Basketball in Africa

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Ahli Benghazi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ahli Benghazi defeated 7th ranked Madina in Benghazi 75-57. Ahli Benghazi has a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Madina lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with four games lost. Madina will play next round against Jazeera trying to get back on the winning streak. Ahli Benghazi will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Ittihad in Tripoli.
Undefeated Ahli Tripoli (4-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Ittihad (4-1) 73-59. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Ahli Tripoli. Ittihad moved-up to second place, which they share with Nasr and Ahli Tripoli. Ittihad will play against league's leader Ahli Benghazi at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ahli Tripoli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tripoli to the arena Yarmook.
Bottom-ranked Shabab (0-4) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fourth consecutive match to sixth ranked Hilal (3-3) 67-65 on Saturday evening. Hilal moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Morog. Shabab at the other side with four games lost. Hilal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Benghazi Nasr.
Third ranked Nasr (4-1) crushed at home 8th ranked Yarmook (1-4) by 32 points 87-55, which is the biggest margin this round. Nasr moved-up to second place, which they share with Ittihad and Ahli Tripoli. Yarmook at the other side keeps the eighth position with four games lost. Nasr's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Benghazi to the arena Hilal.

In the last game of round 6 Morog won against Jazeera on the opponent's court 70-60.

Nasr - Yarmook 87-55

Third ranked Nasr (4-1) crushed at home 8th ranked Yarmook (1-4) by 32 points 87-55, which is the biggest margin this round. Nasr moved-up to second place, which they share with Ittihad and Ahli Tripoli. Yarmook at the other side keeps the eighth position with four games lost. Nasr's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Benghazi to the arena Hilal.
gschID: 118856

Ahli Tripoli - Ittihad 59-73

Undefeated Ahli Tripoli (4-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Ittihad (4-1) 73-59. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Ahli Tripoli. Ittihad moved-up to second place, which they share with Nasr and Ahli Tripoli. Ittihad will play against league's leader Ahli Benghazi at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ahli Tripoli's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tripoli to the arena Yarmook.
gschID: 118857

Ahli Benghazi - Madina 75-57

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Ahli Benghazi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ahli Benghazi defeated 7th ranked Madina in Benghazi 75-57. Ahli Benghazi has a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Madina lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with four games lost. Madina will play next round against Jazeera trying to get back on the winning streak. Ahli Benghazi will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Ittihad in Tripoli.
gschID: 118853

Jazeera - Morog 60-70

Rather expected game in Zwara where 9th ranked Jazeera (1-5) was defeated by sixth ranked Morog (3-3) 70-60. Morog moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hilal. Jazeera at the other side keeps the ninth position with five games lost. Morog's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Shabab (#10) in Tripoli where they are favorite. Jazeera will play at home against Madina in Tripoli and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
gschID: 118854

Shabab - Hilal 65-67

Bottom-ranked Shabab (0-4) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fourth consecutive match to sixth ranked Hilal (3-3) 67-65 on Saturday evening. Hilal moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Morog. Shabab at the other side with four games lost. Hilal's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Benghazi Nasr.
gschID: 118855

africabasket.com

In last season’s MTN-Fuba Basketball League, many Ugandans found a totally new love. Some that made their first appearance at a basketball game during the dramatic best-of-seven final series between DMark Power and Warriors were hitched. They go into 2011 with a new treasure though most were not there at the start of the season.

Warriors were coming off their first national title and there was every reason to envisage a very successful season that lay ahead.

Wagons were quickly falling off at Mountain Dew Falcons and the then reigning champions cashed in by signing the Malinga brothers, Eric and Henry from the latter. The duo came in along with Michael Kariuki, Markmot Orom and Pascal Alule from KIU Titans.

The Malingas’ exit told more than half the story of what was going on at Falcons, Uganda’s most illustrious club, only for Stephen Omony to complete it.

Omony’s return from a semi-professional stint in Seychelles worth a widely reported Sh72m was short-lived as he later walked out over non-payment. He ended up at Miracle Eagles and the team came within one game of a first appearance in the play-offs.

Not to be outdone, Falcons plunged into the East African Community to sign several regional stars most notably Richard Osano Omondi, Sudi Ulanga, Mike Buzangu and Bienvenue Ngandu.
Even though they eventually got to the post-season behind Power, UCU Canons and Warriors in that order, Ngandu and Buzangu disappeared due to non-payment.

Inevitably, the club patron John Ssimbwa, though very defiant, watched in pain as his beloved side was bundled out in the semifinals for the second straight season.

Of all the four in the men’s play-offs, UCU had reason to celebrate most. Jimmy Enabu’s move from Knight Riders to join his elder brother Ivan instigated another appearance in the post-season. The title though remained a long short.

A rather thrilling league attracted mammoth crowds many of whom must have ended up as Power converts as they clinched a fourth title with a 4-3 series victory over Warriors. But what will not be forgotten is Warriors’ resurgence to level the series at 3-3 after losing the opening three encounters. It was a kind of comeback that left Power and their fans bewildered. Nonetheless, the champions managed to recompose themselves and won the decisive clash 83-71.

Perhaps, in preparation for a final onslaught on the crown, Power opted out of the regional Fiba Zone 5 Club Championships because of inadequate finances leaving Warriors, Miracle and UCU to carry Uganda’s cross in the men’s competition. They were not alone. UCU Lady Canons and the then reigning champions KCC Leopards entered the women’s contest. The contingent mirrored a crumbling pack of cards with only Miracle and KCC managing to win a game.

Classy Akinyi
In fact, the Rubaga-based Miracle won two and only lost to Kenya’s KCB Lions moments after arriving in Bujumbura, Burundi. Upon their return from the torturous bus journey through Rwanda to Burundi, UCU ladies returned in venomous fashion.

Only A1 Challenge were able to beat the 2008 champions in the first round and on resumption, the university side cruised through unbeaten into post-season. They flattened KIU Rangers 3-1 in the best of five semi-finals and clean-swept A1 Challenge 4-0 in the seven-game final series.

Lorraine Akinyi and Anastasia Njeri proved a class act in reducing A1 Challenge to a fourth successive defeat in the finals. The duo dominated all areas of the court and often got sufficient support from a secret weapon in Maureen Amoding.

Former champions Charging Rhino along with Youth Heaters earned promotion from Division Two to One. UCU JV and Giant Stormers upgraded from Division Three to Two. As the season wound down, Falcons lost Omondi to Miracle, Ulanga joined UCU as did Warriors’ Martin Okwako. There are bound to be many more in the New Year.

Basketball has surely broken so many barriers in the hearts of fans but disputes over sharing gate collections and structuring clubs to generate income from corporate companies in what is quickly becoming an elitist sport are big challenges.

Poor umpires
Inadequacy of umpires and coaches is also a big Achilles heel for Fuba as president Ambrose Tashobya completes his four-year term. When the Lugogo Indoor Stadium was closed just a few weeks following its re-opening upon renovation, it seemed to heal so much only for the famous venue to close for further renovation.

It left Fuba in a precarious situation where they might need to look at finding a more reliable place other than the eternal saviour YMCA Wandegeya arena. It is also unclear who should be blamed for the poor surface at Lugogo. University sides like UCU, KIU and Ndejje want to offer an escape route by hosting league games. But that is also subject to debate as the federation risks losing revenue. The hottest debate in so many quarters now is firmly focused on who should take the Most Valuable Player (MVP)’s award.

Whereas UCU’s Akinyi looks a clear favourite in the women’s category, stakeholders have a tough choice to make between Power’s Norman Blick, Isaac Afidra and Ben Komakech in the men’s sort. Another successful season locally but conquering the region remains a distant dream in addition to getting rid of complacency to build on this.

The continued closure of Lugogo Indoor Stadium over a dilapidated playing surface is costing basketball dearly. After heavily affecting the MTN-Fuba League play-offs over the past month, Uganda lost the hosting rights for next year’s Fiba Zone V Nations Championship.

Indoor venue
The event was due to be held at Lugogo in February but will now be hosted by Kigali, Rwanda thanks to Uganda’s failure to provide an indoor venue. “Lugogo is affecting so many of our plans and now Fiba wants only closed venues to host events unlike in the past yet there is no idea of when Lugogo will be re-opened,” said Bob Buga, the Fuba vice-president.

Uganda’s only multi-purpose indoor facility was shut down earlier this month as the surface deteriorated rapidly even if it had been closed by National Council of Sports for almost two years to undergo renovation for the first time since construction.

Mfantsipim School has won the grand finale of the 2010 Sprite Ball Championship for the first time while Sacred Heart cemented their dominance in the girls division on Thursday.

It was an action packed 2-day championship that brought the best out of the players who demonstrated enough firepower on the offensive and showed that their defence network was solid as ever.
Mfantsipim beat bridesmaid in the Ashanti region Prempeh College in an epic final 20-17 while Sacred Heart produced one of the greatest comebacks in the competition’s history to retain their title at the expense Aggrey Memorial in the girls division.

For the oldest school in Ghana, the success over Prempeh was not as good to them as compared to their sweet revenge over Armed Forces.Captain of the side, Edem Quist who was arguably the championship’s best player stole the show at the –El-Wak stadium with some amazing skills and fire power on the offensive.

Koforidua Secondary Technical placed third for the second time after they beat Labone in the third and fourth place match.

Meanwhile in the girls division, quartet Patience, Emelia, Ruby and Cynthia combined effectively to fight back strongly to beat Central regional champions Aggrey Memorial to send their teeming fans into rapturous response.

Captain of the Cape-coast based side Dyllis Achiaa was in some superb form alongside Kissiwa Sosu, Tilly, Jata Iddrisu and Barbara. They took total control over the game in the first half to take a healthy lead but went asleep in the dying embers of the second half to allow champions to claw back strongly.

Kumasi –based Yaa Asantewaa Girls took the third place after beating Tema Senior High in the third and fourth place match.

The attendance was massive and the 2010 edition of the Sprite Ball will go into the history books as one of the best games witnessed.

Sprite Ball Championship 2010 is brought to you by Sprite, Freedom from thirst and supported by Indomie Instant Noodles- tastes great and DDP Outdoor. Media partners TV Africa, Graphic Sports, Today’s news paper, Ghana sports news paper and powered by Rite Multimedia- Leaders in basketball development & promotion in Ghana.

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By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo (email the author)

Kyambogo Warriors will need to draw into their reserves to hold onto Tanzanian guard Abdullahi Ramadhan and Kenyan forward Martin Okwako following the expiry of the pair’s contracts.

According to the club patron Ambrose Tashobya, he is hopeful of agreeing new deals with the players if the team is to build on the success achieved this season.
“Their contracts expired and we are yet to discuss new ones with them. Hopefully, we can maintain all of them and continue with the same team,” Tashobya told Saturday Monitor.

Big influence
The duo’s influence was felt upon their arrival as Warriors won a maiden MTN-Fuba League title last year only to surrender it to DMark Power seven days ago.

However, Okwako may be a tough nut to crack having joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) as a student making him eligible to feature for Canons.
“Martin has spoken to me and has indicated his willingness to talk. For Dulah, there is still a long way to go. Both players are now home for holidays,” he added.

Unlike the first, the going has been very tough for the foreigners. Whereas Dulah was brilliant before choking when it mattered most in Game Six and Seven, Okwako can only look back at an average season when teams read his post-play.

In the interview, the Fuba president also spoke openly for the first time about the future of coach Gad Eteu whose contract run out and the need for new players.
“I plan to keep the coach only that he’s got to be won over first. On the whole, Warriors performed but didn’t win. “I can confirm that we are trying to sign two Ugandan players with pedigree and a foreigner depending on the future of Martin and Dulah plus a couple of young ones including 15-year old Japheth Hingiro (6ft 7’).”

Though Tashobya didn’t divulge the names being targeted, earlier reports intimated a failed bid to lure Kenyan Richard Osano Omondi who left Mountain Dew Falcons for Miracle Eagles.

This has left Warriors with an interesting prospect of trying to snatch two-time MVP Norman Blick from Power. Warriors want to finish their rota for next season by end of January.

South Africa to Host FIBA Africa Zone VI qualifying tournament for AfroBasket and All Africa Games 9th-15th January @ the University of Pretoria Indoor Sport Center

The Soccer World Cup has certainly sparked excitement around sport in South Africa, and with it gone, its legacy remains as the country continues to host international events. Basketball is one sport that has benefited from such a legacy as South Africa looks to host the FIBA Zone VI qualifying tournament for AfroBasket and All Africa Games courtesy of the National Lottery Board (NLB), Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in association with BasketballSA and FIBA Africa.
Many believe that the time for basketball to flourish in South Africa has finally come. As one would expect, this tournament should rekindle the excitement around the sport and hopefully start to see the 90’s growth in the sport happening again. With the launch of NBA Africa earlier this year, new found interest of the SABC in basketball and the possible launch of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2011, this may well be exactly what basketball needs to get going again.

The Zone VI Qualifier games are to be held at the University of Pretoria (Tuks) Indoor Sports Arena which is one of South Africa’s premier indoor sporting facilities. To add to this, thanks to NLB funding, the venue will be kitted up with a basketball wooden floor, new electronic scoreboards, 24 second clocks and great branding around the venue to give it an international basketball event atmosphere. As a cherry on top, spectators will be able to witness Africa’s most successful basketball nation, Angola, with 10 Gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in their last 16 appearances in the FIBA Africa Championship tournaments. Other countries taking part in both genders include:

•Mozambique
•Malawi
•Zimbabwe
•Zambia
•And host country South Africa
and Botswana (Men only)

With Angola automatically qualifying to play in the FIBA Africa Championship by virtue of being the reigning champions, South Africa biggest threat would be Mozambique, whose basketball has greatly improved since the launch of their professional league.

So who will qualify? Come check it out for yourself. University of Pretoria Sports Center, 9th-15th January 2011

Veteran Posta tactician Ronnie Owino has been named the head coach of the national men's team for the All Africa Games qualifiers in Uganda early next year.

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman Paul Otula directed during a Governing Council meeting in Nairobi that Owino will start off the porogramme straight away while the other coaching staff will be named latter.

The Kampala qualifiers would be used to name a team that would represent Zone Five in the Pan Africa Games slated for Mozambique mid next year. Otula asked Owino to look at players in the few play off games that are left and also in any tournament between now and February.

Owino said that he will involve a panel of 10 that includes coaches and officials to come up with a list of 25 players each from where the provisional list would be drawn.
"I believe that the best way to o about this would to be involve others in naming the players then from there now I would sit down with other coaches and looking at the position come up with the best squad." said Owino also Fiba Africa coaches instructor.

Th last national assignment for the senior team was in Kigali, Rwanda in 2009 during the nations cup qualifiers. Kenya lost to eventual winners Egypt and Rwanda winning against Uganda and Burundi. The team was handled by Gitau Waringo.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Whereas DMark Power might get through the festive season celebrating their fourth MTN-Fuba League title, other teams have already started groundwork on how to dethrone them next season.

Miracle Eagles have fired the first shot by acquiring Richard Osano Omondi from Mountain Dew Falcons. The Kenyan signed a three-year contract last week. “Yes, Osano is part of our team and this is only a step in emphasising where we want to go in the short and long term,” Miracle team manager Brian Minge told Daily Monitor.

He did not give away too much in terms of the financial implications to the Rubaga-based side that already has former MVP Stephen Omony, who quit Falcons over a pay dispute earlier this season, on its books as they strive to reach the play-offs for the very first time.

“Our agreement with him involves footing his tuition fees at Makerere University (where he is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Information Technology) plus of course training allowances and salary,” Minge added. Omondi’s deal is said to be worth Shs20m, according to sources.

His addition that follows the signing of point guard Francis Tumusiime in mid-season as he recovers from an ankle injury, makes Miracle an early threat with grapevine ripe that Power’s Ben Komakech might return to his former side. “I am a Power player and enjoying the moment of winning the title. I will think about my next move very soon,” Komakech said when asked.

White socks
During last year’s Fiba Zone V Club Championship in Kampala, Omondi rose to prominence not only for his white socks but also leading Kenya Co-operative Bank to the regional title. He was voted MVP.

Thereafter, Falcons signed him along with several other regional stars like Bienvenue Ngandu and Mike Buzangu who jumped ship prior to the play-offs over non-payment.

Omondi, now in Nairobi for the East Africa University Games, was the engine behind Falcons’ surge into the play-offs although they lost to Power in the semifinals.
“It’s been a good first season for me in Uganda and I want to continue playing here. Of course we could have done better with the players we lost especially Ngandu,” said Omondi. On the other hand, Minge has started hunting for a new coach as Brian Rugyendo left the side he led to fifth place for two consecutive seasons but failed to break the play-offs barrier.

Reports indicate the two parted company under mutual consent.

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) has named top players in its leagues during the just-concluded season.

Ulinzi forward Victor Odendo, who recently featured in the All-Star Senior Basketball Competition, emerged KBF’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the men’s Division One League.
He featured for Ulinzi Warriors, who came to the league this year after being in the cold for a long period of time following the team’s dissolution over lack of sponsorship.
His efforts earned Ulinzi promotion to the Men’s Premier League next year after the team emerged top in the category.
Also promoted are Mennonites, who finished second behind Ulinzi. Trail Blazers were third.
Odendo has proved his quality by capturing back the MVP award he bagged in the 2008 season while playing for the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

HELPED KCB

Odendo is best remembered for having steered KCB to regional men’s championships in Ethiopia (2008), Uganda (2009) and Burundi (2010) with an impressive finish.

Mennonites had something to be proud of as Most Defensive Player (MDP) Award went to Steve McOdongo from the club. But the women’s Premier League category was full of surprises. The MVP award was bagged by veteran player Helen Oketch of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

America-based import, Silalei Shanice, who has been featuring for regional champions Eagle Wings, was voted MDP despite playing in the league for only months.

KPA won the women’s league after coming from behind to narrowly beat Eagle Wings. Strathmore University emerged third.

Ali Salim of Co-Op Bank was named MVP in the men’s Premier League.
Salim led Co-Op, who last won the KBF title in 1998, to victory on Sunday.
Co-op won the title after they were declared winners by KBF officials following chaos by fans of former champions KCB.
KCB has been relegated to position eight and Posta, who finished third, were relegated to the second position.
Kenya Navy and Kenya Airports Authority are other teams from the Provincial League, which were promoted to the men’s Division One League.

Meanwhile, organisers of the All-Star Basketball Championships held on Saturday night at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium have promised a bigger event next year.

All Stars Basketball manager, Sammy Kirya said next years edition will be bigger and better organised as it will involve more teams.

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Former national champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) have been stripped of points and rankings by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) officials for causing chaos during their men’s Premier League final match against Co-op Bank.

The team is yet to face further punishment as KBF officials stated yesterday they would deal with the culprits who were behind the chaos.

"KCB have been penalised and now finish the league in the eighth position as they have been stripped everything," said KBF Second Vice-Chairman Henri Shihemi. Regional champions Co-op Bank were declared men’s Premier League winners on Sunday, just five minutes to the end of the match when KCB supporters attacked match officials. At the time, Co-op were leading 44-30.

The unruly KCB fans halted the match twice and also disrupted the medals presentation ceremony.

Posta, who had emerged third in the men’s Premier League, were therefore promoted to second and will represent the country in Africa Zone Five Championships alongside Co-Op Bank.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) came from behind to emerge this year’s KBF women’s Premier League champions after beating Eagle Wings 60-59 (12-14,5-16,21-12,21-17). In the second quarter, KPA coach Antony Ojukwu and other KPA officials stormed the court to apprehend umpire June Oluoch, whom they accused of denying them a foul and instead awarded it to their opponents.
Hilda Indasi and Helen Oketch gave KPA 17 points each. Brigid Nanzala (nine), Janet Okoth (nine) and Angela Okoth (12) stood out for Eagle Wings.
Eagle Wings coach Smatts Olumbo attributed their loss at the Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium in Nairobi to poor officiating. KPA coach Antony Ojukwu attributed the win to the strength of a younger team he assembled this year. Both Eagle Wings and KPA will represent Kenya at the regional championship next year.

Coincidentally, the two teams were also last year’s finalists, with Eagle Wings winning the national title by half a basket.

In another contest, Ulinzi Warriors were declared KBF men’s Division One champions after they won 87-51 against Mennonites. Trailblazers finished third in the category after being awarded a walkover against Nakuru Club, who failed to show up.

Posta emerged third after beating KPA 89-76 in the men’s Premier League. Strathmore emerged third in the women’s Premier League after they beat Yana.

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Teams and individuals will battle it out for honours tonight (Saturday) at the Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium during the All Star Senior basketball competition.

The event will be held under floodlights and Competition Manager Sammy Kirya has confirmed measures have been put in place to ensure adequate security at the venue.
Police officers will be present to ensure security, while St John’s Ambulance has been contracted to take care of emergencies.
An exhibition match was held on November 6 to test the facility’s ability to host night matches. The match also acted as a curtain-raiser for today’s event. West will battle it out against East In the senior challenge category, where Sh100,000 will be on offer for the winning team.
All Star Senior challenge players, who were drawn from across the country, have been training in Nairobi ahead of the event.

HUGE EXPERIENCE

West will rely on the Desmond Owili of Posta and Iraq-based Ancete Wafula for the much-needed points, given the huge experience the two players have.
Owili, a former player at Hope Centre, started playing competitive basketball three years ago and is set to proceed to the US on a basketball scholarship next year. The East team boasts of former US College North Star Conference Most Valuable Player Peter Kiganya, who is expected to partner with International Christian Centre (ICC) sensational forward Griffins Ligare.
But South Africa-based Rodney Genga has been ruled out of the competition with an injury.
Unlike the senior challenge category, where participation is free of charge, individual challenge entries will register with Sh500.

INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE

"Those participating in dunking, free throw, ball handling and three-point shoot-out have until today noon to register," said Fredrick Omondi, the event organiser and chairman.
The winners of the individual categories will pocket Sh10,000 each.
Young players, drawn mainly from secondary schools across Kenya, will battle it out in an exhibition match in the rookie category in a day veterans will also take to the court.
The veterans will play in an exhibition match pitting Mombasa against Nairobi. The event committee has unveiled the final team lists in various categories except that for the individual challenge.

The committee is comprised of Kirya (Terrorist) Omondi (Ministry of Information), Faustine Mgendi (ICC) and Emmanuel Ochieng (Terrorist). The event has been sponsored by members of the committee in conjunction with Q-busters and Surba Motors.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
the 2010 edition of the ipNX Basketball Competition jump-starts Monday at the basketball court of the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos with seven game decided in the age grade competition pioneered by Coach Mark Balogun.

In the U18 boys category which is the flagship of the competition Impression basketball club defeated Freedom Reign by 21-16 points while Tornadoes humbled Navy Academy by 21-11 points.

Two game were decided in the boys U16 cadre, Warlords basketball club was 23-11 points better than Raptors Academy Team-B just Warriors Academy had the better of the Rookies Academy side by 23-20 points.

Action was witnessed in the ipNX Rookies tourney in the U14 and U12 catedories. In the U14 Warriors Academy again was superb with a 16-08 points win over Raptors just as Diamond team defeated Rookies Academy by 21-07 points and the only game decided in the U12 category Rookies Academy went past Raptors by 08-06 points.

Action continues Tuesday in the competition that have produced great players that have represented clubs at continental engagement and the national team.

Competition Coordinator, Mark Balogun says the compeition will continue to chunk out players who could hold their own against any opposition.

africabasket.com

Somewhere in Entebbe, the Enabu family has spent a considerable part of their time since Saturday evening celebrating its first national basketball champion.
Emmanuel Enabu, the youngest of the three, is part of the DMark Power team that defeated Kyambogo Warriors 83-71 to clinch the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League final series 4-3.

In doing so, he achieved something his two elder brothers, Ivan and Jimmy, are yet to do despite playing in the league longer. “It really feels good to win anything and being my first season, it’s even better,” Emmanuel told Daily Monitor. And there’s no need to sour grape by UCU Canons mercurial guard Ivan, the more heralded and most known of the three despite his side losing in the semifinals to Warriors.

Ivan happy
“I am very happy for him and glad he has had a chance to do something I haven’t been able to just yet,” Ivan, the eldest and a seven-year veteran in the league, said. At the start of this year, Jimmy left hometown side Knight Riders to join to link with Ivan at the Mukono-based university side but they just fell short. May be, the duo need someone to learn from like Emmanuel, an understudy, has found in point guard Ben Komakech. “Ben has taught me so much. As a young player, he can be such a good role model both on and off the court,” Emmanuel said in praise of the 2008 MVP and now two-time champion.

All three didn’t rule out the possibility of playing together someday even though Ivan is thinking about his next move. He completed his education at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono this year.

“Right now, it’s time to celebrate Christmas then I can make up mind about where I want to play next season. Just keep working then a championship will come,” Ivan, arguably the most skilled hoops star locally, revealed.
A proud father, surely!

Saturday result
Power 83-71 Warriors
(Power clinch series 4-3)

Former NBA star Manute Bol and Wilbrod Okecho could be gone but DMark Power retain the same winning tradition. The two legends brought the club it’s first two titles with their dominance of the paint. Sudanese-born Bol died of acute kidney failure five months ago while Okecho succumbed to gunshot wounds in 2008. And it’s easy to guess that they remain an inspiration.

“Bol was very assertive when he wanted something unlike Oks who could bend once in a while,” Power official Elliot Bagenda, who played with both, told Daily Monitor. “To be in the same team with them, it demanded a lot of fitness and competitive spirit at a time when basketball was not as big as now.” Power have since transformed from not dominating the inside to becoming the fastest team in transition.

On Saturday evening, another Power class eked their names in the club’s history by winning a fourth title since 1995. Of all their previous conquests, this was perhaps the hardest.

Despite taking a 3-0 lead over Kyambogo Warriors in the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League final series, Power almost surrendered the crown. One victory away from the title, Lugogo Indooor Stadium was closed due to a horrible playing surface. The fear of losing momentum quickly crept in as the contest moved to YMCA court, Wandegeya.

WHEN Power fans flooded the YMCA court at the end of their team’s 83-71 victory over the Kyambogo Warriors in Saturday’s Game 7 of the FUBA men’s final series, it wasn’t clear what they felt: Joy or relief?

After racing out to a 3-0 series lead, there seemed little doubt about where the championship would end up. But Game 4 came and went and there was no title, the same with Game 5.
After failing to win it in Game 6, the nightmare scenario began playing on their mind.

Could they blow it away
“I had sleepless nights ever since we lost Game 6,” Power guard Ben Komakech admitted after Game 7. “The Warriors are a good team; we knew they could still beat us in this game.”

That knowledge was reflected in the defensive alterations which Power made in Game 7. Donald Blick was drafted into the line-up at the expense of Joseph Ikong, who offers little in defending.

Warriors stars locked out
By contrast Blick who can shut down a scoring machine in the opposition and that he did by taking care of Ronnie Kasewu, the Warriors’ star in their three wins. At the end of Game 7, Kasewu had seven points, his lowest in the finals.

But Kasewu wasn’t the biggest victim of Power’s defensive tune-up. It was Abdallah Ramadan, who came into the decider with double-figures in all the previous six games.

In Game 7 Ramadan made two points, suffocating under the watchful eye of Boniface Okello and Richard Balemwa. Ramadan and Kasewu, as well as Jude Ocen had complicated life for Power with their impressive three-pointers but failed to replicate that in Game 7.
The Warriors converted only three of 17 three-pointers, two less than Power, who had 16 attempts.
“It isn’t that Power played better defence today,” Ocen insisted.
“It is just that we had poor shot selection.”
With their frontcourt struggling, Warriors’ big men Eric Malinga and Michael Karuiki put up a fight. Malinga gunned 20 with Michael Karuiki picking 16.

Team effort reigns
Ultimately, though, Power’s Norman Blick and Komakech proved the real stars of the show. Norman grabbed a game-high 22 points and 9 rebounds with Komakech dropping 16. Those two have been Power’s dangermen.
Power’s season has been a team-effort that has seen a natural scorer like Isaac Afidra sacrifice his offence for the good of the team.
In the end, Power were deserving champions even though the Warriors will forever be remembered for pushing them to the limit.
As Ocen pointed out: “We are proud of our performance. We will keep our heads high.”
But obviously Power will keep theirs higher.

Seeing huge crowds throng local basketball games is a clear testament that the game is going places with numbers many other administrators would kill for.

Even then, the MTN-Fuba League has its flaws mainly in the lack of coaches to aid technical development across the four divisions and just a handful of referees.

Wednesday night bred controversy as Warriors defeated 90-89 Power in overtime to level the best-of-seven final series at 3-3. Game Seven was last night.

Umpires Hamza Nyambogo and Peter Kirabo were at the centre of it in a series that had previously grabbed all the right headlines.
The noose is fast tightening on the pair following insults exchanged with Power’s Norman Blick and Isaac Afidra when a presumed foul was not called on Ben
Komakech.

Now, the Fuba technical committee headed by William Musaazi has to find not only palatable but sufficient answers or else the game could fall into disarray. “This league has come from very far. For example, when we took charge four years ago, there wasn’t any policy for recruitment, development and deployment of officials but now there’s even a constitution,” Musaazi told Sunday Monitor.

These steps have only yielded seven referees to handle games involving 41 teams! When the play-offs came, Fuba decreed that only those with Fiba badges leaving four umpires to officiate.
According to Musaazi, “all registered clubs must send a person to Fuba for a basic refereeing course which is four months but many have not met their end of the bargain.”

Fuba head
Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya, also Warriors’ patron, was not being as fans, some in tears, attacked him over the perceived favours his team gets from officials.

He has been head of the basketball body since late 2006 and is due to step aside at the end of this year. The insinuations of his influence however false they might be can be easily understood.

“It’s all in the mind. People forget that I was coach of the Warriors in 2007 when the (Mountain Dew) Falcons came from behind to beat us in the finals. How come people didn’t say (the referees are influenced)?” Tashobya said in defence.

Back then, Warriors led the five-game series 2-0 only for Falcons to fight back and snatch the championship from Tashobya’s grasp.

Today at 6pm
Warriors v Power

Norman Blick hates the fact that he hasn’t won the MTN-Fuba League title in almost four years. Reprieve is not far as the three-time champion faces his toughest challenge to date this evening. Blick, arguably one of Uganda’s greatest basketball players, must lift DMark Power from their mental abyss to reclaim the title from Kyambogo Warriors.

Power have plummeted in appalling fashion after taking a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven final series to hand Warriors a lifeline in the clash set for YMCA court, Wandegeya.
Even before Blick thinks about overcoming the odds against an extremely dogged side, the Power captain and his deputy Isaac Afidra may have to wait until a few hours to tip-off to know whether they will take to the floor.

The pair has been under investigation over allegations of attacking umpire Hamza Nyambogo after Wednesday’s 90-89 loss that ended in acrimonious fashion as Warriors tied the series at 3-3.

“In our routine, the technical committee sits only on Tuesday’s unless in extraordinary cases like this one. Because of this being a voluntary job, we failed to sit on Thursday night due to lack of quorum,” William Musaazi, the head of the board charged with issuing punishments, said. Fuba find themselves between a rock and a hard place to be swift like they were in the semifinal brawl involving Warriors and UCU Canons.

“Even if we don’t reach a decision prior to the start of the game, they can play and serve any sentence when it’s eventually given,” he added without giving any specifics on whether Fuba can beat the clock. In a series that has had more or less everything, Blick might need more consistency having started the finals with figures of 17, eight and 13 points in the first three games respectively. The two-time MVP did get better to post 29, 13 and 24 points in the subsequent defeats.

Both clubs are still holding firm on their stance not to allow players to speak to the media but Warriors’ Ronnie Kasewu could care less as he dreams of a second career title. Kasewu has scored 66 points and 28 rebounds in his team’s renaissance to ditch the quiet start to the post-season thereby accompanying MVP contender Abdullahi Ramadhan.

For Power, their hopes of revenge for last year’s 4-1 finals loss and the 2007 semifinal setback lie in Joseph Ikong and Ben Komakech conjuring up a big performance.
Not only will tears be seen for both the victors and losers tonight, a thrilling basketball season comes to an end. So sad!

Game One
Power 93-77 Warriors
Game Two
Power 71-65 Warriors
Game Three
Power 116-108 Warriors
Game Four
Warriors 104-85 Power
Game Five
Warriors 85-81 Power
Game Six
Warriors 90-89 Warriors
Game Seven
Saturday, 6pm at YMCA

For twelve days, Warriors have had to live with the hangman’s noose round their necks since a 116-108 loss left them trailing the playoff final series 3-0 and requiring an improbable miracle to win the title.

Clawing back a 2-0 lead is hard enough, a 3-0 deficit virtually impossible. From game four onward, the holders have stepped on court well aware that the trophy was courtside awaiting presentation to Power if they slipped.

Warriors’ Ronnie Kasewu-inspired 90-89 overtime victory on a dramatic Wednesday evening levelled the series 3-3 to hand the Kyambogo-based team a moral triumph. By averting what had increasingly looked a finals whitewash, Jude Ochen’s team proved they possess the doggedness of champions.

Power are reportedly furious. They are seething with indignation over a host of issues. First is why they’ve let slip such a yawning advantage. They know they’ve blown three championship points and will have no more luxury in Saturday’s decider.

But most antipathy is towards the umpiring which, sources in the team claim, has kept Warriors in contention. They are citing fouls not called against Warriors and delayed Power time-outs.
There is no time to fritter away energies on controversy.

Tomorrow hands Power the final chance to rectify the wrongs of their last three games. The outstanding point guard Ben Komakech will yet again be key for Power. So will Kasewu for Warriors. Then there is Power captain Norman Blick. And Warriors’ Tanzanian import Abdullahi Ramadhan.

The season is now down to one game, just one game. Game Seven promises to be the mother of showdowns.

The South West regional League of basketball stated activities on Saturday 4/12/2010 in Buea with the Launching of its activities. The match Volcanic Warriors Buea Vs SONARA basketball Club ended 60 against 55 for Volcanic Warriors.Evolution Basketball Academy and Far compet all of Buea ended 28 against 37 for Far Compet Buea.

The first day of play

The city of Limbe hosted teams from Fako division for the first groupings on Sunday the 12/12/2010 at 2:pm. The teams included Zion Creekers from Tiko, Volcanic Warriors from Buea and the host SONARA BC Club.
In this Competition that saw the Limbe Team in the regional League for the first time over a long period was very thrilling.
Thou thoroughly beaten there is much hope with the team from Tiko which does not have a training ground for now.

Finally the match against to long rivals VOLCANIC WARRIORS of Buea VS SONARA Limbe was tight in the first two quarters then taken over by the boys from Buea to carry the day as the scores shown bellow.

SONARA Limbe # ZION CREEKERS (51-19)
ZION CREEKERS # VOLCANIC WARRIORS (24-72)
VOLCANIC WARRIORS # SONARA Limbe (47-27)

The League's activities have been suspended till next year due to the National Games Scheduled For Ngoundere 2010 from the 14 to the 22 of December.

The next grouping shall be in Kumba in January 2011 with teams fron Ekondo Titi, Buea, Limbe, Tiko and Kumba featuring.

The South West Regional League is glad to have covered 4 of its six (6) divisions with the slogan "Taking Basketball to another dimension", including, Manyu(Mamfe Basketball Club), Meme (Vianello Kumba ), Ndian(Pamol Basketball Club) and Fako(Volcanic Warriors Buea, Far Compete Buea, Veterans Buea, Zion Creekers Tiko and SONARA Limbe). We hope before the end of 2012 all the region should be playing Basketball at all levels.

Long live the South West Regional League of Basketball.May the Good God bless all the members of this League, especially those who have taken the League to this Level.

Le 26e championnat Daud's Cup 2010-2011 a débuté à Mogadiscio le 11 décembre. 9 équipes y prennent part.

Lors de la cérémonie d'ouverture, le président de la Fédération de basketball somalienne M. Ibrahim Ali Hussein a dit être fier du fait que malgré la situation de la ville de Mogadiscio, la Fédération ait réussit à organiser cette compétition en cette fin de cette année.

Le secrétaire Général de la Fédération, Bana Ali dit qu'il est très important que la fédération exerce ces activités. ''Nous devons être en mesure de rivaliser avec les autres équipes dans notre zone et la seule façon d'y parvenir est d’améliorer le niveau des joueurs.''

Il a également exprimé sa joie de voir la rapidité avec laquelle les arbitres et les entraîneurs ont adopté le chronomètre des 24 secondes pour la première fois depuis près de 2 décennies.

Pour finir, Il a remercié le Secrétaire Général de la FIBA Afrique, Dr Alphonse Bilé pour ce qu'il a fait jusqu'à présent pour la Fédération somalienne et il espère qu’il continuera dans ce sens pour aider la Somalie à redevenir ce qu’elle était il ya 20 ans au niveau du basketball.

Yesterday’s result:
Power 89 Warriors 90 (OT)
(Series tied 3-3)
Champions since 2000
2009Warriors
2008Power
2007 Falcons
2006Marines
2005 Marines
2004 Falcons
2003 Falcons
2002Falcons
2001Sky Jammers
2000Power

Hard as DMark Power strive, they are finding it almost impossible to halt the Kyambogo Warriors juggernaut.

The last two losses in the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League finals play-offs were hard to take but last night’s at YMCA court, Wandegeya hurts the most because it ensured a decider on Saturday.

Warriors narrowly defeated Power 90-89 in overtime to level the series at 3-all, something that looked improbable last week when the latter needed only one victory to reclaim the crown.

At the end of another Ronnie Kasewu-engineered result, Power skipper Norman Blick and his deputy Isaac Afidra made their feelings known. The duo showed their disgust by verbally attacking umpires Peter Kirabo and Hamza Nyambogo over what they saw as a foul not called on point guard Ben Komakech. The 2008 MVP was attempting a shot in the final four seconds.

Kasewu collected a triple-double of 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to continue Warriors’ recovery which hauled them within 40 minutes of a second championship in as many years.
He and his captain Jude Ochen (14) equally shared four three-pointers in overtime when coach Gad Eteu seemed content with only shooting from outside.

It helped the champions nick the ultimate period 12-11 in a relatively even game that did no justice to Blick’s game high 24 points.

Power fell back 17-24 in the first quarter, clinched the next 16-15 and followed it up with a 34-15 blowout in the third. In between the latter two, coach Bernice Ankunda took his players out of YMCA’s noise for a quieter halftime team talk when they had a six-point deficit to make up. He was clearly borrowing from Eteu who did the same against UCU Canons during the semifinals at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

Komakech (19-4-10) validated the talk by making a shot from the field for Power to lead 78-76 with six seconds on the clock only for Abdullahi Ramadhan (9) to reply sufficiently thereby sending the game into overtime.

Afidra scored 11 points in the losing effort. Surely, this is what dreams are made of.

Tomorrow at YMCA
Warriors v Power (7pm)
Power lead series 3-2

Bernice Nkunda might have to get rid of his relatively quiet persona if DMark Power are to regain the MTN-Fuba League title they lost to Kyambogo Warriors last year. That sour 4-1 loss in the best-of-seven finals 12 months ago has faded even though Warriors seem to be making progress in their bid to retain the trophy.

Sunday night’s 85-81 victory for Warriors confirmed lingering doubts about Power’s mettle with the former trimming the deficit to 2-3 after looking just one defeat away from surrendering.

Nkunda is starting to understand that momentum is slipping away. “Excitement had taken over because we have come so close to the winning the championship,” the soft-spoken coach told Daily Monitor.

Malinga brothers
He must look at the impetus behind Warriors’ resurgence. Over the past two games, the Malinga brothers, Eric and Henry, have dominated the paint at the expense of Robert Mubiru and Robert Wanitho. “That’s an important element which we must sort out in training,” Nkunda said before speaking with biblical certainty that his team “will win on Wednesday).”

His master plan has got to evade Warriors coach Gad Eteu as both teams have connived to bar their players from speaking to the media in a collective effort to stay focused for different reasons. “I don’t think we have done the hard part yet. Our plan was to create as many opportunities for the big men,” Eteu said prior to last evening training session.

Outstanding Kasewu
In addition, there is a resurrection of reigning MVP Ronnie Kasewu, who has scored 44 points in the past two games and picked 16 rebounds to greatly aid the mercurial Abdullahi Ramadhan.

“Now we need to avoid unnecessary pressure to complete the task at hand,” he added. His direct opposite underlines the need to heap more responsibility on his most versatile players; point guard Ben Komakech and forward Isaac Afidra. “Isaac and Ben can carry us in such situations,” Nkunda noted.

Results – Friday
Warriors104-85Power
Power lead series 3-1
Div II:
Rhino85-80 Heaters
Rhino win series 3-0
Div III:
Stormers72-63 UCU JV
UCU JV lead series 2-1
Today at YMCA
Power v Warriors (7pm)

Kyambogo Warriors finally shed some skin on Friday night at YMCA Court, Wandegeya in the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League finals following two weeks of toil against DMark Power.
Having taken the opening three games, Power knew just one more victory was enough to reclaim the title whereas Warriors stood on the brink of suffering a humiliating clean sweep.

The defending champions rose to the occasion to sweep away Power 104-85 in a rescheduled game after Wednesday’s rain thereby forcing game five at the same venue this evening.
So often, Abdullahi Ramadhan has needed support to lift Warriors from the hole they dug themselves into by squandering 17-point leads in each of the last two defeats.

And this time, Tanzanian guard made 17 points, including three out of seven three point attempts before being ejected late.
Company came in handy for Warriors to lessen the series gap to 1-3. Steven Okias popped up with 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists while Ronnie Kasewu came up with figures of 19-7-7.

The trio helped Warriors edge the first period 24-21 before Power took the second 27-21. The stage was firmly set for another collapse.

This time, coach Gad Eteu played his cards well in negating the effect of Power’s full court press for his team to take the final two quarters 33-16 and 26-21 respectively.
“One game at a time,” a sanguine Jude Ochen said knowing that winning three straight games will take more error-free performances like this one. He too was clinical for his 13 points just as were the Malinga brothers, Eric (14) and Henry (12).

Power might need a quick psychological pinch as Norman Blick’s game high 29 points were only a drop in the ocean with Ben Komakech (16) and Isaac Afidra (10) the only ones to make double figures. Coach Bernice Nkunda might want to correct the three-point shooting fast. Warriors nailed seven of their 23 attempts in comparison to Power managing only a third of 21 efforts.

The First Round of the Regular Season in Superleague is over.
Round 10 closest game was a victory of Gezira (#3) over their biggest opponent Somouha (#2). Gezira managed to escape with 2-point win 82-80 ending at the same time the two-game winning streak of Somouha. Gezira has a solid three-game winning streak. They jumped to the second spot in group B. They share the position with defeated Somouha.
Another interesting game was also a derby match between two teams from Cairo: Shorta-Police (#5) and Gasco (#3). Shorta-Police (3-7) smashed visiting Gasco (5-5) by 18 points 69-51. Shorta-Police did not change their fifth position in the standings in group A. Gasco keeps the third place.
An interesting game was also a derby match between two local teams from Alexandria: Al Ittihad (#1) and Sporting (#4). Sporting was defeated at home 77-90 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help ending at the same time the three-game winning streak of Sporting. Al Ittihad (9-1) of course still keeps top position in the standings in group A. Sporting stays at the fourth place with 4-6 record.
We should definitely mention a derby match between two teams from Cairo: Ahly (#1) and Shams (#6). Shams was smashed at home by 50 points 35-85 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Ahly (8-2) of course still keeps top position in the standings in group B. Shams added fourth loss in a row to their record. They dropped to the fifth place with 2-8 record.

In the last two games of round 10
In Group A Zamalek smashed Al Dhan on the road 91-60.
In Group B Geish Army was destroyed by Al-Intaj on it's own court 44-80.

africabasket.com

(by Thomas Fink) affricabasket.com

The men national team leaves for Harare, Zimbabwe today to play friendly matches as part of preparations for the Africa Basketball Championship qualifiers to be held at the beginning of next year. In Zimbabwe, the Botswana team will play against the senior and Under-20 teams on Saturday. The 12-member Botswana team has been training for the past three weeks at the University of Botswana courts and played the Botswana Under-20 side in a practice match last night.

Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) technical director, Mothusi Thipe said preparations got into full swing on Monday after the conclusion of the league and the National Championships over the weekend. He said the team is ready despite going to camp late. He is happy that most of the players are still fresh from league and cup action. The only thing that can disadvantage us is injuries that players got during the weekends National Championships, he said.

Thipe, Mothusi Phokoje and Ratanang Tsayang might not make the cut if they fail to recover from injuries. Thipe was involved in a freak collision with Spartans team mate, Moelwa Sikwila in their game against Troopers last week Wednesday. The final squad would be decided today based on injury updates from the medical team. The team is expected to arrive in Harare on Friday where it will immediately engage in a training session. It plays the Zimbabwe senior and Under-20 teams on Saturday in successive matches. The squad is expected to be back home on Sunday.

Thipe said the friendly games are part of preparations for the 2011 Africa Basketball Championship qualifiers to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from January 9 to 18. The senior team has had a quiet year with the weekend games being their first international games in 2010. Thipe said Zimbabwe has a fairly developed national squad that should give them competition before the Africa Championships quiliers.

Meanwhile, the women and men Under-20 teams are in camp ahead of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) basketball tournament to be held in Swaziland from December 9 to 18. Other countries expected to participate in the tournament are Africas top-ranked side, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, hosts Swaziland, South Africa, Namibia and Malawi.

Thipe said they are expecting a medal from the mens team. We have assembled a highly competitive side that should be able to hold its own against most of the teams, he said.

Wednesday results
Women
A1 Challenge 61-69 UCU
(UCU clinch series 4-0)
Warriors v Power (washed out)
Today at YMCA
Warriors v Power (7pm)
(Power lead series 3-0)

The rain came a little too late on Wednesday night for A1 Challenge to prolong their fight in the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League finals.

Whereas the late men’s Division One contest between Kyambogo Warriors and DMark Power was washed out, UCU Lady Canons overcame a tardy surge from A1 Challenge to defeat the latter 69-61 at YMCA.

That result gave UCU a rare 4-0 series clean sweep and a second league title in three years. By the end of the third quarter, the champagne could have been popped with the university team holding a 10-point advantage.
“I can’t say it’s been so easy but the entire team worked hard to make it look that way,” UCU captain Frances Nabulobi said after the team danced for several minutes much to the delight of the big crowd before receiving their trophy.

Nabulobi, a former three-time league top scorer, made nine points and seven rebounds for UCU to take two of the opening three periods 11-13, 18-11, 23-19.

It was a testimony of how Mandy Juruni has improved the side in terms of speed following last year’s semifinal exit. Just like she has been all year, Lorraine Akinyi capped a memorable season with 12 points and 16 rebounds. Anastasia Njeri made 14 points and was one board short of a double-double.

Thankful to God
“Everyone in this team has made us the best. We remain thankful to God who enabled us achieve our target,” Nabulobi added in applauding the contributions of Maureen Amoding (15 points) and Brenda Mbone (13).

A1 Challenge, now losing finalists for four straight seasons, had almost reversed their familiar pattern of running out of steam in final two quarters. Coach Hamza Nyambogo’s side edged the fourth 18-17.

Hatima Kassim fought hard for her 15 points and seven rebounds. That couldn’t heal this failure though and remedies for a first crown since 2005 might be hard to find.
“After this, we prefer to look at the future and restructure the team to make it more compatible with the game now,” A1 Challenge workhorse Mavita Ali (7) said.
“We are just not doing the right things and keep making the same mistakes.” Warriors-Power will have to re-do game four this evening. Trailing 3-0 in the series, Warriors led 13-11 before rain brought about a pre-mature end.

Warriors outclassed Power 4-1 in last year’s final series but have completely failed to recoup their form this term.

(by Wasim Baruni) africabasket.com
Team won the Itthad won a valuable and deserved at the expense of team AL-maroj also won the Ahli Benghazi His three on the Jazera within the games postponed from going the second week of the National Basketball Association, scored the Itthad team won their third straight and came this time at the expense of its host AL-maroj far from the points where the resolution of the itthad meeting in favor of the outcome of 88 to 46, where the team finished the Union the first quarter result of 19 _ 8 and ended the second quarter, the same score to end the first half, the progress of the Union 38 _16 and ended the third quarter a commanding lead of the Union has been made in which the players itthad had 28 points against 10 for the lawns in quarter.The latter is significantly elevated performance to end the meeting superiority of the itthad with 88 points versus 46 points for the lawns and Ahli Benghazi team scored an important victory is the third in a row at the expense of The host Jazera 77 against 70 in the match that held Mandela Hall.

Written by Felix Eupal http://www.observer.ug

At this rate, it would be impossible to determine who walks away with the playoff MVP gong this year.

Dmark Power and UCU Lady Canons in the driving seat have scores of players who deserve the accolade. Elsewhere in Power, no one has looked better than skipper Norman Blick.

Blick won the regular season MVP award last year, albeit amidst controversy. He was informed about the decision by the technical committee a day before, implying that the fans’ votes didn’t matter.

Isaac Afridra, seen as the rightful winner had already bagged the top scorer. So, the Federation didn’t want one person walk off with all the accolades.
But the Blick of last year is not the Blick of this season. Back then, what Blick lacked in scores, he made up in assists, showing extraordinary leadership skills and confidence.

For most people, the MVP award is all about stats. That’s not entirely true. Think of that player whose departure from the team would leave it in tatters. Going by this measure, no player would fit the bill than 2008 playoff MVP Ben Komakech.

While Komakech has been off for most of the playoffs, he showed up when his team needed him most. Just like he did in 2008, when everyone stopped working, he came knocking. If it wasn’t for that three pointer two seconds to the buzzer with Power trailing by three points, it would be a whole different story.

Isaac Afridra is another candidate. After struggling with a nagging knee injury all season, the man who believes he can do it all on court came on board and started from where he stopped. Despite averaging 17.2 points, he has been the mailman.

In the women’s category, Lorrain Akinyi has been a revelation. She has made opponents look bad, including A1 Challenge, whom she rendered an outfit in need of a massive makeover. Picking rebounds, assisting and scoring for the fun of it, last year’s women’s top scorer is at it again.

Of course her team mates have been a boost, always creating the chances for the star to shine and she has returned the favour. Maureen Amoding is the other candidate. She has come in handy, providing an answer whenever Akinyi was out marked.

The youngster has the agility of grizzly bear, and has never failed to take matters in her own hands. Even coach Mandy Juruni confesses she’s a “formidable asset.”

Anastasia Njeri also more than qualifies to make it to the nominees’ list. The Kenyan import is devilishly hardworking and amazingly effective.

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Former US College Basketball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Peter Kiganya is among local stars that have been drafted to play in the All-Star senior basketball championship next week.

The Lone Star Conference two-time MVP, who played basketball on sports scholarship at Abilene Christian University in the US, is not only a basketball player but also an actor. After unsuccessfully pursuing acting career in the US, Kiganya returned to Kenya and rejoined Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
Five years later, luck smiled at him again when Tony Maudlin, an American missionary carrying out projects in Kenya, spotted him and helped him get a basketball scholarship to the US.
"Through him, I got a basketball scholarship," said Kiganya.

He went back to the US in 1997 to pursue the sports scholarship at Abilene Christian University, where he also undertook a course in electronic media till 2002.

PRODUCTION CREW

The course involved integration of new media that includes photography, design and video editing. While at the college, he worked with KTAB TV, an American TV channel, as part of the production crew of sports news.

The media-savvy Kiganya emerged the MVP at the college’s Lone Star Conference League in his third year and got openings in South American countries, including Paraguay and Chile, where he played in the main leagues. He was voted the MVP in 2001 in the Paraguay’s Basketball League and was named Best Foreign Player in Chile in 2002.

He has also played professional basketball in the national leagues of Uruguay, Peru, Argentina and Brazil. This year, he emerged the MVP with regional champions Co-op Bank at the East and Central Africa Clubs’ Champonships in Burundi.

He has never played in the US National Basketball Association League, but he doesn’t regret it.

"In the US, apart from being talented, people have to know you. One has to be outstanding and Television also plays major role as it makes it easier for scouts to identify you," explained Kiganya.

Though he has been on and off in the country, Kiganya keeps abreast with the developments in the game locally. He has been attached to Co-op Bank since 2006, where he plays when the foreign leagues are in recess. His greatest achievement has been forming and sponsor Friends of Basketball of Kenya, a men’s Division One League team.

He urges local basketball officials to embrace tournaments like All-Star Senior Basketball Tournament to improve standards of basketball in schools, saying it would help revamp the game locally.

All-Star Basketball Competition Manager Sammy Kirya, says the inclusion of prolific players like Kiganya and South Africa-based Rodney Genga would help raise the level of competition.

At the weekend, Kiganya led Co-op Bank to beat Posta 82-74 in the KBF men’s Premier League play-offs, with 14 points to his credit.

Today at YMCA
Warriors v Power (8pm)
Women:
A1 v UCU (6pm)
(Power and UCU lead series 3-0)

Just like two years ago, DMark Power and UCU Lady Canons will come to YMCA Court Wandegeya this evening with a sense of de javu. Both teams, champions in 2008, lead their respective MTN-Fuba League best-of-seven finals against Kyambogo Warriors and A1 Challenge 3-0. This implies that they are 40 minutes away from reclaiming their crowns to complete a remarkable clean sweep in what has been an anti-climax to the season so far.

Guard Ronnie Kasewu has not been as influential in scoring throughout the season just months after leading Warriors to their first championship and clinching the MVP title but believes in miracles. “Mentally, we are keeping our heads up after forcing double overtime (in game three which Warriors lost 116-108),” an optimistic Kasewu told Daily Monitor.

Adding; “There’s history in the making here if we win and then have seven games.” Many cannot agree with him as his team has squandered 17-point leads in each of the past two defeats. Foul trouble too is becoming a norm for big men Henry Malinga and Michael Kariuki.

Abdullahi Ramadhan has carried the cross on his own at times. But more importantly, Power’s depth has kept the two finalists apart. On Sunday night, Ben Komakech’s three-pointer to force overtime was only testament of the options at hand.

Emmanuel Enabu (13 points) and a rejuvenated Joseph Ikong (29) took over thereafter following his return from the US to aid Isaac Afidra’s consistency that easily makes a contender for MVP. “There’s nothing that can stop us from sweeping them,” Ikong asserted prior to game three with Power closing in on revenge for last year’s 4-1 finals defeat. He sounds more truthful now than ever before.

UCU sure
Unlike Power, UCU’s Maureen Amoding has already popped the champagne. “I think we have won the championship,” Amoding noted despite contributing only six points three days ago.

It’s the aura of invincibility brought in Anastasia Njeri, Brenda Mboine and Lorriane Akinyi that gives her the zeal to say so. “Hard work and lots of determination has got us this far. The feeling of losing last year (in the semifinals) has also been a big motivating factor. Our big men and speed makes us a bit different from the rest,” she added.

ABUJA (DStv PBL) - As a result of the late confirmation of the dates for the final round of the 2010 FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men, to be held in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has delayed the beginninfg of the 2010/2011 DStv Premier Basketball League season until the first week of January 2011.

FIBA Africa recently confirmed Cotonou as host city of the final round of the Champions Cup scheduled for 9-19 December. This new date clashes with the start-up date of the Nigerian domestic season. Indeed, two Nigerian club sides, Kano Pillars and Royal Hoopers, are taking part in the continent’s biggest club competition after qualifying from the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifiers in Liberia last month.

The NBBF has consequently extended the deadline for the submission of registration for the season to 22 December 2010. The League nevertheless retains its sixteen-team format, eight in each of the two conferences - Atlantic and Savannah.

The sixteen teams include;
Atlantic Conference: Chariot, Delta Force, Dodan Warriors, Ebun Comets, Lagos Islanders, Police Baton, Royal Hoopers and Union Bank.
Savannah Conference: Bauchi Nets, Kada Stars, Kano Pillars, Niger Potters, Nigeria Immigration, Plateau Peaks, Tapgun Rockets and Yelwa Hawks.
Nigeria Customs and AHIP Giants basketball clubs were relegated at the end of the 2009/2010 season, with Chariot and Nigeria Immigration, taking their places respectively.

Heading into the New Year, Nigeria will be participating in the FIBA Africa Championship for Men billed for August 2011 in Ivory Coast and and the Women's edition in Mali.
Additional commitments include the 10th All Africa Games for Men and Women in Mozambique as well as the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Chile.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa

Yesterday’s results
Power 116-108 Warriors (2OT)
Women
UCU 65-50 A1
(Power and UCU lead series 3-0)

Ben Komakech made a desperate but rather composed three-pointer at the death as DMark Power came from behind to defeat Kyambogo Warriors 116-108 in double overtime to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League final series at YMCA court last night.

That attempt was just one of his pivotal game-winning 26 points for Power to wipe a nine-point deficit lead at the start of the fourth quarter to force a late finish with both teams tied at 88-88.

At the end of the first overtime, Warriors star Eric Malinga (20-10) stretched the game further when he made two free throws with two seconds on the clock. It was not yet over for the huge divided crowd as nothing could separate the two sides at 99-99. “The bench won us the game,” Komakech said in deflecting attention from himself to heap praise on his understudy Emmanuel Enabu (13). Warriors, who looked to have benefited from last week’s closure of the Lugogo Arena that led to the postponement of games, didn’t need this.

The champions’ hopes of putting Power on the back foot evaporated when Tanzanian guard Abdullahi Ramadhan (12) fouled out to join Ronnie Kasewu (8) and Jude Ochen (16) on the bench in the last overtime period.

Sooner, Martin Okwako (10), Henry Malinga (15) and Michael Kariuki (3) were expelled, leaving Warriors thin to the bone as they lacked someone to manage the ball save for Pascal Alule, who spends more time on the bench than on the court.
Power had started marginally the better team in the dour game, until the fourth quarter, taking the first period 21-16 before coach Gad Eteu’s side regrouped to cruise through the second 31-17. Komakech, the 2008 MVP instigated a recovery by dishing 15 assists before he exited the game with five fouls.

Similar offences
Regardless of him already finding Norman Blick (13) and Richard Balemwa (5) in the dugout for similar offences, Power had too much arsenal. Joseph Ikong was quick on the transition with a game-high 29 points whereas Isaac Afidra resurrected belatedly to make 12 and pick 11 rebounds to clinch the final two quarters of regulation time 22-20 and 26-19.

Game four is set for Wednesday as Warriors are on the brink on suffering a humiliating clean sweep to a team they beat 4-1 in last year’s final. In the women’s game, UCU Lady Canons strengthened their stranglehold on the title with a commanding 66-50 victory over free-falling A1 Challenge for a 3-0 lead.

Vicky Nassolo left the floor inconsolable. Her game-high 23 couldn’t rescue her side from UCU’s fangs. The former trailed 5-16, 8-13 and 17-19 in the first three quarters respectively. Anastasia Njeri led with a team-high 16 points, three rebounds and four assists for UCU. Brenda Mboine and Lorriane Akinyi added 15 and 12 points.

Today at YMCA
Power v Warriors (6pm)
Women:
UCU v A1 (4pm)
(Power and UCU lead series 2-0)
Div. II:
Rhino v Heaters (2pm)
Div. III:
Stormers v UCU JV (12noon)
(Rhino and UCU JV lead series 1-0)

The Malinga brothers, Henry and Eric, are winners of multiple MTN-Fuba League titles during their time at the Mountain Dew Falcons.
Having moved to the Kyambogo Warriors in the off-season, they could be facing arguably the toughest tests of their time against DMark Power in the best-of-seven series final.

Warriors trail 2-0 as the series moves to YMCA court Wandegeya this evening for game three following the closure of Lugogo Indoor Stadium last week due to a rapidly declining surface. And the shut down of Lugogo might be just what Warriors needed whereas Power must have been desperate to avoid losing momentum.

Errors
Eric understands the need for perfection. “Costly errors have cost us the games. We must be able to cut down our margin of error to zero be able to claw back in the series,” he advised. However, the burden could heavily lie on the Malingas and Michael Kariuki. Inconsistency of the big men has greatly defined the trio so far exposing guards Abbdullahi Ramadhan and Ronnie Kasewu.

The difference between them and Power, who are seeking revenge for the humiliating 4-1 loss to Warriors last year, has been the ability to share responsibility.
After making 20 points in a comeback 71-65 victory, shooting guard Joseph Ikong even got bullish. “I think we can sweep Warriors (4-0). All we need is to stick to what we have been doing this season and improve our defence,” Ikong said.
Isaac Afidra is arguably having his best play-offs while his teammates Robert Mubiru, Ben Komakech and skipper Norman Blick have made contributions when needed.

In the early game, UCU Lady Canons – in a position similar to Power’s – can take another gigantic stride towards reclaiming the title with victory over A1 Challenge.

By CAXTON APOLLO aayienga@yahoo.co.uk

Kenya Ports Authority yesterday became the first women’s basketball team to qualify for the 2010 play-offs final following their 40-36 victory over Strathmore University in the semi-final Game Two tie at the Nyayo National Stadium.

As a result, KPA sailed through to the final on a 2-0 basis after having rocked the students 79-36 in the opening Game One at their KPA Makande gymnasium in Mombasa last weekend.

They are again expected to face champions Eagle Wings in the final, who are a game up after humiliating weak Yana 69-24 on Saturday.
Ulinzi Warriors, who had won the men’s championship a record of five-times in a row, also qualified for the lower competition final after dispatching home Nakuru Club 2-0.
Narrow victory

Mennonites refused to go down, forcing a decisive Game Three against Trail Blazers whom they beat 70-63 while champions Eagle Wings made a good start demolishing Yana 69-24 in their semi-final Game One.
On Saturday, KPA who had won the opener with a huge 79-36 margin in Mombasa last weekend, found the going tough registering a narrow 40-36 win in Game Two.
Strathmore, who had down their homework well, gave KPA a run for the money tying the scores 16-16 at half-time.
Veteran Miriam Awuor, who was later injured in the last quarter, had teamed up well with Joyce Makungu and Carol Mureji to earn the visiting dock women a 14-8 first quarter lead.
Strathmore, who needed to win to force the decisive Game Three on Sunday, had their secret weapon Grace Wanjiku and Faith Owich breathing fire in the second quarter.

Three-pointers

The duo were responsible for the students superb 8-2 run in the second quarter which left KPA a worried side.

On resumption, coach Anthony Ojukwu had his fingers crossed as Hellen Oketch and Hilda Luvandwa gave the dockwomen hope.
They hit hard the students 5-1 for a lead 12-17. Strathmore coach Sylvia Njeri called for a quick time out which yielded fruit as the students raced a 5-0 run to celebrate the deserved 23-22 lead.

It later became a tough battle as both teams worked extra hard locking the scores 24-24 and 26-26 as fans cheered up. Brilliant guard Wanjiku threatened with accurate three-point shooting which again shot the students up 35-33 in the last quarter.

Five make-or-break men and women’s national basketball play-offs semi-final Game Two matches are on the card at the Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday starting at 9am.

Posta will lead four other teams which got off to a flying start by winning their opening Game One matches of the best-of-three series in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru last weekend.

Another win for, Kenya Ports Authority men and women’s teams, Posta, Ulinzi Warriors and Trail Blazers will see them qualify for the 2010 play-offs finals on a 2-0 run.
But should the losers; men’s champions KCB Lions, Co-op Bank, Nakuru Club, Mennonites and Strathmore women’s team rise to the occasion to tie the series 1-1, the decisive Game Three matches to separate them are scheduled for the same venue on Sunday.

KPA men’s side caused the play-offs major upset beating champions KCB Lions 87-71 in Mombasa while the dockwomen also humiliated Strathmore University 79-36.
Posta had Ancette Wafula pouring in game-high 19 points as they rocked Co-operative Bank 74-68, Ulinzi Warriors shot down hosts Nakuru Club 68-58 at Menengai High School in Nakuru while Trail Blazers shocked favourites Mennonites 70-67.
Pressure will be on KCB Lions, who must beat KPA to avoid an embarrassing 2-0 exit in this year’s competition.

The biggest surprise of 9th round was when Zamalek handed the first loss to the leader. It also means that the series of four victories in a row of Al Ittihad ended. It was a key game for the second position in group A. Zamalek (7-2) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place in group A. Al Ittihad still keep top position with one game lost. Zamalek is looking forward to face Al Dhan (#6) in the next round. Al Ittihad will play against Sporting (#4) and is hoping to win this game.
Another exciting game was between Gezira and Ahly when the hosts won 67:62. It also means that the series of four victories in a row of Ahly ended. Gezira maintains third place in group B having just two points less than leader Ahly. Ahly still keep top position with two games lost. Gezira's will play against league's second-placed Somouha in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ahly will play against Shams and hope to get back on the winning track.
An interesting game Geish Army lost their third straight game in a row. Somouha maintains second place in group B with 6-3 record having just one point less than leader Ahly. Geish Army dropped to the fifth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Shams. Somouha will meet at home Gezira (#3) in the next round. Geish Army will play against Al-Intaj and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 9 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
In Group A Sporting crushed Shorta-Police in a road game 95-75. Gasco smashed Al Dhan at home 78-70.
In Group B Shams was destroyed by Al-Intaj on the opponent's court 70-55.


Group A
Shorta-Police - Sporting 75-95

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 4th placed Shorta-Police (2-7) was crushed by fifth ranked Sporting (4-5) 95-75. Sporting (4-5) has a solid series of three victories in a row comparing to three consecutive losses by Shorta-Police. Thanks to that win Sporting moved-up to fourth place in group A. Shorta-Police dropped to the fifth place with seven games lost. Sporting is looking forward to face league's leader Al Ittihad in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shorta-Police will play against Gasco (#3) and is hoping to win this game.

Gasco - Al Dhan 78-70

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Gasco (5-4) defeated 6th ranked Al Dhan (1-8) 78-70. Gasco maintains third place in group A having just two points less than leader Al Ittihad. Al Dhan keeps the sixth place with eight games lost. Gasco is looking forward to face Shorta-Police (#5) in the next round. Al Dhan will play against the league's second-placed Zamalek and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.

Al Ittihad - Zamalek 100-102

The biggest surprise of 9th round was when Zamalek handed the first loss to the leader. It also means that the series of four victories in a row of Al Ittihad ended. It was a key game for the second position in group A. Zamalek (7-2) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place in group A. Al Ittihad still keep top position with one game lost. Zamalek is looking forward to face Al Dhan (#6) in the next round. Al Ittihad will play against Sporting (#4) and is hoping to win this game.

Group B
Al-Intaj - Shams 70-55

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked Shams' (2-7) road loss to fifth ranked Al-Intaj (4-5) 55-70. Shams lost their third straight game in a row. Thanks to that win Al-Intaj moved-up to fourth place in group B. Shams dropped to the fifth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Geish Army. Al-Intaj is looking forward to face Geish Army (#5) in the next round. Shams will play against the league's new leader Ahly and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.

Gezira - Ahly 67-62

Another exciting game was between Gezira and Ahly when the hosts won 67:62. It also means that the series of four victories in a row of Ahly ended. Gezira maintains third place in group B having just two points less than leader Ahly. Ahly still keep top position with two games lost. Gezira's will play against league's second-placed Somouha in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ahly will play against Shams and hope to get back on the winning track.

Geish Army - Somouha 46-77

An interesting game Geish Army lost their third straight game in a row. Somouha maintains second place in group B with 6-3 record having just one point less than leader Ahly. Geish Army dropped to the fifth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Shams. Somouha will meet at home Gezira (#3) in the next round. Geish Army will play against Al-Intaj and hope to secure a win.

Al Ittihad managed to secure only two-point victory 81-79 over Shorta Police. But their fans expected easier game. Al Ittihad (8-0) has a solid series of four victories in a row. They stay at first position in group A. Shorta-Police who is 3-6 is currently in fourth place as they suffered their sixth loss. Al Ittihad is looking forward to face league's second-placed Zamalek in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Shorta-Police will play against Sporting and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Very significant was Zamalek's (#2) 16-point home victory against one of their biggest challengers Gasco in group A 78-62. Zamalek (6-2) has a solid series of four victories in a row comparing to three consecutive losses by Gasco. Despite the win Zamalek (6-2) stay at second position in group A having just two points less than leader Al Ittihad. Gasco who is 4-4 is currently in third place. Zamalek's will play against league's leader Al Ittihad in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Gasco will play against Al Dhan and hope to get back on the winning track.
Second-ranked Somouha had no problems on the court of Shams (#6). Somouha (5-3) outscored Shams (2-6) with a record 37 points 100-63. Despite the victory Somouha stay at second position in group B having just four points less than leader Ahly. Shams who is 2-6 is currently in sixth place as they suffered their sixth loss. Somouha will meet Geish Army (#4) in the next round. Shams will play against Al-Intaj and hope to secure a win.
League top team - Ahly (7-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Al-Intaj 78-61. Ahly stay at first position in group B. Al-Intaj who is 3-5 is currently in fourth place as they suffered their fifth loss. Ahly's opponent will be Gezira (#3) in the next round. Al-Intaj will play against Shams.

In the last two games of round 8
In Group A Sporting destroyed Al Dhan on the opponent's court 90-84.
In Group B Gezira outscored Geish Army in a home game 81-44.

Group A
Al Ittihad - Shorta-Police 81-79

Al Ittihad managed to secure only two-point victory 81-79. But their fans expected easier game. Al Ittihad (8-0) has a solid series of four victories in a row. They stay at first position in group A. Shorta-Police who is 3-6 is currently in fourth place as they suffered their sixth loss. Al Ittihad is looking forward to face league's second-placed Zamalek in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Shorta-Police will play against Sporting and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.

Zamalek - Gasco 78-62

Very significant was Zamalek's (#2) 16-point home victory against one of their biggest challengers Gasco in group A 78-62. Zamalek (6-2) has a solid series of four victories in a row comparing to three consecutive losses by Gasco. Despite the win Zamalek (6-2) stay at second position in group A having just two points less than leader Al Ittihad. Gasco who is 4-4 is currently in third place. Zamalek's will play against league's leader Al Ittihad in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Gasco will play against Al Dhan and hope to get back on the winning track.

Al Dhan - Sporting 84-90

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked Al Dhan's (1-7) home loss to fifth ranked Sporting (2-5) 84-90. Despite the victory Sporting stay at fifth position in group A. Al Dhan who is 1-7 is currently in sixth place as they suffered their seventh loss. Sporting is looking forward to face higher ranked Shorta-Police (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Dhan will play against Gasco and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.

Group B
Ahly - Al-Intaj 78-61

League top team - Ahly (7-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Al-Intaj 78-61. Ahly (7-1) has a solid series of four victories in a row. Ahly stay at first position in group B. Al-Intaj who is 3-5 is currently in fourth place as they suffered their fifth loss. Ahly's opponent will be Gezira (#3) in the next round. Al-Intaj will play against Shams.

Shams - Somouha 63-100

Second-ranked Somouha had no problems on the court of Shams (#6). Somouha (5-3) outscored Shams (2-6) with a record 37 points 100-63. Despite the victory Somouha stay at second position in group B having just four points less than leader Ahly. Shams who is 2-6 is currently in sixth place as they suffered their sixth loss. Somouha will meet Geish Army (#4) in the next round. Shams will play against Al-Intaj and hope to secure a win.

Gezira - Geish Army 81-44

Rather predictable result when third ranked Gezira (4-4) smashed 5th ranked Geish Army (3-5) 81-44. Despite the victory Gezira stay at third position in group B having just six points less than leader Ahly. Geish Army who is 3-5 is currently in fourth place as they suffered their fifth loss. Gezira is looking forward to face league's leader Ahly in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Geish Army will play against the league's second-placed Somouha and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
gschID: 116273

by Olusegun Ikuesan)
As part of its preparation for the final round of the 2010 FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men Nigeria DStv Premier League runner-up, Royal Hoopers basketball club was twice better than Bauchi Nets basketball club in a warm-up games played Wednesday and Thursday at the sports hall of the Bauchi Township Stadium.

The Coach Ogoh Odaudu tutored Hoopers who finished second behind Kano Pillars basketball club at the FIBA Africa Zone-3 Qualifiers in Liberia last month.

The team who is currently camping in Kaduna defeated Bauchi Nets by 73-65 points and 80-61 points respectively before returning to Kaduna Thursday evening to continue its build-up to Africa biggest club championship for Men slated for Cotonou, Benin Republic from December 9 through 19.

Coach Odaudu described the two wins over Bauchi Nets as a welcome development for the Port Harcourt-based Nigerian side who will playing at the continent for the first time as making its debut in the Nigeria DStv Premier League in 2009.

After placing fifth twice at the final round of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men Nigeria DStv Premier League and FIBA Africa Zone-3 champion, Kano Pillars basketball club has set a target for itself in the final round of the 2010 edition of the champions cup holding in Cotonou, Benin Republic between December 9 to 19.
Pillars who recently shifted it camping to Kaduna has expressed it readiness to be a title contender when hostilities began next week.
Pillars Head Coach Sani Ahmed told www.fiba-afrique.org on telephone that the team is eyeing to play in the grand finale on December 19.
Our main objective at the moment is to fight for the African title and we know the task involve and we are prepared to give any team a run for their money and talents when the championship gets underway next week.
The players and the management of the team are tired of seeing us finishing fifth everytime and have all join force together to among the title contenders this time.

Primeiro de Agosto is the reigning Africa champion.

By Usher Komugisha

A-1 Challenge has confirmed that centre Elizabeth Bazira, has been ruled out of action for the rest of the post season following a bone dislocation on her wrist during game two against the UCU Lady Canons on Sunday at Lugogo Indoor stadium.

“She means a lot to us as a team and we are surely going to miss her presence and effectiveness on court,” said Carol Mugasha, the A-1 spokesperson.

Bazira, who helped her team oust the defending champions, KCC Leopards in the semi finals playoffs picked 25 rebounds and dropped 26 points in the best-of-five games to show her prowess in the paint.
However, A-1 now has to make sure that the trio of Betty Namukasa, Angella Lokidi and Vicky Nassolo become more effective as they chase the UCU Lady Canons who are leading the best-of-seven series 2-0.
The aggressive centre scored 22 points and also picked 11 rebounds against UCU in the two playoffs finals games.

Mugasha further explains that, “The best we can do now is to win for her.”

“We have no option at this moment but to win game three on Sunday if we want to win this title this year. We dont have to allow them make a come-back,” she said about the next encounter expected to be at Wandegeya.