega said. Game three of the series is on Friday.

Kenya Ports Authority women basketball team needs a total overhaul or should be disbanded altogether .



This is the message awaiting the dockers when they return home today after a poor performance at the 15th edition of Fiba Africa club championships for women in Benin.
Former Kenya Basketball Federation chairman Agina Wasonga, KCB team manager George Omondi Nyundo, national women coach Smarts Olumbo and international referee Juma Kent are among the Kenyans who want KPA to send all the current players into retirement to pave way for young players to take the team to greater heights.

KPA lost all but one match to finish a poor eighth at this championships which attracted 10 teams, a position they held last year and for the over ten years they have been participating at this games.

The poor performance by KPA who won only one match against newcomers Energie of Benin has left many pondering at the future of women basketball in Kenya.

Five titles in a row

Surprisingly, KPA have won five national league titles in row and are currently in the playoffs enroute to the sixth title which brings into question the standards of the national competition.
“KPA’s poor showing has nothing to do with Kenya basketball standards because if teams like Eagle Wings and Eastern Queens were given the same financial support KPA women is getting, they could easily conquer Africa”, Wasonga who has travelled with KPA for several international events, said.

Agina is wondering why KPA have maintained the same old players for the past decade they have been to the Africa championships while their opponents keep recruiting young and energetic players.

According to the statistics released by Fiba Africa, KPA had the oldest players at the championships with an average age of 30.4, a position they have held for the past four years.

“Apart from youthful Helen Oketch, the rest of the KPAplayers have no business playing competitive basketball at the moment and should pave way for young blood”, was Wasonga blunt conclusion.

George Omondi Nyundo, one of the most experienced Kenya basketball administrators, agreed that there is need for a fresh start for the KPA side which he says has been a disgrace at international level.

“The problem is not Kenya basketball as such but KPA as a team because they have continued to rely on the same old players for years”, Nyundo said.

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Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) team traveled to Cotonou, Benin for the 15th FIBA Africa club championships for women as heroines of the Zone Five, they returned home with their heads sagging on to their chests.

Why does this club that has ruled the Kenyan and regional basketball scene once again become such a cropper at the continental podium ? Is it the old players ? Is there need to inject young blood in the mix as many think ?

A day before the team departed for the West Africa nation, coach Anthony Ojukwu was quoted in two local dailies praising his girls impressive performance against Strathmore University in their two play off quarter final matches.

He said this was an indication of what to expect in Benin. From that result, it indeed should have been the students coach Sylvia Kamau punching the air in gesticulation because they are the ones who showed remarkable improvement in the two meets.Remember, "Swords" only made it to the play offs as the last team !

Pundits did not understamd what Ojukuw was talking about. He went on, "I Know it will not be easy because the other teams have also prepared for the championships but the experience we have at this level should be able to count this time round." he noted.

How dead wrong was he. Ojukwu has been to more than four championships with the same team, he has seen and met the continents top clubs in this same competition but he talks like a rookie coach who does not know what to expect vis a vis his personel.

As far as I am concerned, the problem with KPA is not the old players. At this level of competition, the younger players will perform even worse. The real problem is the tactical bench. This is the stark reality and what must be address. The rest is a side show.

Why should one continue talking of injection of younger players in this team as the only means of progress ? There are young players as well as old players and in fact it was the same old names, Joyce Makungu and Agnes Anyango who were scoring for the side yet there are some younger blood ?

If you look at the top teams in Africa it is the experienced players who carry their teams. Young players get minimal minutes. During the 2008 tournament in Nairobi, we had a chance to watch these teams and get my word, what I saw were very experienced players doing the job.

KPA were eighth last year and the much talked about Eagle Wings were tenth. Take Wings and add Eastern Queens players to the mix and send them to the next edition of the same event and see if they will be anywhere in the medal brackets !

What position did two time national champions KCB Lions occupy in their tour of Nigeria ? They were dead last. And what did they say upon return- that the players need to go to the gym and bulk up. Do you think Co-operative Bank of Kenya will fair better in Kigali, next month ?

Let Kenyan coaches wake up and play their roles. Let them attend as many clinics as there are and let them share notes and be willing to learn then only shall they help to lift the standard of the game in the country.

For coach Ojukwu, you can not face matches in the Africa championships the same
way you approach a national premier league game ! There is a huge difference between the two. Two months ago, I challenged the team and for those who read that article, you saw for yourself.

First Bank, the Nigerian girls that won the crown were not even supposed to be there had it not been for a wild card given to them by FIBA Secretary general Alphonse Bile. The same team won the title in 2003 in Mozambique. Unlike KPA, they did their home work well.

In Nairobi, they were third beating the same ABC of Ivory Coast 76-62 to bag the bronze. They met KPA and beat them 51-44 in the quarter finals and still they were not happy with their showing. It is no wonder they won all their seven games and are proud African champions again.

KPA got off their campaign to a fine start whipping home girls Energie 72-32 in their opener. They then fell like nine pins in their subsequent six. 51-66 to Desportivo, 84-29 to eventual winners First Bank, 40-63 to ABC, 47-54 to Apolitecnica, 43-48 top CSA and 50-65 to Deepwater.

Nothing to be proud of here especially from a team that was not playing in their first
continental show. Talk of using younger players is immaterial because they get beat time and time again by players who are older than they are !

KPA will perhaps win another ticket to the Africa championships. If they do not perhaps Wings would. But did they not beat Wings in Kampala in August during the qualifiers ? Whether Wings or Queens can do better in this tournament I do not know.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Newly crowned African female clubs champions First Bank of Nigeria returned to Lagos by midday on Monday after their Sunday defeat of ABC of Cote d’Ivoire to emerge the 2009 continental champions. The Nigerian league champions defeated the Ivorian ladies 64-55 in the final match played in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on Sunday.

First Bank coach Aderemi Adewunmi to FIBA.COM they were happy that they did not let down those who believed in them.

“We are just arriving back in Lagos; we thank God for everything. The hard work paid off and we are so happy we didn’t disappoint those believed in us and supported us all through,” Adewunmi said as the team bus drove into the country from the border with Benin.

The triumph means the Elephant Girls, as they are nicknamed, have won the African clubs trophy for the second time. They first won the cup in 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique – the same year the Nigerian national female team won the African Nations Cup for the first time as well. The victory of the Elephant Girls becomes even more striking given the fact that they arrived in Cotonou on wild card entry. They could not qualify from the FIBA Africa Zone 3 play off held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire one week before the African event began in Cotonou. The victory also marks quite a lot of difference from the male and female national teams that failed to go beyond the quarter finals of the 2009 African cups.

First Bank did not drop a game all through the competition in Benin. In the final game, they won the three first three quarters by 15-13, 15-9 and 19-17 while ABC took the last by 16-15. Brisa Silva of First Bank hit 17 points; Funmilayo Ojelabi 13 and Mfon Udoka 11 while Adeola Olanrewaju grabbed 13 rebounds.

Defending champions of the African club championship Desportivo of Mozambique defeated Interclube of Angola 57-50 for the bronze medal. Desportivo won the cup back-to-back in 2007 and 2008. The fair-play trophy went to Energie Basketball Club of Benin Republic. First Bank guard, Danielle Green left Benin as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the15th Africa Champions Club for Women. Green and Rahidat Sadiq were named in the competition Top-5 players list. First Bank will represent Africa at the FIBA World Club Championship next year.

By Pius Ayinor
FIBA Africa

National champions KCB Lions and bitter rivals Co-operative Bank of Kenya posted unexpectedly easy wins as the play off semi final matches got off at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium over the weekend.

Lions thrashed International Christian Center (ICC) 83-53 while Co-op Bank were too much for Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) pounding them 78-55 in another semi final Game One tie that failed to live upto expectations to the dissapointment of the fair crowd.

KCB roared off to a 16-12 first quarter lead after a Paul "Dudu" Onyango opener. In the second quarter ICC had took a brief 21-20 lead on a Phil Dinga basket but once Victor Odendo nailed a three pointer that sparked a 15-0 Lions run, it was clear who was in charge.

Lions led 38-23 at the break and soon after resumption Tobias Onyango made it a 20 point play with a basket at 47-27. In the last quarter, KCB had build a huge 62-36 cushion without even breaking any sweat. Onyango nailed 26 points and Odendo had 15. ICC had Griffin Ligare with 14 and Phil Dinga with 10.

Vincent Ambani put Co-op Bank ahead with a roaring slam after four missed chances. KPA locked the duel thrice before going ahead on a Dan Okwiri free shot for a 11-10 advantage. Allan Ouma came off the bench and his bankers helped a 16-13 first quarter lead.

In the second quarter, Ouma hit three baskets in a row and a Richard Osano running dunk made it 36-22 and Co-op were up and away to a 36-24 half time cushion. The fourth Co-op saw enjoy a 58-39 edge and enough confidence to take to Mombasa for Game two.

Osano led with 17 points that included four rim roasting slams and Ouma twisted and turned aof another 14. KPA had nbo floor leader and no wonder no one scored in double figures. Okwiri and Javan Odhiambo had nine and Sam Ocholla made eight in few minutes.

Posta had it all too easy whipping Lomboritz 75-45 in a one sided show. The mailmen, up 35-25 at half time had 17 points from William Otieno. United States International University (USIU) beat Strathmore University 69-55. Evans Leting made 15 points for Tigers and James Rugut pepped Blades with 22.

In the ladies semi finals, Eagle Wings got the better of rivals Eastern Queens with a 63-50 win in Game One. After a close first quarter lead, the victors blasted off to a 23-5 edge in the second. Evaline Kedogo then nailed two three pointers in the third, the last one propelling the lead to 55-30.

But in the last quarter, Queens punished Wings many turn overs scoring to reduce the margin to a respectable contest. Kedogo scored 12 as did Bridgit Nanzala for Wings while Irene Makori and Hilda Indasi each contributed 13 for the losers. The matches are played in the best of three series.

In the classification matches, Sylvia Omollo recorded 18 points and Joyce Alivida hit 15 as they guided prite Storms to a 52-37 thrashing of Yana in a classification. Storms, down 21-27 displayed their best game in months to deservedly win this encounter.

Grace Wanjiru nailed 12 points as Strathmore University ladies beat Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 34-22 in a game coach Sylvia Kamau says was a must win. "There was no way we were going to end up in eighth place again." she noted.

In the lower division, top seed rampant Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology (MMUST) beat Parklands Baptist 95-78 behind 29 points from Martin Gitonga and 28 from Bryan Rugew. A win in Kakamega will propel them to premier.

Kenya college of Accountancy (KCA) University took a 37-26 first half lead but had to struggle before nipping Blazers 63-60. Victor Okello made 16 points and Titus Musembi added 11 for KCA. Blazers Joseph Kosgey hit 19 and Ken Keya bagged 15.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA AFrica

(by Sherif Soliman)
Round 10: Ahly bensh players punishes Gezira 82-63 , Ahly played without Tarek Gannam, Kerdany, Haytham saied, Sakr .but the young players of Ahly showed great performance scoring from every spot , Islam Aly was on fire hitting three points shots on target. On the other hand: Zamalek made a hard win over Itthad to get close to chase the top teams with only one defeat behined Gezira,Itthad. However,Zamalek new roster with their new coach mr.Percih proving every game that they will fight for the chapionship not just for being in the top six.

from africabasket.com

Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Third place
Div 1: Falcons 74-83 KIU
Wom: Canons 61-50 Rangers
Div 2: Rhino 104 -82 Heaters
Div 3: Kings 89-47 TLC

The drama involving Kampala City Council (KCC) Lions and Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono Canons is not about to end. Local basketball governing body, Fuba, is now arranging a best-of- three play-off series to decide which of the two teams is relegated to Second Division. The second round rescheduled fixture for both teams couldn’t be played after Canons, misinformed by a Fuba technical committee member, reported late to the venue and KCC earned points by forfeiture.

The points would have secured KCC a topflight slot next season and condemned UCU to the lower tier but the latter appealed and Fuba consented to a replay.

KCC Lions, however, rejected the replay arguing that they had earned the points in accordance to Fuba rules. Whereas National Council of Sports (NCS) intervened in the matter as an arbitrator and advised that both teams be kept in the topflight, Fuba is keen to drop one of them. “We are soon fixing the dates for the series,” Fuba assistant general secretary Joseph Manano explained at the weekend. “If one of the teams doesn’t show up, that will be their mistake,” he added. The final play-off series are ongoing and it remains to be seen how Fuba adjusts the fixtures to accommodated KCC-UCU.

Unwilling
However, KCC Lions are not willing to take part in any rematch. “We won our game and the score sheet is in the file,” KCC official Dennis Karugaba revealed. “If they insist on a replay, we are reporting them to Fiba (world governing body) or take the matter to court.” Elsewhere, men’s record champions Falcons failed in their quest to finish the season with some silverware as they slumped to a 74-83 defeat at the hands of KIU in the third-place play-off at YMCA on Saturday.

Debutant, First Deepwater basketball club of Nigeria Sunday defeated Kenya Ports Authority KPA by 65-50 points to finish as the seventh best women club-side in Africa.

The classification game which took place at the IRSP gymnase, Ouidah, Benin Republic saw the Kenyan picking the first two quarters by 19-11 and 12-10 points thus having a 10 points advantage of 31-21 at the break.

These seeming set-back propelled the First Deepwater players at the resumption of play in the third quarter to go all out against the KPA side contesting every ball and mounting an unending pressure on their more bigger and experience opponent which paid off as they won the quarter by 22-10 points to take a 43-41 points lead going into the last quarter which they also won by 22-09 points to finish the game at 65-50 points.

The First Deepwater basketball club charge for a seventh place in the 2009 edition of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women was led by Nkechi Akashili with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists and Rebecca Iritei who recorded 13 points and 2 assists.

Team head coach, Lateef Erinfolami says he is satisfied with his players' performance in the continent biggest women club competition against the background that most of them are new to the competition.

The coach however, promised a better outing in subsequent competitions.

By PHILIP ONYANGO


Kenya Ports Authority women’s basketball team failed to impress at the Africa club championships when they were defeated 68-54 by Desportivo from Mozambique in the quarter-final of the 15th edition of the Fiba tournament in Benin.

This is the sixth year in a row that KPA has been made to fight for position seven and eighth at this prestigeous event.

The dockers, who were the most experienced team at the tournament having been part of every club championship for the past seven years, only won one match against the newcomers Energie from Benin in the opening tie.

They were due to play Sporting Club from Alexandria in the fight for position seven and eight yesterday, while the championships finals will be held today. In their final preliminary match, Nigeria’s First Bank humiliated them 84-29.

With all the players in the current KPA line-up having played in at least four of the previous championships, many expected that the dockers would use their experience to outwit the newcomers at the championships, which brings together zonal champions from all over Africa.

First Bank, who finished third at last year’s championships in Nairobi, were all over the clueless KPA and comfortably led 22-6 in the first quarter and 38-22 at the break.

Double digit figures

The Nigerians came to the second half a stronger side, outscoring KPA 26-01 to take a big 64-23 lead at the end of the third quarter before completing the rout with a 20-08 win in the fourth quarter for the 84-29. Greens Danielle was First Bank’s star player with 17 points to her credit, while Sadik Rashidale and Odiala Chaima scored 10 points each.

None of the KPA players managed a double digit figure in this encounter with Agnes Anyango and Irene Murambi managing to score seven and five points respectively.

Despite the heavy losses in their group, KPA still managed to sneak into the quarter-finals, thanks to the last minute withdrawal of Radi from Democratic Republic of Congo, who failed to show up.

In Group B, defending champions Desportivo of Mozambuique were made to sweat before beating Inter-club from Congo 62-57 to qualify for the quarters.

Other teams that have qualified for the quarters from Group A are ABC from Cote d’Ivoire, A’politecnico from Mozambique and First Bank from Nigeria. In Group B Desportivo from Mozambique have qualified for quarters.

Abidjan Basket Club, ABC Saturday rose to the challenges posed by defending former champion of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women, Desportivo basketball club of Mozambique .

ABC took the first quarter by 17-16 points which seems to awake the fighting spirit of the two-time Africa champion who rallied back in the second quarter winning with a 16-09 points to take a 32-26 points lead going into the break.

The Mozambican continue the good run it started in the second quarter by winning again in the third quarter by 15-14 points entering the fourth quarter by 47-40 points but the Ivories put their feet down strongly beating the Mozambican to their own game thus winning the quarter by a huge 20-02 points to land a grand finale battle against fellow FIBA Africa Zone-III foe, First Bank basketball club of Nigeria who earlier in the day defeated Interclube basketball club of Angola by 69-65 points in an over-time.

ABC reliable centre, Fatoumata Camara led her team challenge with 15 points and 6 rebounds while Nuadi N’Goy added 14 points for their side victory.

The First Deepwater basketball club of Nigeria versus Kenya Ports Authority and A’Politecnica basketball club of Mozambique versus Club Sportif d’Abidjan classifications games hold at the IRSP gymnase, Ouidah at 10.00 and 12.00 hours while the third place game between Interclube of Angola and the grand finale between First Bank of Nigeria and ABC of Cote d’Ivoire comes up at 17.00 and 19.00 hours respectively at the Palais des Sports, Cotonou.

First Bank basketball club of Nigeria Saturday fought a hard battle to see off Interclube basketball club of Angola by 69-65 points after Over-time at the IRSP gymnase, Ouidah, Benin Republic.

The Nigerian side champion in 2003 entered the game as favourite due to her pedigree in the preliminary through the quarter-final stage winning the first quarter by 21-15 points, while the Angolan side came back strongly in the second quarter with a 20-17 points with half-time scores standing at 38-35 points in favour of First Bank.

Interclube continue her charged on the First Bank side at the resumption of play in third quarter winning the quarter by 1°-08 points cut down their deficit to just one points of 46-45 points going into the last quarter which they also won 15-14 points to even scores at 60-60 points to set-up a five-minute over-time.

First Bank falls back to three points play in the over-time which paid off as Rashidat Sadiq and Danielle Green took time to pound Interclube with repeated three points shot to win at 69-65 points.

First Bank Danielle Green led the floor with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists while Adeola Olanrewaju recorded 11 points and 5 rebounds to help their side book a grand finale ticket.

First Bank will now take on the winner of the second semi-final between defending champions, Desportivo basketball club of Mozambique and Abidjan Basket Club of Cote d'Ivoire on Sunday at the Palais des Sports in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

Friday results
Dmark Power 75-71 Warriors
A-1 Challenge 68-65 KCC
Wednesday (Game 2)
A-1 Challenge v KCC 6pm
Warriors v Dmark Power 8pm

For four times this season, Warriors have failed to beat MTN Fuba League champions DMark Power. Twice in the regular season, once in the Zone 5 and now Friday during game one of the best-of-seven final play-off series at YMCA Wandegeya.

On all occasions, Warriors have fought gallantly but failed to inflict a killer punch even on a night like Friday when Power’s defence looked so vulnerable. That’s rather discouraging for any Warriors’ sympathizer seeing that there are only six games left to salvage their season after Power’s 75-71 overtime hard-fought victory.

Maybe Warriors will need to get some tips from former women champions A-1 Challenge, who came into the series as underdogs but managed to stifle KCC Leopards 68-65 in the night’s opening game.

KCC Leopards welcomed back reigning MVP Flavia Oketcho but her presence and 13 points did little to dent the composed A-1 Challenge from taking the much-needed series’ lead.
Composure is exactly what Warriors lacked at crucial moments especially Ronnie Kasewu, who should have won the game for Warriors in the dying moments of regulation time but missed one of his two free throws.

Kasewu, though, managed to level the scores at 66-all, ensuring an extra period of five minutes. The regular four quarters had been so breathtaking and too close to call with the overwhelming crowd literally sharing part of the playing surface with the players. Already with 17 points under his belt, Isaac Afidra seized control of the extra period, scoring four more to help Power emerge victorious 9-6.

Martin Okwako (21 points) and Abduallahi Ramadhan (14) were by far Warriors’ best players of the night but the former squandered a precious opportunity in the final seconds by needlessly attempting a three-pointer instead of going for an easy lay-up that would have probably turned the game on its head.

Norman Blick (14), Joseph Ikong (12) and Michael Kojo (10) were all in double figures for Power. A-1 Challenge had Maggie Nalubega (14), Kassim Hatima (12) and Barbara Okot (11) to thank for their priceless victory over KCC Leopards who missed the services of former MVP Becky Akullo. Leopards’ Miriam Hamala and Annet Nakiwu combined for 35 points.

First Bank basketball club of Nigeria Friday defeated her Nigeria rival, First Deepwater basketball by 88-48 points in the first quarter-finals of the 15th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women at the ISPR gymnase, Ouidah, Benin Republic.

The Elephant Girls who paraded eight Nigeria senior women national team players overwhelmed the First Deepwater players from the blast of the referee whistle to the end of the game winning in all four quarters.

With the win, First Bank now became the first team to book a place in the semi-finals where they will slug it out against the winner of the quarter-final duel between A’Politecnica basketball club of Mozambique and Interclube basketball club of Angola on Saturday.

First Bank won in all four quarters 26-12, 14-11, 26-07 and 22-18 for a final score-line of 88-48.

But First Deepwater youthful forward, Ijeoma Uchendu gave a good account of herself with good post moves amid experience forward lined-up by First Bank in the game which turned one-sided as she scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

First Bank America import, Danielle Green, led the floor with a double double effort of 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists; Mexican-born guard Brisa Silva added 18 points, Chioma Udeaja contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds just as the duo of Funmilayo Ojelabi and US-base Rashidat Sadiq contributed 13 and 10 points respectively.

First Bank basketball club head coach, Adewumi Aderemi praised the gallant First Deepwater basketball players but thumb-up his ward for being so fantastic.

Coach Aderemi declared emphatically that nothing will stop his team from clinching the diadem they last won in 2003.

‘We are set for all oppositions in this competition and I want to say with due respect to other teams that nothing will stop us from being crowned champion this time after almost seven years since we last won it in 2003 as we are tired of placing third every time.

‘Though we won our quarter-final game against our Nigeria opponent, First Deepwater by a wide margin that does not take away the fact that they are a good side remember they came top at the zone-III qualifiers in Abidjan, the coach concluded.

Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA AFrica

Interclube basketball club of Angola Friday played the game of their lives to go past A’Politecnica basketball club of Mozambique by 62-58 points in the second quarter-final game decided at the IRSP gymnase, Benin Republic.

Both sides had started the high tempo game on a cautious note with the first quarter ending at 14 points apiece before the Mozambican side took charge of proceeding in the second quarter winning by 21-12 points to open up a nine point’s margin of 35-26 points.

But 39-year-old Interclube inspirational player, Irene Guerreiro inspired her team-mates to fight back at the resumption of play in the third quarter through the remaining part of the game winning the last two quarters by 17-10 and 19-13.

Iida Diakanomua led the Angolan club with 16 points, Guerreiro poured in 11 points while Ngiendula Filipe added 10 points and 5 rebounds to help them their team sail through to the semi-final where they will square-up against First Bank basketball club of Nigeria in the first semi-final at IRSP gymnase in Ouidah, Benin Republic.

A’Politecnica of Mozambique will take on Nigeria First Deepwater basketball club in the race a place in the 5th to 8th position at 12.00Hour.

Ikuesan Olusegun
FIBA Africa

Hope of Kenya Ports Authority, KPA of making their first semi-final cut of the FIBA Africa Champions was dashed Friday by defending champion, Desportivo basketball club of Mozambique.

The KPA ladies who played one of their best game in the competition led the defending champion through the beginning of the last quarter by 41-37 points but lack of zeal and taste of success rob them off a semi-final placement when they surrender their leadership to the Despoirtivo side who is gunning for a record third straight title.

KPA lost the first quarter narrowly by 13-12 points but came back forcefully in the second and third quarters winning at 17-15 and 12-09 points respectively.

Their effort was however, reduced to nothing by the Valerdina Manhonga led Desportivo side in the last quarter as the Mozambican mounted continuous pressure on the Kenyans which paid off with a massive 29-10 points win for them for a final score-line of 66-51 points.

Joining Manhonga on the scorer sheet for the defending champion are Leia Dongue with 14 points, 6 rebounbds and Anabela Cossa with 11 points.

Desportivo will now await the winner between Club Sportif de Abidjan, CSA and Abidjan Basket Club, ABC.

Interclube basketball club of Angola Friday played the game of their lives to go past A’Politecnica basketball club of Mozambique by 62-58 points in the second quarter-final game decided at the IRSP gymnase, Benin Republic .

Both sides had started the high tempo game on a cautious note with the first quarter ending at 14 points apiece before the Mozambican side took charge of proceeding in the second quarter winning by 21-12 points to open up a nine point’s margin of 35-26 points.

But 39-year-old Interclube inspirational player, Irene Guerreiro inspired her team-mates to fight back at the resumption of play in the third quarter through the remaining part of the game winning the last two quarters by 17-10 and 19-13.

Iida Diakanomua led the Angolan club with 16 points, Guerreiro poured in 11 points while Ngiendula Filipe added 10 points and 5 rebounds to help them their team sail through to the semi-final where they will square-up against First Bank basketball club of Nigeria in the first semi-final at IRSP gymnase in Ouidah , Benin Republic.

A’Politecnica of Mozambique will take on Nigeria First Deepwater basketball club in the race a place in the 5th to 8th position at 12.00Hour.

First Bank basketball club of Nigeria Friday defeated her Nigeria rival, First Deepwater basketball by 88-48 points in the first quarter-finals of the 15th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women at the ISPR gymnase, Ouidah , Benin Republic.

The Elephant Girls who paraded eight Nigeria senior women national team players overwhelmed the First Deepwater players from the blast of the referee whistle to the end of the game winning in all four quarters.

With the win, First Bank now became the first team to book a place in the semi-finals where they will slug it out against the winner of the quarter-final duel between A'Politecnica basketball club of Mozambique and Interclube basketball club of Angola on Saturday. First Bank won in all four quarters 26-12, 14-11, 26-07 and 22-18 for a final score-line of 88-48.

But First Deepwater youthful forward, Ijeoma Uchendu gave a good account of herself with good post moves amid experience forward lined-up by First Bank in the game which turned one-sided as she scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

First Bank America import, Danielle Green, led the floor with a double double effort of 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists; Mexican-born guard Brisa Silva added 18 points, Chioma Udeaja contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds just as the duo of Funmilayo Ojelabi and US-base Rashidat Sadiq contributed 13 and 10 points respectively.

First Bank basketball club head coach, Adewumi Aderemi praised the gallant First Deepwater basketball players but thumb-up his ward for being so fantastic.

Coach Aderemi declared emphatically that nothing will stop his team from clinching the diadem they last won in 2003.

'We are set for all oppositions in this competition and I want to say with due respect to other teams that nothing will stop us from being crowned champion this time after almost seven years since we last won it in 2003 as we are tired of placing third every time.

‘Though we won our quarter-final game against our Nigeria opponent, First Deepwater by a wide margin that does not take away the fact that they are a good side remember they came top at the zone-III qualifiers in Abidjan , the coach concluded.

Trailblazers and Predators won the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) men and women crowns as the 2009 provincial league comes to an end at Railways Club.

In one of the most one sided play off finals ever, Trailblazers blanked Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) 3-1 while Predators were too strong for top seed Safe Spaces dismissing them with a 3-0 sweep. Trailblazers also won the last title while Predators did it three years ago. Both teams are self sponsored.

Trailblazers....78 NAC.....52

Joshua Vuva scored 22 points, Dennis Oyaro hit 17 while Geoffrey Abuya nailed 14 to guide Trailblazers to their first back to back title. After slipping in Game One, the winners won all the ir last three consecutive matches. Mike Makiada recorded the losers 16.

Predators....61 Safe Spaces......34

In the last game of the series, Wilkister Oduor nailed 15 points and Pamella Ikonga added 10 for Predators who were ahead 31-10 at half time. Penina Nthenya managed to scored the losers 10 points. But the two sides declined a move to the top. The matches were played in the best of five szeries.

NBA chairman Ronnie owino said that this year's league which had a record 21 teams (14 men and 7 women's teams ) was very competitive. He congratulated the teams and wished those who were promoted to the KBF division One well next year.
"There is no doubt about it, NBA league has come of age and is highly competitive. The fact that we send five teams to the provincial play offs in Nakuru and all of them got promoted is a manifestation that we are doing well." he noted.

He was optimistic that some teams will join the show next year to fill in the void left by the five namely- Trailblazers, Nairobi Aviation College, Kenya Polytechic University, Emyba and Friends of Basketball (FOB).

At the same he announcved that because Predators and Spaces will not move up, Kenya Polytechnic who beat World Hope 52-37 behind 11 points from Dolly Karaba and 10 from Eupracia Kageha will be promoted. The losers had game high 14 from Purity Shelly.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA AFrica

BY Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo
Kampala

Tomorrow at YMCA
Women: Leopards v A-1 (6pm)
Men: Power v Warriors (8pm)

Opportunities of winning a second MTN-Fuba Basketball League title have never stopped coming A-1 Challenge’s way.

However, the 2005 women champions have failed to take their chances – finishing runners-up in each of the last two seasons.

But chances won’t stop coming as A-1 Challenge will get another shot at the title when they clash with KCC Leopards tomorrow at the YMCA courts, Wandegeya in game one of the best-of-seven final series.

“Our team has stayed together longer than all the other teams in the league. Losing has made us better players and we have done our homework this time round,” A-1’s Mavita Ali told Daily Monitor.
A-1 overcame last year’s champions UCU Lady Canons 3-0 in the best-of-five semifinals, a feat that KCC also managed against KIU Rangers.

“I think we came through a tougher series than they (KCC) did which might just give us the edge mentally,” Mavita said.
However, coach Hamza Nyambongo A-1 will be wary of a KCC side, champions in 2007, that are boosted by the return of reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Flavia Oketcho. Oketcho arrived in the country last night from the UK.
“Oketcho brings a lot to the table in terms experience, leadership, work ethic and influence on the entire team,” Timothy Odeke, the KCC coach, said in eulogising the former Lady Bucks and UCU guard.

“We have all the depth, talent and experience we might need. The only edge they (A-1) have over us is youthfulness and energy but we will prevail from a series that will surely be interesting,” Odeke added.

MONT FLEURI and Anse Boileau are the girls’ and boys’ winners of the Robert Smith memorial school cup after triumphing in Saturday’s finals played at Victoria Gymnasium.

The competition was organised by the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) and was played on a league basis before the finalists were known.

National Sports Council (NSC) chief executive Alain Volcère and Robert Auguste, director of the Federations Management and Development Division within the NSC, were among the crowd to watch the young players in action.

Captained by 17-year-old Jessica Fanchette, who got nine of her game-leading 11 points in the second half when she scored in the paint, Mont Fleuri beat Praslin 23-14.

The Mont Fleuri team

Helped by teammates Jana Malbrook and Doris Oreddy who, like her, play for the country’s Cadettes team, Fanchette and Mont Fleuri won the first half 10-2 but had to work hard in the second period to edge Praslin 13-12.

A week after guiding Praslin to winning the volleyball school league title with a 2-0 triumph over Anse Royale, Flora Lesperance – who also played on the country’s Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) volleyball gold medal-winning team last year – came off the bench in the second period to score 10 points for her school’s team.
“It wasn’t an easy match at all although the winning margin might be big. We had to work hard for the victory,” said Fanchette.
In the boys’ final, La Digue kept it close against Anse Boileau, whose players play for the Drifters team in the men’s second division.

Samuel Cécile banked a 3-pointer to tie the score at 9-9 but Anse Boileau went for the breather with a four-point advantage – 13-19.

With skilful playmaker Arnaud Arissol distributing the ball well despite misfiring from all over the court, Anse Boileau went on an early second-half 11-0 run to bring the score to 24-9, but La Digue gradually came back to outscore their opponents 8-4 late in the match. It was too little too late as they lost the match 17-28.

The Anse Boileau team

Anse Boileau’s Henry Monthy and Ervin Agathine scored in double figures with 12 and 11 points apiece, while Cécile finished as La Digue’s top scorer with seven, although he picked up four fouls and had to take a seat on the bench late in the game.
“It was an interesting match and I hope to be around to defend the title next year, said 16-year-old Monthy.
Mr Auguste and SBF chairman Roy Collie presented the cups to the teams.

G. G.

By PHILIP ONYANGO

Kenya Ports Authority women’s basketball team continued their dismal performance at the 15th Africa Women Club Championships when they were hammered 74-32 by Abidjan Basketball Club (ABC) from Cote d’Ivoire in their third group A match at the Palais des Sports in Benin on Tuesday.

The dockers, who lost 47-54 to Mozambique’s A’Politecnica (not Abidjan club as reported on Wednesday) on Sunday at the same venue, had no answer for the speed and agility of Fatoumata Camara, Dianne Abbady and Salimata Berte who scored at will.

Double figures

Joyce Makhungu, who has been KPA’s mainstay at the championships, struggled to get to double figures.

Earlier against A’Politecnica in a match the Kenyans could have won, the Mozambicans, who were bruised by a huge loss to Nigeria’s First Bank Basketball Club on Saturday, picked the first three quarters by 17-14, 11-09 and 16-10 before the Kenyans tried a late rally in the fourth quarter.

Joyce Makhungu scored 16 points but that could not save her side from going down to a determined Mozambique.

The A’Politecnica trio of Ana Azinheira, Marta Ganje and Iida Chambe recorded 12, 11 points and 12 rebounds to help their side record the valuable win of the night.

Setback

In other matches, defending champion Desportivo of Mozambique rose from an initial setback to post a comfortable win over new-comers First Deepwater Club of Nigeria .
The champions, who went down 72-71 to another new-comer, Alexandria Sporting Club of Egypt, on the opening day of the competition, took the first three quarters 20-08, 15-12 and 20-12 to enter the last quarter with a 23 points lead of 55-32 points.
First Deepwater could only manage a slim 20-17 points win in the final quarter but the damage had already been done as they lost a second straight game.

It is mixed fortunes for First Bank and First Deepwater basketball clubs at the 15th edition of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women championships, which started on November 13 at the Palais des Sports in Cotonou, Benin.

As the participating countries take a break from action today, we look at the mixed fortunes of the Nigerian clubs.

First Bank flies into quarterfinal

First Bank has performed excellently by picking the quarterfinal ticket after three straight victories with a game in hand.

Lumped in Group A with Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) of Cote d' Ivoire, Apolitechnica of Mozambique, KPA of Kenya and hosts, Energie of Benin, the Nigeria champions put behind them their poor run in the FIBA Africa Zone-III qualifiers in Cote d'Ivoire to outpoint Apolitechnica 74-54 in their opening game.

Led by forward, Rashidat Sadiq of the national team, D'Tigress, First Bank won their second game against ABC 57-56. This was achieved coming from a first quarter loss of 21-14 to win the second and third quarters by 13-09 and 19-13 points. A 13-11 point fourth quarter loss did not deny Sadiq, who led the floor with 25 points, 4 rebounds and one block-shot, and team mates the joy of victory.

Brimming with confidence from their first two victories, First Bank sent inexperienced Energie to the classification stage. The Adewunmi Aderemi tutored team were emotionless as they slammed to a 88-67 point victory.

Dicey stand for Deepwater

However, while First Bank have provided an excellent performance in the championship, Deepwater have not been able to repeat the performance which saw them leading the Zone III qualifiers early in the month. Deepwater started on sad note with the national league's runner-up falling 58 - 83 to Interclube of Angola.

In what looks like a baptism of fire, the Lateef Erinfolami coached side that is making their first appearance in the annual competition lost all four quarters by 14-09, 22-17, 28-16 and 19-16 points.

The team fared no better in its second game as they were crushed 20-08, 15-12 and 20-12 points in the first three quarters by reigning champions, Desportivo basketball club of Mozambique who fell 72-71 to Alexandra Sporting Club of Egypt, another new entrant to the competition, on the opening day.

At the end of the game, the Nigerians lost 52-72 despite putting up a much improved performance in the last quarter to get a slim 20-17 point win. The team, however, put their chances of qualifying for the quarter finals on track with an 88-67 points win against Sporting of Egypt.

Only a victory over CSA of Cote d' Ivoire in its final group stage match will take Deepwater to the quarterfinal. Ironically, both clubs only victory has been against Egyptian's Sporting.

This will mark the sixth meeting between these two Nigerian sides in an organized basketball game with First Bank winning four of the sides five previous meeting at the home front and on the continent.

Both sides made it to the quarter-finals after finishing fourth (First Deepwater Group-B) and first (First Bank Group-A) from their respective group in the final round of the 15th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women.

First Bank is loaded with five foreign-based professionals while their Friday quarter-final opponent and greatest rival in the Nigeria league First Deepwater who is playing in the continent biggest women club competition for the first time after finishing second in the Nigeria league will bank on an all home-based players who took the stage by storm during the FIBA Africa Zone-III qualifiers held in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire earlier in the month.

Players to watch out from both sides;

First Deepwater - Magdalene Ukato, a product of Nigeria biggest developmental programme, the Nestle Milo Secondary School Championship where she caught the attention of basketball faithful in 2000 when she dorn the colour of Nana College of Warri.

Ukato, captain of her side is a resilient player that is unstoppable when she is at her peak; she was a member of the Nigeria senior women national team to the 21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women held in Madagascar last month
Ijeoma Uchendu – got age on her side, at only 17, Uchendu has proved to be a reliable forward for the Coaches Lateef Erinfolami and Shola Ogunade tutored First Deepwater basketball club.
Uchendu who sharpened her basketball teeth at the popular Police College, Lagos play ground under the watchful eyes of Coach Mark Balogun went on to nurture her career with Dolphin basketball club before moving over to First Deepwater at the inception of the club in January 2009 and has since become a dominant player in the team and in the local league.
Uchendu played a significant role in her team sterling performance during the zone-III qualifiers and in the final round so far, a good rebounder and scorer of the ball and was also part of the squad that qualifies Nigeria for the FIBA Africa Championship for Women held in Madagascar.
First Bank – Funmilayo Ojelabi, named captain among the legion of foreign-based players in the team is one player who is always business like when on court.
A reliable member of the team since 2002, Ojelabi has shown great maturity with every passing game, a member of the Nigeria senior women national team since 2003 and winner of the Africa club title with First Bank in 2003 has experience on her side.
Voted most valuable player of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF organized Zenith Bank Women Premier League in 2009, Ojelabi is very tenacious and does not get carried away with her successes.
Chioma Udeaja, very dependable at the low post, Udeaja is another player whose passion for success with her team has never being in doubt, she has remain steadfast even when the going is tough.
A good rebounder of the ball, Udeaja also has international exposure on her side and not a newcomer to the Africa Women Club competition.

The battle for the soul of the African women club title gets keener as teams now shift ground to the quarter-finals which get underway Friday at the gymnase of Ouidah 45 kilometre from Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The eight teams that made it through to the quarter-finals have shifted their focus on plans to outwit one another in the race for the title being held by Desportivo basketball club of Mozambique who is also in the race for a record third straight title as it coach Sale Nasir have declared in emphatic term that nothing will stop them from snatching the title again.

Coach Nasir who is also double as the head coach of the Mozambique senior women national team knows his onions and this they have being able to displayed since the 2009 final round dunks-off on November 13 in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The soft-spoken coach says his team will approach each game with the same zeal and seriousness as was evident during the preliminary round which saw them winning their remaining games after losing her opening group-B game against Alexandra Sporting Club of Egypt against First Deepwater of Nigeria, CSA of Cote d'Ivoire and Interclube of Angola.

We respect all the teams in the final rounds as no team is a push-over here but we are confident that we will go all the way and the only thing on our mind is to repeat what we have done in the last two editions of the competition.

'Remember we lost our opening group-B game to Alexandra Sporting Club of Egypt who incidentally did not make it to the last eight and that defeat actually woke us up to the reality that women basketball is growing on the continent.

We know Kenya Ports Authority our quarter-final opponent to be a difficult side when it gets to this stage, as they almost cause a stir when we play them on home soil in 2007 at the quarterfinal stage, the coach concluded.

Coach of First Bank basketball club of Nigeria, Adewumi Aderemi whose team gained a wild-card to the final rounds says his team will not treat any of its opponents with kid glove as was the case in Abidjan, Cote d"Ivoire during the FIBA Africa Zone III qualifiers.

Coach Aderemi whose side won the title for the first and only time in 2003 told FIBA Africa crew that the Elephant Girls is out to power past all oppositions enroute to winning the title for the second time.

He also called for the granting of a second slot to Africa in the FIBA World Club Championship that Africa basketball has come of age.

Club Sportif of Abidjan Wednesday had her pound of flesh with a narrow 51-48 points win to finish in third place in group-B of the 15th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women at the Palais des Sports in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The win thus pair CSA against fellow Ivorian side Abidjan Ball Club in the quarter-final billed for Friday in Ouidah.
CSA won the first two quarters by 14-07 and 13-09 points for half-time scores of 27-16.
The First Deepwater girls charged back upon resumption of play in the third quarter winning by 18-11 points and also picked the last quarter by 14-13 points.
The zone-III elimination winner will now square up against her Nigeria foe, First Bank basketball club in the quarter-final also on Friday.
CSA Kani Kouyate led the floor with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while First Deepwater Magdalene Ukato led her side with 13 points and 7 rebounds.

Wild card entrant, First Bank basketball club of Nigeria Wednesday showed champion stuff with an emphatic 84-29 points pounding of Kenya Ports Authority in her last group-A game at the Palais des Sports arena, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The former champion won in all four-quarters by 22-06; 16-14; 26-01 and 20-08 to stay top of group-A.

First Bank America-import, Danielle Green led the banker with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 block-shots and 2 assists, Adeola Olanrewaju had a double double figure of 11 rebounds, 10 points and 2 steals just as the duo of Chioma Udeaja and Rashidat Sadiq added 10 points each.

15th AFCCW: Energie gave-up hope, loses to A'Politecnica 39-79

Host of the final round of the 15th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women, Energie basketball club of Benin Republic Wednesday gave-up all hope of picking a win in group-A of the competition losing by a 30 points margin of 69-39 points to A"Politecnica basketball club of Mozambique.
The Mozambican won in all four quarters by 18-09; 14-10; 22-10 and 15-10 points to finish third in the group which comprises group leader, First Bank of Nigeria, Abidjan Basket Club of Cote d’Ivoire who finish the group as the second team while Kenya Ports Authority picked the fourth slot to the quarter-finals.

By Douglas Mazune

FUBA Basketball League
Best-of-7 playoff finals
Friday; Games 1:
Warrior v Power
Women
A- 1 Challenge v KCC

DESPITE defending champions D’Mark Power’s pedigree, Kyambogo Warriors coach Gad Etau reckons it is time for his side to rise and shine in the basketball playoff finals series that tip off on Friday at YMCA Wandegeya.

Coming off victory over the Mountain Dew Falcons, Etau hailed his team as a championship side and challenged his players to win the 2009 MTN Basketball League title.

“This is Warriors’ best chance. I keep on telling the players that if they don’t win this year, even if they take it next season it won’t matter,” Etau said in an interview yesterday.

“Our credibility was tested in the semi-finals. Falcons are the best team in the country in terms of discipline and technically.”

Warriors triumphed over Falcons 79-62 in the semi-final decider for a 3-2 win in the best-of-five series.

Etau acknowledged that Power has a more talented bench but it can be neutralised.
“We have got a fairly good bench now, just like they do. We respect their talent. We will manage their transition game,” he said.

He warned that they would approach the Power fixture in a different way.
“This is a different team we are facing. A lot is going to change from the way we approached Falcons,” Etau warned.
“My colleagues at Power say it’s going to be a clean sweep but that’s the power of the tongue. I see an interesting long final series.”

The Warriors fell to Falcons in the 2007 finals and were eliminated by the same side in the semi-finals last year.

by Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo
Kampala

Friday at YMCA
Men: Power v Warriors (8pm)
Women: KCC v A-1 (6pm)

Going into Friday’s game one in the best-of-seven series MTN-FUBA Basketball League finals, DMark Power star guard Isaac Afidra is worried that the long rest they have had since their semi-final against KIU could work against them.
Having completed their best-of-five series with KIU in four games – winning 3-1 about 11 days ago – Power have rested for over a week as opposed to their opponents – Warriors – who only overcame Falcons 3-2 on Sunday.

“Though it’s supposed to offer a breather, the rest has disorganised us a bit as players’ rhythm is distorted,” Afidra, arguably the best player in the regular season, told Daily Monitor. But Warriors coach Gad Eteu is not falling into the champions’ trap. “They must have been working hard and watching the tough series we played (against Falcons),” Eteu said.

In the interview, Afidra shed the favourites tag as they seek to keep the crown. “At this point, they (Warriors) have the momentum which makes the series balanced. Game one will give us the rhythm we need going forward.” “Power is a totally different team than Falcons. We shall use the first game to design a strategy for the entire series,” Eteu said.

Eight teams have made their way to the quarter-final of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women holding in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

In group-A First Bank look set to top the group with one game left for the winner of the 2003 edition of the continent most prestigious women club competition, other teams that have made it to the last eight in the group includes, Abidjan Basket Club (ABC), A’Politcnica basketball club of Mozambique and Kenya Port Authority basketball club.

And making the cut in group-B are defending champion Desporti vo who will be playing her last group game against Interclube basketball club of Angola, Club SDportif of Abidjan, CSA and Nigeria First Deepwater are the other teams who have booked their passage in group-B.

First Bank will Wednesday (today) file out against Kenya Port Authority with a view of keeping her unbeaten run intact and remain top of the group as their closest rival in the group, ABC have completed her own group games, the First Bank versus KPA game comes up at 14.00Hour while the group other game for Day-4 proceeding will be between bottom placed Energie basketball club of Benin and A’Politecnica of Mozambique at 16.00Hour.

In group-B the race for the final finishing become keener as the last group games are played Wednesday (today) with Interclube of Angola battling defending champion, Desportivo for the top spot while CSA and First Deepwater fight for who will finish third and fourth.

The Interclube basketball club big match-up against Desportivo comes up at 18.00Hour while CSA and First Deepwater will continue from where they left the rivalry in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire during the FIBA Africa Zone-III elimination with the Nigerian side running away with a slim 57-56 points win will entertain the crowd at 20.00Hour.

Ikuesan Olusegun
FIBA Africa

FIBA Africa coaches instructor Ronnie Owino will hold a 10 day Module 2 clinic for coaches at the Nairobi Railways Club starting mid next month.

Vitalis Gode, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) secretary said that only tacticians who completed their Module 1 clinic held a few weeks ago will be eligible to participate. The course fee is US $ 200 with half going to continental body.

In October, Owino who is a former national team head and currenly handling Posta in the premier league conducted a course that brought together 16 coaches.He has also held similar clinics in Zambia, Malawi and Swaziland.

"Because the participants in this course will be awarded certificates by Fiba Africa, I believe the turn out will be impressive than the earlier one." he said while urging all premier and division one coaches to avail themselves.

In a relate development, International Sports Academy of Kenya (ISAK) has planned a five day clinic for juniors at the same venue. Agina Wesonga, ISAK director said the targetted participants are 15 years and under.

Agina, an immediate former KBF chairman said the invitations have been sent out to over 50 schools and individual players in Nairobi for the December 7-11 course. Entry fee is shs 2,000.

"Basically this will be a basketball coaching clinic but the kids will also have an opportunbity to swim and also vist the adjacent amusement part during the course." Agina adding there will also be tree planting activity.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

By PHILIP ONYANGO Posted Tuesday, November 17 2009 at 18:36

Kenya Ports Authority’s women’s basketball team lost 47-54 to Abidjan Basketball Club (ABC) of Cote d’Ivoire in their second Group B match of the 15th Fiba Africa Champions Cup for women in Benin on Monday.

The Kenyans, who had earlier beaten the inexperienced Energie from Benin 70-32 in the opening match, completely failed to contain the more youthful and faster Ivorians who dominated the entire game leading in all quarters.

The win assured ABC of a place in the quarter-finals of the championship, which has attracted 10 teams after the Democratic Republic of Congo teams failed to show up.

Successful return

Against Energie, KPA led 24-09, 17-12, 17-05, 12-06 in this game in which their opponents had very little to offer. Elsewhere, Alexandra Sporting Club of Egypt made a successful return to African basketball with a half a basket win over defending champions Desportivo of Maputo, Mozambique.

Appearing for the first time after nearly 20 years away from African competition, Alexandra Sporting Club created an upset with a 72-71 points win over the champions. The Egyptians, who entered the court as under-dogs in this opening Group B game, took the first quarter 15-12 but the champions fought back in the second to take it 20-14.

Deserved victory

But a more determined Sporting Club came back strongly into the game in the third quarter with a 19-15 win and never gave up. Sporting’s Lewa Maihlewa led the floor with a double figure of 25 points and 13 rebounds while Heshan Hagar added 12 points and five rebounds to give their side a well deserved victory. In other matches, Club Sportif d’Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire lost 45-38 to Interclube of Angola.

The Ivorian league champion trailed the Angolans in the first and second quarter by 13-5 and 11-8 points respectively for a half-time score of 24-13. Club Sportif d’Abidjan came into the third quarter strongly playing a more co-ordinated game, which paid off with a 16-12 points win.

Interclube grabbed 42 rebounds, 25 of them from the defence as against Club Sportif d’Abidjan’s 36 while the Ivorian side turned the ball over 32 times against Interclube 29. It was, however, a baptism by fire for latest entrant to the biggest women’s club competition in Africa, Nigeria’s First Deepwater Basketball Club, who lost their Group B opening game to Angola’s Interclube 83-58.

Defending champion of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women, Desportivo basketball club of Mozambique rose from her initial set back to post a comfortable win over Africa champions club for women new-comer, First Deepwater basketball club of Nigeria .
The defending champion who went down to another new-comer Alexandra Sporting Club of Egypt by 72-71 points on the opening day of the competition did not betray any emotion as to her readiness not to be caught in another surprise defeat when it took on the First Deepwater girls head-long from the blast of the referees' whistle winning the first three quarters 20-08, 15-12 and 20-12 to enter the last quarter with a 23 points lead of 55-32 points.
Efforts by the First Deepwater side to stage a last minute comeback in the fought quarter could only yield them a slim 20-17 point"s win but the damage has already been done as they lost a second straight game in the series by 72-52 points.

Desportivo Leia Dongue recorded 10 points for her side while the duo of First Deepwater Nkechi Akashili and Magdalene Ukato scored 10 points each with Ijeoma Uchendu grabbing 9 rebounds for her side.

First Deepwater desire to make it to the quarter final will be further put to test on Tuesday when the file out against Alexandra Sporting Club of Egypt at 20.00Hour while Desportivo will have her hands full when it battle CSA of Cote d’Ivoire at 14.00Hour.

And with the final withdrawal of the two clubs from Democratic Republic of Congo Radi and Centremer basketball clubs all the ten teams in the final rounds of the continent biggest women club competition will observe Monday as rest day.

BEN - 15th AFCCW: Interclube wallop Sporting Club 77-37

Angola Interclube basketball club continue her good run in the final round of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women with a 77-37 points win over Alexandra Sporting Club of Egypt on Sunday.
The Angolan who is not ready to be caught in the web of a surprise defeat took the Egyptian apart from the start of the game to the buzzer shot winning in all four quarters by 19-05, 28-13, 11-09 and 19-10 to leave the Egyptian wondering what hit them.
Interclube Filipe Ngiendula led her side with 10 points and 5 rebounds with Neusa Afonso contributing 10 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds to give their side a second straight victory in pool-B.
Interclube will be off the schedule on Tuesday as actions begin after Monday official rest day but Alexandra Sporting Club will engage First Deepwater in the game of newcomers at 20.00Hour.

BEN - 15th AFCCW: First Bank in slim 57-56 wins over ABC

It was pay back time for Nigeria First Bank basketball club who ran away with a slim 57-56 point’s victory over Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) on Sunday in a pool-A pairing.
First Bank who came from first quarter lose of 21-14 picked the second and third quarters by 13-09 and 19-13 points to open up a 46-43 points lead going into the last quarter.
ABC major push to cancel the difference could on give them a 13-11 points lead as the Nigerian side wasted the remaining 15 seconds by passing the ball around until the buzzer-shot to record their second victory.
Bank and Nigeria international, Rashidat Sadiq led the floor with 25 points, 4 rebounds and one block-shot while Danielle Green added 14 points.
ABC forward, Fatoumata Camara led her team with 16 points and 7 rebounds, the duo of Dianne Abbady and Salimata Berte added 14 and 13 points respectively.
ABC will take on Kenya Port Authority (KPA) at 16.00Hour while First Bank battle home side Energie basketball club at 18.00Hour.

BEN - 15th AFCCW: A’Politecnica record first win, beat KPA 54-47

Mozambique A’Politecnica basketball club Sunday defeated Kenya Port Authority (KPA) in a pool-A game at the Palais des Sports in the final round of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for Women.
The Mozambican who was bruised by Nigeria First Bank basketball club on Saturday picked the first three quarters by 17-14, 11-09 and 16-10 before the Kenyan tried a late rally in the fourth quarter.
Joyce Memba 16 points could not save her side from going down to the determined Mozambican who won the encounter by 54-47 points.

A’Politecnica trio of Ana Azinheira, Marta Ganje and Iida Chambe recorded 12, 11 points and 12 rebounds to help their side record the valuable win of the night.

Day-3 results:

Desportivo 72-52 First Deepwater
Interclube 77-37 Sporting Club
First Bank 57-56 ABC
A’Politecnica 54-47 KPA

Day-4 Pairing (Tuesday 17/11/09)
CSA Vs Desportivo 14.00Hour
KPA Vs ABC 16.00Hour
First Bank Vs Energie 18.00Hour
First Deepwater Vs Sporting Club 20.00Hour

Play offs - ALL top four finishers in the men's premier league and three in the women's category made it to the play offs semi finals following quarter final matches played at Nyayo National Stadium over the weekend.

Reigning champions KCB Lions and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), away in Benin for the Africa championships, lead others in the hunt for 2009 title begins in earnest this weekend. Co-operative Bank of Kenya and KPA men will be there too as will be Eagle Wings and Eastern Queens.

Lions beat United States International University (USIU) with a cake walk 80-58 win while Co-op shut out determined Posta 75-72 in a cracking game that would have gone either way. Both the series went 2-0 in favour of the victors.

Yoni Wanambiro got Lions of to a bright start but Tigers forced a 5-5 tie before the bankers raced away to a 18-11 quarter edge. At the break, Lions were up 30-25 and 55-41 at the end of the third quarter of this showcase that turned into a rout in the last.

Tobias Onyango scored 17 points while Victor Odendo collected 13 for the national champions. Evans Letting was the top man for USIU as the usual scorers Abel Nson, Arou Chan and Chris Mulumba were kept at close checks by KCB defense.

Posta needed to win this tie by three points to qualify and they got off well taking a 25-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Co-op then took the remaining three quarter and in the end won by the margin their rivals were gunning for.

Richard Osano led the way with 21 points and Patrick Odhiambo managed 19. The mailmen were pepped by Ancette Wafula who nailed 23 points and Ben Oluoch scored 14.

International Christian Center (ICC) reached the play offs quarter finals with a 98-84 win over Strathmore University. ICC who won the first leg 88-84 in over time took a 23-16 lead in the first quarter. The students closed in 43-49 at the end of the break.

After resumption, ICC raced away building a 70-50 advantage as "Blades" committed costly turn overs that did them in.But Strathmore drew close 71-77 in the third quarter before again letting go the steam after James Omune had drained a three pointer for a 80-71 cushion.

Star guard Griffin Ligare who has led the team superbly through out the year shot play offs high 30 points and Omune added another 18 for the winners, who were placed third overall. For the losers, Ken Maru battled to hit 20 and Paul Nyakinda shot 15.

In the women's ties, Eastern Queens torched Sprite Storms 63-52 to make it to easily make it to the semi finals. The winners were up 31-7 at the break and it was all over for Storms. Linda Alando made 18 points and Hilda Luvandwa added 14.

USIU Flames was the only team to lose a series but still managed to make it to the last four despite going down 42-43 to Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University.Linda Sirma bagged 10 for the victors while Monica Odhiambo led KCA with 20 points.

Angela Okoth, back from Germany and her younger sibling Janet led Eagle Wings to a big 93-35 win over Yana. Angela shot 18 Janet had 20 while Anastasia Njeri bagged 16 in that win. Yana's Sylvia Njeri made 15. Wings completed the series 2-0.

Hilda Indasi scored 20 points, Linda Alando hit 15 and Zipporah Odhiambo managed 12 as Eastern Queens also whipped Sprite Storms 72-47. The losers though provided the top scorer in Sylvia Omollo who shot game 24 points.

In the lower division, Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University dismissed Nakuru Club 56-43 behind Victor Okello's 14 points. Daniel Odipo scored similar number. Parklands Baptists shut out World Hope 77-72.Hillary Radcliffe was the man hitting 14 but the losers Maurice Obilo led with 26 points.

Blazers completed the other upset when beat Mennonites 63-52. Mutwiri Kiogora led the way for Blazers, who finished eighth with a strong show nailing 22 points. Steve McOdongo had 15 for a distraught "Knights" who were placed second and high hopes of progressing to the premier.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo

Wandegeya

Friday at YMCA
Men: Power v Warriors (8pm)
Women: KCC v A-1 (6pm)
Result
Warriors 79-62 Falcons
(Warriors win series 3-2)

Warriors earned the right to stand a chance of dethroning champions DMark Power with an energetic display that dispatched the Mountain Dew-sponsored Falcons 79-62 under prefect weather on Saturday night at YMCA, Wandegeya.

The capacity crowd witnessed an often one-sided game as Warriors came through the bruising best-of-five semifinal series 3-2 to reach the finals for the second time in three years as they moved a step closer to breaking their trophy duck.

“All we needed to do is show maturity which has been our problem,” said Warriors’ coach Gad Eteu told Daily Monitor.

Omony fouls out
Falcons had come from 2-0 down to force a decisive game but fell just short as star guard Stephen Omony, signed for Shs72m from Seychelles’ PSL Hawks in the off-season, fouled out with two minutes and 12 seconds left in the final quarter.

Kenyan Martin Okwako was the main catalyst of Omony’s demise as he tore through the Falcons defence quite too often in sinking a game-high 22 points to avoid a repeat of the 2007 finals which the latter won 3-2 after recovering from a similar situation.

“Warriors hustled more than we did. They looked like they wanted it more,” Omony, who played at unusual centre but still managed 18 points, said. “A lot might be made out of my ejection but I always give my best whenever I step on court.”

Falcons struggled to match Warriors’ intensity and hunger from the onset as the six-time champions trailed 13-18, 19-26, 15-14 and 15-21 throughout the four quarters.
Tanzanian recruit Abdullahi Ramadhan (10), Ronnie Kasewu (12), Steven Okias (11) were the other Warriors’ players in double figures while Falcons only had Omony to speak of in the absence of centre Henry Malinga (knee injury).

Champions Power, having completed their series 3-1 win over KIU last Sunday, will be the better rested side when the best-of-seven final series start on Friday at the same venue.