Basketball in Africa

The South West Regional League of Basketball is glade to have received two important teams from very far distances namely the Bees Basketball Academy from shisong Bui Division North West Region made up of youths and Pamol Basketball club from Ekondo Titi Ndian Division made up of veterans who joined the Sharks from Limbe, the Volcanic Warriors from Buea, the Zion Creekers from Tiko and the Veterans from Buea to celebrate the Race of Hope Basketball Festival Buea 2011. At the Molyko Sports complex Buea.


Irrespective of the Heavy down pure in Buea on the 25/02/2011, all the matches took place.Due to this, the technical team decided to reduce the time of play

Bees from Sheshong 57 # Zion Creekers 35
Volcanic Warriors Basketball Academy 31 # Pamol Lobe 30
Limbe Sharks 36 # Zion Creekers 17
Volcanic Warriors Basketball Academy 22 # Bees from Sheshong 20
Limbe Sharks 38 # Pamol BBC 18
Bees Sheshong 30 # Limbe Sharks 28



After such a great festival of fun, fan fair and games, the regional League and organizers of this festival led by Barrister Shufai Blaise B, Mr Achifon Solomon, Mr Ngoh Kema Ngoh and Mr Ifose Emile Mbella (the Regional League President) thanked all present and greeted the teams promising that the Limbe Sharks, the Volcanic Warrior Basketball Academy and Pamol Lobe Basketball Clubs will make a visit to Kumbo at the shortest possible time.

It should be noted that the delegation from Kumbo was led by, Mr. Ghozhi Clement Founding President, Mr. Edwin Fomonyuy Present President, Patrick Yufenyuy Chilla and Mbinkar Charles, Coaches.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

2009/2010 finalist of the DStv Premier Basketball League Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt will this weekend be in Lagos for a double games against Islanders basketball club on Sunday and Dodan Warriors basketball club on Monday in an Atlantic conference Week-5 pairings.

Hoopers who in Week-4 rumbled over Chariots basketball club of Lagos by 89-38 points at the Civic Centre, Port Harcourt to take it season record to 3-0 and third on the conference standing behind second and first place sides, Dodan Warriors and Comets basketball clubs.

Three games are on the bill in the league this weekend, in the Atlantic conference bottom placed Chariots basketball club will to the court against Union Bank basketball club in a local derby at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos, Savannah conference bottom placed team, Nigeria Immigration basketball club of Kano will be at home to Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos while Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos host Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi on its new home court the gymnasium of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

On Sunday in Kaduna, Savannah conference leader, Kada Stars basketball club will take the floor against defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club in what what is tagged, Star Match of the week.

Both sides are yet to taste the bitter pile of defeat in the ongoing season with Kada leading the conference having played a game more than Pillars, Bauchi Nets basketball club will host Niger Potters basketball club of Minna and on Monday in Lagos Atlantic conference leader, Comets basketball club will host Police Baton in a local derby.

Both Monday games in Lagos Dodan Warriors Vs Royal Hoopers and Comets Vs Police Baton will be live on SuperSport-9.

The South West region had a mini basketball festival. This game was organised by the regional coach Mme Angu Aza Akele consoller. She grouped children from 6 Primary schools around Buea. This took place on Friday 18/02/2011. The Finals took place on Tuesday 22/02/2011.

(by Thomas Fink)
FIVE teams have rejoined the Harare Basketball League, ending a six-month stalemate between the leagues two warring factions. It would appear the prospect of playing international basketball and a rumoured ban on the rebel faction by the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe was the push the five teams Cavaliers, Varsity Leopards, Real Returners, Lakers and Richwood needed to jump ship.

HBA chairman Gilchrist Mageza confirmed the move, highlighting that the return of the teams was a welcome development for basketball. I can now safely confirm that five teams have taken our offer for reunification, he said. Contrary to our previous stipulations the teams have not been asked to pay any penalty fees but have merely been asked to adhere to the rules of the league and simply register.

Despite maintaining an open-door policy, it is highly unlikely that other teams who will come after these five will get the same treatment. The decision on how to handle teams that will rejoin us is now in the hands of congress and we will be guided by its ruling. However, I must say that as HBA we stand ready to welcome any of the so- called rebel teams. The return of Cavaliers, Varsity Leopards, Real Returners, Lakers and Richwood has seen seven new posts being created to accommodate their representatives on the HBA board.

Varsity Leopards Hamilton Mudawarima will now act as women and youth president, while the likes of Abby Govere, Martin Mukwava, Samuel Mutsanga, Charmaine Chamboko, Eric Banda and Philemon Mamvura will act as committee members. Mageza will remain at the helm of the new leadership with Godfrey Chakurangeyi (secretary-general); Tendai Zhakata (competitions commissioner), Tendai Nyagumbo (technical commissioner) and Stewart Charamba (committee member) completing the executive.

Only Beauty Masenda, who resigned from her post in women and youth, has been replaced. The raging HBA dispute erupted in early 2009 when the then outgoing executive led by Roderick Takawira conducted elections, which the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe refused to recognise. BUZ maintained that the HBA executive was supposed to hold the elections only after they had redrafted their constitution to align it with the basketball governing bodys constitution.

BUZ redrafted their constitution and registered it with the Sport and Recreation Commission later that year and all the provinces were supposed to have their constitutions aligned to the mother bodys document. However, the Takawira-led executive ignored the directive and went ahead to hold elections that retained the status quo. Unfazed, BUZ held separate elections that gave birth to the committee led by Mageza.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

Comets basketball club continue its impressive run in the Atlantic conference of the DStv Premier Basketball League crowning a glorious outing against Dodan Warriors basketball club in a local derby in Lagos on Saturday.

Comets and Nigeria national team point guard, Orseer Ikyaator led the former Nigeria league champion challenge with 20 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds as the Coach Ayo Bakare tutored side went past the Warriors in a week-4 pairing of the league with an 83-81 points victory.

The exciting game saw the Comets winning the first and third quarters by 21-20 and 20-17 while it lost the fourth quarter by 24-26 points and even scores in the second quarter by 18 points apiece.

Comets combo-guard Obum Darlington added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, Michael Udo recorded a double double figure of 13 points and 11 rebounds, Comets and Nigeria national team forward Dennis Ebikoro had 13 points and 4 rebounda while Seun Akinwale contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Comets win over the Warriors to maintain its leadership of the Atlantic conference with a 4-1 record.

Dodan Warriors and Nigeria national team guard, Mohammed Bukar led the floor with 22 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds teammates Oladipupo Oshunnubi and Benin Republic import Romaric added 15 and 12 points respectively.

In other games played at the weekend Delta Force basketball club of Asaba recorded its first win of the season with a 73-63 points victory over Chariots basketball club of Lagos at the sports hall of the Asaba Township stadium.

Union Bank basketball club picked an away win over city rival Islanders basketball club in Lagos by 67-47 points. Defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club defeated visiting Bauchi Nets basketball club by 67-31 points in Kano as Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi continue its search for a place in the final-8 playoffs of the 2010/2011 season of the DStv league with a 98-55 points victory over Immigration basketball club of Kano thus pushing the Immigration side further down the ladder of the Savannah conference.

Two more away wins were recorded by Kada Stars basketball club and Plateau Peaks basketball club.

Kada Stars defeated its host Niger Potters basketball club of Minna by 77-72 points to stay top of the Savannah conference just as Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos recorded a 63-59 points win over city rival Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos at the sports hall of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to reknew its final-8 hope.

LILONGWE—Chikondi Mwendera, Weluzani Chingota and Victor Jere used their experience to grind out a Southern Zone Basketball League (Sozobal) 77-68 victory against a resilient Central Zone Basketball League (Cezobal) team in Saturday's Basketball Association of Malawi (Basmal) All Stars game, considered as one of the most competitive season engagement.
Sozobal flowed in their fast break offensive game to find shooting guards Richard Chavula and Hope Chisamanga, who would become the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP), took no prisoners as they both notched double-digit point totals, thanks to penetrative drive-ins and perimeter shooting.

Cezobal’s tenacious point guard Italian national Diego Rangemi, the eventual winner of the three-pointer shoot out competition, was exciting on the spalding ball. Drawing parallels with the legendary John Stockton of the great Utah Jazz, he dished passes and dropped three pointers with precision, sending the fully-packed ABC Macon Gym roaring in excitement.

Daud Suleman showed a few flashes of his old self contributing a significant third quarter three-pointer on top of his 12 points and notably attempting a slum dunk.
Cezobal pressed full court effectively but let up in the fourth quarter. Slum dunk contest winner Vince Mbeule drew defensive attention. He was a handful to deal with on the boards, finishing the evening with eight re-bounds.

The tempo of the game remained high as players for the first time in the annual tournament observed the 24-second shot clock violation rule.
Basketball faithful, however, survived intermittent power supply which interrupted the game.
Basmal vice general secretary Mayeso Chirwa, who led the organising committee, was pleased with the tournament.
"Without outside funding we had to unconventionally make this tournament happen," he told Maravipost.com. "Members of the committee used personal resources to stage the games; we had to think outside the box."
Chirwa also thanked the fans for agreeing to a K200 gate fee.
"They contributed to meeting costs of making this tournament a success, they love the game and there are no better terms of making that clear," he said.
All the three participating teams were decorated with medals while the MVP and the winning team received trophies. The MVP and the two skill challenge contest winners went home with K5, 000 each.
Three fans left the gym with FIBA basketballs won in a Basmal raffle prize draw.
In the day's earlier fixtures an improving Northern Zone Basketball League lost 91-63 to Cezobal and 77-58 to Sozobal.
The tourney was graced by former City Rockets player and celebrated radio personality Davies Mussa, aka Ada D.E. who accepted the honour of handing out medals to the runner up team.

An Area 47 resident Suzgo Banda, who watched the final game, wondered whether the talent he saw was the same that lost all games at the Afrobasket Tournament in South Africa only a few weeks ago.
"Tell me it's a different team, surely these boys can beat Zambia and Zimbabwe any day," he said.

Earlier, Basmal president Oscar Kanjala, officials, zone representatives, coaches and players donated a basketball and food items to Area 23's Children with Hope and Destiny (CHD) which has 28 children.
"We thought basketball players meet on the court and it ends there, we are very humbled with this gesture," said CHD's head Samuel Kayuni.--maravipost

•As Warriors beat Delta 87-57

Dodan Warriors basketball club of Lagos combo guard, Oladipupo Oshunnubi scored a league high of 31 points to help his side secure an 87-57 points victory over Delta Force basketball club of Asaba in an Atlantic conference pairing of the DStv Premier Basketball League at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

Dodan Warriors won three of the four quarters to further compounded the woes of the Asaba-base Force who has now lost all four league games it has played so far this season – 18-07, 25-13, 15-18, 29-19.

Warriors guard, Mohammed Bukar added 14 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steal for the Warriors third staright win to lead the Atlantic conference.

Delta Force guard, Mudiaga Oyubu led his team in scoring with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals while Joseph Ovra posted a double double of 11 rebounds and 10 points.

Newly promoted Kano-based Nigeria Immigration have yet to win a game in the Savannah Conference of the DStv Premier Basketball League, prompting speculation they might not survive the big league's heat, but player Nosa Omorogbe Jnr believes they will survive relegation at the end of the season.

The 21-year-old believes that while they are going through trying times, it's too early to write the club off and there are enough games to turn things around.
Nigeria Immigration currently lie bottom of the table with an 0-3 mark in the Savannah conference. They face Yelwa Hawks of Bauchi in Sunday's week 4 fixtures.
Only renewed efforts could see them avoid being relegated from the tough league and that is exactly what they intend on doing for the rest of the season.
Nigeria Immigration's players and coaching staff have resolved to put in extra work in an attempt to ensure the club survive the tough terrain of the Nigeria DStv Premier which he described as one of the toughest in Africa.
The point guard want his team-mates to see what the club is going through at the moment as its first baptism of fire in the big league after gaining promotion from the National Division One in Kaduna last year.
Omorogbe Jnr, who played a prominent role in Immigration's promotion, has promised to put more work to see that the team's losing streak stops.
He has had stints with such notable clubs in the Nigeria League as Dodan Warriors, Kano Pillars and Nigeria Customs and has also played in Bulgaria's Pro A1 league with CSKA Sofia.

Olusegun Ikuesan

FIBA

FIVE teams have rejoined the Harare Basketball League, ending a six-month stalemate between the leagues two warring factions. It would appear the prospect of playing international basketball and a rumoured ban on the rebel faction by the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe was the push the five teams Cavaliers, Varsity Leopards, Real Returners, Lakers and Richwood needed to jump ship.

HBA chairman Gilchrist Mageza confirmed the move, highlighting that the return of the teams was a welcome development for basketball. I can now safely confirm that five teams have taken our offer for reunification, he said. Contrary to our previous stipulations the teams have not been asked to pay any penalty fees but have merely been asked to adhere to the rules of the league and simply register.

Despite maintaining an open-door policy, it is highly unlikely that other teams who will come after these five will get the same treatment. The decision on how to handle teams that will rejoin us is now in the hands of congress and we will be guided by its ruling. However, I must say that as HBA we stand ready to welcome any of the so- called rebel teams. The return of Cavaliers, Varsity Leopards, Real Returners, Lakers and Richwood has seen seven new posts being created to accommodate their representatives on the HBA board.

Varsity Leopards Hamilton Mudawarima will now act as women and youth president, while the likes of Abby Govere, Martin Mukwava, Samuel Mutsanga, Charmaine Chamboko, Eric Banda and Philemon Mamvura will act as committee members. Mageza will remain at the helm of the new leadership with Godfrey Chakurangeyi (secretary-general); Tendai Zhakata (competitions commissioner), Tendai Nyagumbo (technical commissioner) and Stewart Charamba (committee member) completing the executive.

Only Beauty Masenda, who resigned from her post in women and youth, has been replaced. The raging HBA dispute erupted in early 2009 when the then outgoing executive led by Roderick Takawira conducted elections, which the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe refused to recognise. BUZ maintained that the HBA executive was supposed to hold the elections only after they had redrafted their constitution to align it with the basketball governing bodys constitution.

BUZ redrafted their constitution and registered it with the Sport and Recreation Commission later that year and all the provinces were supposed to have their constitutions aligned to the mother bodys document. However, the Takawira-led executive ignored the directive and went ahead to hold elections that retained the status quo. Unfazed, BUZ held separate elections that gave birth to the committee led by Mageza.

Abundant Life Christian Centre (ALCC) have a tough tie ahead of them when they take on high riding Kings Basketball Club in a Bulawayo Basketball Association (BBA) league match at Bulawayo Club for the Disabled on Saturday. Kings top the log standings with 19 points from 10 matches while ALCC are sixth with 14 points from the same number of matches. Kings were lucky to escape with a victory after a tight contest against Oilers whom they eventually beat 34-31 in their last league match.

Garikai Gumbo, Kevin Manyengere and Benjamin Jani are some of the players ALCC are advised to watch. ALCC has Honest Nguruve, Moses Tigere and Cravin Mathonisa amongst other players to rely on. In another match lined up for the day, second-placed Giants take on fourth-placed Oilers. Mpumelelo Hlabangana will be seeking to continue from where he left off after he scored a crucial 36 points for Giants against Stars. William Muchuchuti and Lionel Wolfeden are some of the players Oilers will bank on.

BBA spokesperson Charles Ndlovu said the match between Giants and Oilers is likely to be very exciting. In the womens category, log leaders Lakers Seniors take on Highlanders

africabasket.com

Coach Michel Malbrook’s Anse Etoile Stars (women) and Baya (men) started last season with wins in the Curtain-raiser tournament, but they face stiff opposition on the way to the finals this time.

With Malagasy Miantratsiory Rakotomahadimby leading all scores with 19 points, including two 3-pointers in last year’s final which they won 71-32 against HotShots to retain the title, the Stars will face the same Anse Boileau-based team in the semifinal stage tomorrow. The match will start at 5pm at the Mont Fleuri court.

While the Stars were drawn straight into the semis, HotShots had no trouble outscoring Cadettes by 104 points – 116-12 in their first match.

Playing without suspended centre Tina Agathine and player of the year 2009 Myra Solin, HotShots were no match for the Stars who dominated throughout, winning all four quarters – 21-4, 17-9, 14-7 and 19-12 – in the 2010 final.

The other semifinal on Saturday at 9am at the same venue is between RA Sisters and Mont Fleuri, who dispatched Juniors 63-36 in the earlier round.

The winners of the two semifinals will meet in the final on Sunday at 3pm at the Mont Fleuri court.

In the men’s competition, defending champions Baya will come up against last year’s league and cup double winners PLS Hawks in the quarterfinal, scheduled to tip off at 12 noon on Saturday.

Captain Robert Léon had the hot hands for Baya with 27 points, Michael Cupidon added 17 and Hendricks Denis got 12 in coach Malbrook’s team’s 78-77 victory over Premium Cobras, whom they dethroned in last year’s men’s Curtain-raiser final.

It was Denis who gave his team victory at 78-77 with a shot from the stripe, but he almost committed suicide when he threw an air-ball with 3.5 seconds left and although James Beier caught the ball on a fast break, he could not beat the buzzer.

Baya enjoyed a 97-65 win over Juniors in their first match to set up the mouth-watering encounter with the Hawks, who eliminated fellow first divisioners Mont Fleuri Dawgz 63-50. The winners will move to the semifinal, where they will play Cascade Bullets who collected victories against Drifters (74-55 in the first round) and Razors (62-30 in the quarterfinal).

The other two quarterfinal match-ups are Angels v RC Dynamics and MBU Rockers v Premium Cobras.

Anse Boileau-based Angels steamrollered inexperienced Cadets 195-16, RC Dynamics beat Beau Vallon Heat 64-40, MBU Rockers did not break sweat as they walked over AAP Brothers and Premium Cobras pummelled Anse Etoile 122-45.

The men’s final is on Sunday at 4.30pm at the Mont Fleuri court.

By Ostine Arinaitwe

AFTER a commanding display in the just ended Zone 5 basketball championship, Vaceslav Kavedzija and his guns have switched their focus to the Fiba-Afrobasket tournament slated for August in Ivory Coast.

Following Egypt’s last minute withdraw, Rwanda’s men side had a smooth run after comfortable victories against Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

Their female counterparts had a similar run against Ethiopia, Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda but had to dig deep before seeing off Kenya. Victory meant that both sides not only qualified for the 10th All Africa Games slated for September in Mozambique but also the Afrobasket tournament which attracts Africa’s top sides like Angola, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali, Central African Republic, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco among others.

The national basketball federation (Ferwaba) technical director Shema Maboko does not disagree about the fact that the team will have to dig deep in the competition.

“We expect much stronger teams in the All Africa Games and Afrobasket tournament so the team should not rest on the laurels but instead continue working hard,” Maboko, who is also a FIBA certified umpire said.

This year’s All Africa Games will take place in Maputo-Mozambique from September 3-18.

KIGALI (FIBA Africa Championship) - No Kenyan teams will be taking part in the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship following the teams' losses to Rwanda in the Zone Five qualifiers in Kigali over the weekend.

The men's side suffered a heavy defeat 74-46 to hosts Rwanda, who will proceed to their third tournament in Ivory Coast later this year. Kenya last participated in this event in Nairobi in 1993. The defeat also cost them an Pan African Games ticket.
In a game that failed to live up to expectations, Kenya trailed 14-19 in the first quarter but did put up a brave fight in a low scoring second quarter that saw the Rwandans maintain a slim advantage.
But after the break, the home side completely bossed the game, taking the third and fourth quarters by emphatic 21-13 and 24-11 scorelines.
Peter Kiganya continued his good form leading Kenya scoring 11 points while Ancette Wafula made 10.
Kiganya, who led the team in scoring in all their four games, had on the previous day made 20 points in their win over Burundi 72-63.

On their side, the Kenyan women's team also fell to the Rwandese, narrowly losing 57-54 thereby handing the hosts their first continental championship appearance as they booked their tickets for Mali.
Kenya got off to a shaky first quarter trailing 13-19 but still was in the game. In the second, they recovered and pulled away 12-8 and hung with a 18-15 cushion in the third.
But Kenya were unable to exert enough pressure as Rwanda charged back and tied the scores 54-54 with 46 seconds before sinking a game-winning three pointer in the decissive last quarter.
Red hot Angela Okoth was the player of the match despite getting little offensive support from the rest of team, she poured in tournament high 32 points. It was the third time in a row Kenya has now lost to Rwanda in Kigali.

In their penultimate fixture, Kenya crushed Ethiopia 93-59 with the lethal Okoth connecting another game-high of 27 points, Silalei Agalo nailed 16 while Achieng had 15.

FIBA

Police Baton basketball club on Sunday ended their three-week winless streak with a 71-59 point win over Chariots basketball club in a local derby in Lagos.

Baton opened the game with a 20-15 first quarter, but the Chariots fought back in the second, which they took 17-12 to square things up at half time. After the break, Police Baton pulled away, never looking back as they pocketed the third and fourth quarters 24-19 and 15-08.

Police Baton's Kelvin Dandison led the floor with 22 points and four rebounds, forward Williams Malu added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Chariots veteran forward Anthony Fela-Thomas led his team with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Cameroonian import Yannick Yvon contributed 17 while Ibrahim Apata added 13 points and six rebounds.

Igben double double earns Union Bank victory

Union Bank basketball club of Lagos forward Godspower Igben was in superb form Friday when he posted a double double of 17 points and 13 rebounds to help his side ran ring round over visiting Delta Force basketball club of Asaba in an Atlantic conference week-three game of the Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League.

Union bank came out the stronger and comfortably took the first three quarters as their superior experience and strength showed. The game was won by the time Delta began to compete on the court in the fourth, during which they would nevertheless fall shy of a point.

The result made tough reading for Delta, with the scoreboard displaying a 87-46 scoreline.

Union Bank join Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt and Dodan Warriors basketball club of Lagos as the only teams in the Atlantic conference to maintain a hundred percent record.

Joining Igben on the scorer sheet are guard, Seyi Ayodele who gave a splendid performance scoring 16 points giving 10 assists and 2 steal; forward Williams Ndounmbe added 14 points, four rebounds, while former Delta Force small forward, Francis Chris contributed 13 points, six rebounds.

Delta Force basketball club duo of Timi Ekiyegha and Ejovi Obukohwo recorded 14 and 11 points respectively.

Dodan Warriors basketball club of Lagos combo guard, Oladipupo Oshunnubi scored a league high of 31 points to help his side secure an 87-57 points victory over Delta Force basketball club of Asaba in an Atlantic conference pairing of the DStv Premier Basketball League at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

Dodan Warriors won three of the four quarters to further compounded the woes of the Asaba-base Force who has now lost all four league games it has played so far this season.

Warriors guard, Mohammed Bukar added 14 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds for the Warriors' third staright win to lead the Atlantic conference.

Delta Force guard, Mudiaga Oyubu led his team in scoring with 17 points and 6 rebounds while Joseph Ovra posted a double double of 11 rebounds and 10 points.

Kada Stars remain on top in Savannah

Four games were decided in the Savannah conference over the weekend with red-hot Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna making mince meat of Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos.

The week-3 pairing which was decided Sunday at the sports hall of the Murtala Muhammed Sports Complex, Kaduna saw the Coach Sani Turi tutored Kada Stars posting a centenary points of 109-66 points to remain top of the conference.

Defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club defeated Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi by 70-54 points, Bauchi Nets basketball club humble Immigration basketball club of Kano by 56-49 points while Niger Potters basketball club of Minna lost at home to visitor Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos by 61-65 points

Week-3 results

Atlantic conference:
Union Bank 87-46 Delta Force
Dodan Warriors 87-57 Delta Force
Police Baton 71-59 Chariots

Savannah conference:
Bauchi Nets 56-49 Immigration
Kano Pillars 70-54 Yelwa Hawks
Kada Stars 109-66 Tapgun Rockets
Niger Potters 61-65 Plateau Peaks

By: Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA

Results
Men: Kenya 72 – 63 Burundi
Tanzania56-58Burundi
Kenya 46-74 Rwanda
Women:
Ethiopia59- 93 Kenya
Burundi 89- 47 Tanzania
Uganda 59- 74 Rwanda
Ethiopia 49-101 Burundi
Uganda64-33Tanzania
Kenya 54-57 Rwanda

The Uganda women’s team outdid their male counterparts by chalking up two victories at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship that ended on Saturday night in Kigali, Rwanda.

The women beat Tanzania 64-33 on the final day to make it two triumphs in what has been a tough tournament for Uganda. Coming just one day after her 26 points couldn’t rescue Uganda from a 74-59 loss to hosts and eventual champions Rwanda, Maureen Amoding dropped another 24 to defeat Tanzania.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

Dodan Warriors basketball club of Lagos combo guard, Oladipupo Oshunnubi scored a league high of 31 points to help his side secure an 87-57 points victory over Delta Force basketball club of Asaba in an Atlantic conference pairing of the DStv Premier Basketball League at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

Dodan Warriors won three of the four quarters to further compounded the woes of the Asaba-base Force who has now lost all four league games it has played so far this season 18-07, 25-13, 15-18, 29-19.

Warriors guard, Mohammed Bukar added 14 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steal for the Warriors third staright win to lead the Atlantic conference.

Delta Force guard, Mudiaga Oyubu led his team in scoring with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals while Joseph Ovra posted a double double of 11 rebounds and 10 points.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

Union Bank basketball club of Lagos forward Godspower Igben was in superb form Friday when he posted a double double of 17 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists to help his side ran ring round over visiting Delta Force basketball club of Asaba in an Atlantic conference week-3 game of the Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League.

Union Bank BC opened the week-3 pairing with a 25-10 points lead in the first quarter, but the Delta Force players fought back spiritedly in the second quarter forcing their more experience and bigger opponent to make mistake but still went down to the Lagos side by 14-11 points.

The Coach Ayinla Johnson tutored Union Bank side dominated proceeding in the third quarter winning by 24-02 points, the fought quarter proved the most exciting of all the quarters as both side matched each other offensively and defensively but Union Bank BC emerged the lucky side winning by a narrow margin of 24-23 points for a cumulative score-line of 87-46 points to join Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt and Dodan Warriors basketball club of Lagos as the only teams in the Atlantic conference to maintain an hundred percent record.

Joining Igben on the scorer sheet are guard, Seyi Ayodele who gave a splendid performance scoring 16 points giving 10 assists and 2 steal; forward Williams Ndounmbe added 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while former Delta Force small forward, Francis Chris contributed 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steal.

Delta Force basketball club duo of Timi Ekiyegha and Ejovi Obukohwo recorded 14 and 11 points respectively.

Team Uganda’s results
Uganda 87-48 Tanzania
Burundi 72-70 Uganda
Uganda 76-89 Rwanda
Uganda 61-76 Kenya

One of Team Uganda’s biggest fears prior to the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali over the past seven days, was size. With Henry Malinga, Uganda’s most experienced centre player skipping the showpiece through injury, there were fears that the men’s team would find difficulty in the paint against much bigger opponents.

Sunday Monitor’s Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo covered the tournament and found out that size was not Uganda’s undoing at all. Players and coaches take a share of carrot and stick as the team recorded only one win in four games. Below, Kigongo dishes out marks to all the team members.

Norman Blick (6/10)
He can be loved and loathed in equal measure in just one transition due to inconsistency. It was tough to explain why Norman Blick failed to trouble the scoreboard against Kenya and then exploded with 30 points in the 76-89 loss to hosts Rwanda. Playing with a wound on one of his knees, Blick ran the wings impressively and instigated good fast breaks whenever he picked a rebound. However, whenever the lane was shut down, Blick struggled to score and turned the ball on more occasions than any other player.

Jimmy Enabu (2/10) and Boniface Okello (3/10)
The duo of Jimmy Enabu and Boniface Okello hardly lasted on the floor. The latter brought intensity in defence in spite of not offering much in offense. Jimmy must have been on the team as part of his learning process. Even for the few minutes he got, Jimmy was timid and missed too many shots that he would ordinarily convert against any team here. Sitting on the bench too long rendered him cold.

Isaac Afidra (4/10)
When will the real Isaac Afidra, who was the league’s top scorer two years ago, return? Afidra failed to convert so many of his shots from downtown and ended up with only two figures above 10 points in two games. Even the astute defensive play for which is known was missing. It’s surprising that this is the first time Afidra played for the national team because private engagements have always kept him away. He owes this team from now.

Ben Komakech (6/10)
Aristide Mugabe, a point guard with the Rwandan national team, didn’t like what he saw in Ben Komakech in the 61-75 defeat to Kenya. Mugabe was right though he stretched it too far in saying that the play-offs MVP is poor at managing the ball. Appointed assistant captain, Komakech is supposed to act as a bridge between the present and the future.
This wasn’t one of those dominant weeks for the two-time MVP but he did his job gracefully though. Just like the entire team, he struggled to drive the ball into the heart of the opposition’s defensive wall.

Eric Malinga (4/10)
Hats off for you Eric Malinga. He decided to endure 13 hours of travel for the event just after his mother was laid to rest. Only joined the team in time for the second game against Burundi but was ready to play. When asked about his physical shape, he responded: “there is not time to feel tired.” The exhaustion told as he only came to life in scoring 13 points and eight rebounds in the final game against Tanzania. He actually endured a headache and fever to play for his country.

Edwin Kateregga (6/10)
Perhaps, the next big thing for Ugandan basketball will be found in Edwin Kateregga. Faced with experienced Kenyan centre Peter Kiganya, Kateregga’s attitude showed in standing straight up and not folding. He won the trust of coach Gad Eteu and in the process started each and every game. Despite being a rookie, only Stephen Omony and Norman Blick played more minutes. The next step for Kateregga will be the most important.

Ivan Enabu (2/10)
Renowned for dazzling opponents in the local league, Ivan Enabu barely showed up. It took him three games to dribble past an opponent. There was every reason to think that the technical team requested the 2005 Zone V MVP to play for the team which curtailed him though management denies such a thing happened. But every good team is built on individuals using their natural abilities.

Stephen Omony (7/10)
For over a decade now, Stephen Omony remains the country’s most reliable source of not only points but inspiration.
When everyone folded, Omony stood tall to threaten the Kenyans with 29 points. His appointment as captain is not debatable. Even when Omony had a bad shooting game like against Rwanda, he still managed 13 points. If consistency had a synonym, it would Omony. You cannot stop imagining what would have happened if only Komakech, Joseph Ikong and Blick had shared only 20 points against Kenya.

Joseph Ikong (3/10)
Being the national league top scorer, Joseph Ikong was widely expected to dominate the statistics sheets. Spending most of his time on the bench hindered his contribution but there is no place to hide for scoring only 11 points in four games. At some point, he looked to be suffering from stage fright. Ikong looked good in the transitions and even made two dunks for his first points in the tournament. However, the guard’s shooting is still as suspect as ever.

Robert Mubiru (5/10) and Brian Ssentogo (6/10)
Despite both being enigmatic ball handlers, Robert Mubiru and Brian Ssentogo are every bit developing quite nicely into their roles as big men. The centres showed immense aggression in defence but lacked the bite to contribute offensively when the team desperately needed them. Mubiru and Ssentogo also missed several free throws that could have made some of the losing margins smaller. Their biggest undoing was getting too excited in key moments.

Coaches (5/10)
The old adage goes; players win games while coaches lose them. This episode left men’s coaches Eteu and Timothy Odeke with no place to hide at all especially as the team squandered a 30-point lead to lose 72-70 to Burundi. For this game, the rotation of players was wanting when Uganda established a huge lead. The crux upon which the lead was built stayed on the court too long without being given a breather and ran out of lungs for the final kick. In a tournament where coaches select 12 players, they all ought to get the benefit of the doubt. Uganda relied on quick transition basketball thanks to six of the players featuring for national basketball league champions DMark Power.

On most occasions, the coaches lacked a plan B when the opposition opted for a zonal defence. Similarly, throughout the four games, the coaches found it hard to give everyone a chance. It almost emerged that there was a chosen group of eight to carry Uganda’s cross.

It was too heavy at times and they needed support. Nonetheless, before there is mad rush to apportion blame, it’s also imperative to understand that the coaches were only given a few weeks to do their work. In a country with limited facilities and even less coaches, players often find themselves not learning so much about the game beyond dribbling. Physicality, shooting and the game reading of individual players remain the biggest Achilles heel.

By CAXTON APOLLO

Kenya’s men’s and women’s national basketball teams were locked out of the Africa Nations Cup and All Africa Games competitions after they lost to hosts Rwanda in decisive matches of the Zone Five qualifiers in Kigali on Saturday night.

After 17 years of waiting, Kenya’s men’s side will have to wait longer for continental action after the much improved Rwanda clobbered them 74-46.
Both teams had tied on six points in the five-team tournament, leaving their closing game to determine the winner.
Strongman Peter Kiganya and Ancette Wafula were restricted to 11 points and 10 respectively.
The victory earned Rwanda a ticket to both the Nations Cup and All Africa Games.

In the women’s decisive match, Kenya’s chances also went up in smoke when Rwanda beat them 57-54 in a hard-fought tie.
The teams had locked on eight points each and their last fixture of the six-team tournament was to separate them.
With 46 seconds left, the score stood at 54-54 with Rwanda winning on a tie breaking three-pointer shot.
Unbeaten Rwanda amassed 10 points while Kenya were runners-up on nine points.
But Kenya had already qualified for the All Africa Games after having finished among the five top teams at the last games in Algiers.
But Kenya will now miss out of the Nations Cup in which they finished second to hosts Senegal in 1992 to qualify for the World Championships for the first time.

Men:
Uganda87-48 Tanzania
Women:
Kenya72-32 Tanzania
Today – Zone V
Men:
Kenya v Rwanda (7pm)
Tanzaniav Burundi (3pm)
Women:
Kenya v Rwanda(5pm)
Uganda v Tanzania (1pm)
Ethiopia v Burundi (11am)

Just when Ugandan players were faced with a repeat of history, they found the right gear to thrash Tanzania 87-48 at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship at Amahoro Stadium gymnasium in Kigali, Rwanda.

That victory on Thursday night ensured that Uganda won a game at the biennial event having failed to register such a result when the tournament was hosted by Rwanda two years ago. The men’s rode on the back of a complete dominance of the board to pick 47 rebounds as opposed to Tanzania’s 30.

As captain, Stephen Omony led from the front with 23 points and seven rebounds before sitting out the entire fourth quarter. It was over before it even started with Uganda cruising through the four periods 18-8, 23-14, 14-10 and 32-16 respectively against the smaller Tanzanians.

Eric Malinga scored 13 points and eight rebounds to crown a tournament where many players wore black armbands to mourn the death of his mother last week. Isaac Afidra (10) too finally shed some skin following a dismal showing curtailed by minimal playing time. The Uganda women’s team faces Tanzania on the final day of the competition this evening. Kenya and Rwanda will fight for the lone men’s and women’s qualifications slots for the Afrobasket and All Africa Games.

By Ostine Arinaitwe

Yesterday

Women
Ethiopia 59- 93 Kenya
Burundi 89- 47 Tanzania
Uganda 59- 74 Rwanda

Men
Kenya 72 – 63 Burundi
Today (Amahoro Stadium)

Women
Ethiopia vs Burundi 10:00 am
Uganda vs Tanzania 12:00pm
Tanzania vs Burundi (men) 2:00pm
Kenya vs Rwanda (women) 4:00pm
Kenya vs Rwanda (men) 6:00pm

RWANDA’s national women team yesterday produced a magnificent performance to edge over a determined Ugandan side after a 74-59 win in the penultimate match of the Zone five qualifiers.

The women’s team entertains Kenya this afternoon with high hopes of finishing the tournament unbeaten after wins over Tanzania, Burundi and Ethiopia.

In the other matches Ethiopia (women) was defeated 93-59 by Kenya, while Tanzania got a 89-47 thrashing from Burundi. Kenya saw off Burundi 72-63 in the only men’s match played yesterday.

Meanwhile the men’s team will be looking to get a 100% record in the tournament when they play Kenya this evening in the last game of the Zone five qualifiers.
The team posted convincing wins over Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia and Coach Vaceslav Kavedzija will be confident of a repeat performance.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

After suffering a home lose to Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna, Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi bounces back to handed visiting Niger Potters basketball club of Minna 68-50 points defeat in a mid-week Savannah conference pairing of the DStv Premier Basketball League.

The Hawks who narrowly missed the final-8 playoffs looked good from the blast of the referees whistle against the visiting Potters who picked an away win last weekend when it defeated Immigration basketball club of Kano by 61-58 points.

The win for the Hawks thus bring their record to a 1-1 record to move to the second spot of the conference behind conference leader, Kada Stars basketball club who has won two away games (Vs Immigration 85-44 and Yelwa Hawks 73-70).

Yelwa Hawks will have its hands full this weekend when it pay a visit to the home court of defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club in Kano, Potters will have a feel of its refurbished home court when it hosted Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos on Sunday in Minna.

Bauchi Nets basketball club will be at home to Immigration basketball club of Kano at the Multipurpose hall of the Bauchi Township Stadium on Saturday while the last week-3 pairing of the Savannah conference will be between conference leader, Kada Stars and Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos in Kaduna.

In the Atlantic conference, Union Bank basketball club of Lagos will host Delta Force basketball club of Asaba at the national stadium, Lagos; Dodan Warriors basketball club will do battle against the Delta Force side in their double road game to Lagos on Saturday.

There will be two local dernies to round off the week-3 games of the Atlantic conference as Police Baton takes on Chariots basketball club as both sides struggle to make an impact in the league, the game hold Sunday while two former champions of the league Islanders basketball club will engage Comets basketball club on Monday.

By Ismail D. Kigongo

Wednesday results
Men
Rwanda 89-76 Uganda
Kenya 61-56 Tanzania
Women
Kenya 69-31 Burundi
Uganda 32-68 Kenya
Today
Men: Kenya v Burundi
Women
Uganda v Rwanda (5:30pm)
Burundi v Tanzania (5pm)
Ethiopia v Kenya (3pm)

For a moment, Rwandans forgot which team to celebrate with when the final whistle went following their team’s 89-76 victory over Uganda at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship.

Some made their way from the stands to the floor of the buzzing Amahoro Stadium gymnasium and wanted to give congratulatory hangs to the Ugandan team.

Those who succeeded in making it to floor were quick to point out that Uganda’s No. 4 – Norman Blick – lit up their Wednesday night.

The utility player’s game-high 30 points and seven rebounds epitomised the fighting spirit of a team that appeared lifeless in losses to Kenya and Burundi.
Something that greatly lacked then was evident as Rwanda were restricted to under 90 points for the first time in the tournament.

“There is got to be realism in what we expect from the team. Players need exposure and more time to play together,” men’s coach Gad Eteu told Daily Monitor.

Blick had able company in Ben Komakech (16) and captain Stephen Omony (11).
The first quarter was evenly contested 19-19. The hosts took charge from then on to take the subsequent two periods 23-13 and 22-17 respectively. Uganda nicked the ultimate period 27-25 but could not pull off a surprise victory.

Uganda played with desire to reduce the damage of American-Rwandan Mathew Miller (23), Congolese-born Kami Kabange (20) and former Australian Robert Thompson (18).

The expensively assembled Rwandese team made 21 of their 29 free throw attempts as opposed to Uganda managing only three of 10 which proved the difference. The Ugandan female players cheered on to wash away the pain of losing 32-68 to Kenya in the earlier game.

By Charles Mutebi in Kigali

KENYA’s strength and experience turned Uganda’s passionate resistance into a joke to register a thumping 68-32 win in the women’s category at the Zone Five All Nations Qualifier in Kigali yesterday.

The talented Maureen Amoding dropped a team-high 12 points but her effort were much too small in the avalanche that was a ruthless Kenya.

The result ended what little hope Uganda had of clinching a top two finish that would have had them qualify for the continental championship.

Uganda had already lost to Burundi and still have to play hosts and unbeatable favourites Rwanda.

There was, of course, only faint hope of this young Uganda side claiming a ticket for the African championship but there was hope that it would offer a glimpse of their potential.

Not on yesterday’s performance.

After a valiant first half display in which Uganda scored 23 to Kenya’s 44, they collapsed in the third quarter, failing to score in the entire period.

Today
Women: Kenya v Tanzania (5pm)
Friday
Men: Uganda v Tanzania (7pm)
Result (Tuesday)
Men: Rwanda 103-60 Tanzania

If collapse was to be miss-spelt, it may as well be written as Uganda national men’s basketball team.

Tuesday night’s performance at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali brought pain that tears couldn’t wash away.

Unimaginable, deplorable, shameful and unbelievable can best describe the mood within the team following a 72-70 loss to Burundi.

Knowing that Burundi are a running team, Uganda countered by playing a high tempo game from the start. It paid instant dividends with coach Gad Eteu’s team taking a 26-9 first quarter lead.

What happened thereafter is perhaps the biggest scandal. With 7.03 minutes on the clock, this lead had bludgeoned to 30 (40-10). Five Ugandans in the stands roared their voices hoarse to no avail as things went haywire. “How? How did that happen? Seriously, there is no way in explaining this,” vice-captain Ben Komakech told Daily Monitor. He was only echoing the thinking throughout the 34-man contingent.

Burundi retreated to zonal defence to limit Uganda’s scoring options to clinch the subsequent three quarters 23-15, 26-14 and 15-12.

Keen to erase his non-scoring nightmare against Kenya on Monday, Norman Blick shone with 16 points and five rebounds but his eight turnovers betrayed him greatly. Those eight were the biggest in the team’s haul of 28 turnovers that gifted Burundi 21 steals. Having squandered the game, coach Eteu called a time-out with two seconds left as the latter led 72-70.

From the inbound, point guard Ben Komakech (17 points) passed the ball to Stephen Omony (20). He made a desperate three-pointer that ended up as an air ball for the Burundians to make mission impossible possible. Yet to claim victory this time, Uganda face Tanzania tomorrow fighting a bad slice of history after failing to win a game at the last event two years ago. The event is also a qualifier for the Afrobasket and All Africa Games later this year.

Results

Men

Tanzania 51-54 Kenya
Rwanda 89-76 Uganda
(19-19, 23-13, 22-17, 25-27)

Women

Kenya 64-32 Uganda
Ethiopia 53- 55 Tanzania
Rwanda 83-53 Burundi

Today’s games

Men

Uganda vs Tanzania 3:30 (Amahoro Stadium)

Women
Kenya vs Tanzania 5:30
(Amahoro Stadium)

RWANDA took their winning streak in the on-going Zone V Basketball Championship to three games after yesterday’s 89-76 victory over Uganda at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

Compared to the first two games, Uganda proved a hard nut to crack. The first quarter ended 19-19 but the hosts recovered well to win the second quarter 23-13.

They increased the lead to 15 points after claiming the third quarter 22-17. Uganda fought back in the final quarter 27-25 but it was a little too late for a meaningful resurgence.

Mathew Miller was by far Rwanda’s best player with 23 points and five assists. Kami Kabange scored 20 points while Hamza Ruhezamihigo and Robert Thomson weighed in with 16 and 18 points respectively.

Uganda‘s Norman Blick Billal scored a game high 30 points but it was a little too late for a meaningful resurgence.
In the other day’s matches, Kenya’s men side edged Tanzania 54-51.

In the women category, Rwanda maintained their 100 percent record after thrashing Burundi 83-53. Tanzania and Kenya were also on the winning end after trouncing Ethiopia (55-53) and Uganda (64-32) respectively
Today, two games are on cards.

Uganda entertains Tanzania in the men’s category while Kenya clash with Tanzania in the women fray.

By DAILY NEWS

TANZANIA got their campaign at the ongoing Zone V basketball championship off to a false start after the women’s team succumbed to a heavy 94-30 defeat at the hands of host Rwanda.

According to the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) General Secretary, Alexander Msoffe, who accompanied the team in Kigali, the local queens had a slow start to the game at Amahoro Indoor Stadium and the Rwandese commanded the game from all angles leaving the local team picking up in a snail speed which trailed by 65-21 at the breather.

The local queens could not recover in the final two quarters and had no answers to their opponent’s fast game.

The hosts added 29 points against 9 managed by the Tanzanian ladies and had all the reason to celebrate their second win after Monday’s 98-53 of Ethiopia.

Msoffe conceded the ladies were completely off-form yesterday and attributed it to fatigue after travelling a long journey from Dar es Salaam to Kigali, Rwanda by bus, arriving in Rwanda on Monday evening.

Their male counterparts were playing as Rwanda outclassed Burundi in their opening match on Monday with a convincing 98-60 win.

It was a forgettable and painful opening day for Ugandans too at the Championship after their men and women teams lost their opening matches.
The men’s team ran out of steam in the final quarter to lose to Kenya 61-76 whereas the women recovered from a slow start but it was too late to hold off Burundi, who won 73-69.
Captain Stephen Omony’s game-high 29 points and 10 rebounds failed to rescue Uganda, who had limited scoring options with five of the 12 not troubling the scorer.
Having fallen behind in the first period 24-19, Uganda played with great intensity in defence
when Boniface Okello was introduced to take the next 15-14 before Kenya nicked the third 17-16.
An expected photo-finish didn’t materialize with the latter cruising through the ultimate quarter 21- 11.
Norman Blick, Joseph Ikong, Ivan Enabu and Ben Komakech didn’t score at all in a combined 63 minutes on the floor.
Forward Isaac Afidra (12) was the only other player to breach the 10-point barrier. “Inconsistency really hurt us. I am confident we can bounce back if our guards come to the party,” coach Gad Eteu said.
Though the Kenyans were slightly bigger, Uganda edged the board contest 43-42 but found no answers to experienced centre Peter Kiganya (25-13).
Centre Robert Mubiru thrilled in bits for his eight points and six rebounds. His understudies Brian Ssentogo (4-3) and Edwin Kateregga (5-2) need to step up.

There was no respite for the women even though guard Maureen Amoding came off the bench
to score a team-high 23 points.

By Charles Mutebi in Kigali

IT wasn’t fear but raw admiration that swept across the faces of Ugandan players as they watched their Rwandese counterparts put on basketball clinics at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday.

Today, the Ugandan men must somehow convert that adoration into competitive fire when they take on the overwhelming favourites of Zone Five All Africa Nations Qualifiers.

Rwanda’s men and women teams underlined their superiority with blowouts of 30 plus against Burundi and Ethiopia respectively –– a needless reminder to the rest of the tournament that they occupy a higher planet.

Uganda know they will need something special to bridge the gap and avoid what looks like an inevitable humiliation.
Mercifully, in Steven Omony the Uganda men’s team have a captain with the defiance of a mule.
He watched Rwanda’s 98-60 demolition of Burundi but wasn’t prepared to roll over and wave the white flag.
“There is nothing special about Rwanda,” said Omony. “All they have is good organization and just that ability to do the small things well.”

Rwanda totally outclassed Uganda in the same tournament two years ago and all known logic points to another Rwanda victory. The question is just how big.
The little bit of good news for Uganda is Rwanda’s seven-footer Robert Thompson is battling with illness and can only be half-ready today.
Furthermore, Uganda forward Eric Malinga joined up with the team Tuesday morning and played some part in Uganda’s late encounter with Burundi.
The Ugandan women battle Kenya in a match that should be a stern test of their resolve and quest for a top two finish alive.

Uganda’s women lost to a very beatable Burundi on Monday and will need to significantly up their levels to have a whiff of a chance to beat Kenya.

Uganda’s women return to action after defeating Ethiopia 78-53 last evening.
The team will looking to step up gear against the Kenyans today.

By Ostine Arinaitwe

Zone 5 championship

Yesterday (Results)

Men
Rwanda 103-65 Tanzania

Women
Rwanda 94 - 30 Tanzania
Burundi 31- 69 Kenya
Ethiopia 53- 78 Uganda

Today
Women
Tanzania vs Ethiopia 3:30pm (Amahoro stadium)
Burundi vs Rwanda 5:30pm (Amahoro stadium)
Uganda vs Kenya 4:30pm (Green Hills Academy)

Men
Rwanda vs Uganda 7:30pm (Amahoro stadium)
Kenya vs Tanzania 6:30pm (Green Hills Academy)

RWANDAN teams yesterday showed their superiority after defeating Tanzania in both the men and women categories.
The men’s side thrashed Tanzania 103-65,while in the women category Rwanda won 94- 30.

Action continues today when the men’s team takes on Uganda, while in the women category Rwanda plays Burundi.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

2009/2010 DStv Premier Basketball League finalist, Dodan Warriors basketball club Monday defeated Police Baton basketball club by 68-62 points at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos in a local derby.

The Coach Mark Balogun Baton looked as if they were going to run away with victory when they took the lead with less than two minutes on the clock but a spirited drive-in from the Edwin Jerry captained Warriors side did the magic as they (Warriors) eventually subdue the Police side to record a second win in the league.

Dodan Warriors now has a 2-0 record thus looking good to grab a final-8 playoff ticket while Baton a lucky finalist last year now has a 0-2 record having lost its two games.

Also on Monday Islanders basketball club shakes off an initial threat from Chariots basketball club to pick its first win with a 64-49 points victory over the newly promoted side.

Islanders who could not broke off the challenge poised by the Chariots side in the first three quarters of the game as the Chariots side match them grit-for-grit but the former champion broke loss in the last quarter after falling back on experience to out-play the Chariots side coached by the duo of Coaches Emmanuel Okolo and Wale Mohammed

A highly started zone 5 basketball championship with victories in both categories , men and women yesterday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium, Kigali.
The women side defeated Ethiopian side with 98-53 while their male counterparts bulldozed Burundi 98-60. Veceslav Kavedzija the national coach for both sides (men and women) said that he was grateful to his men side after watching them demolishing Burundian side without their 5 key players because of licences.

Darrius Brannon (206-F-83, agency: GOTathletes, college: Houston) from Houston Blaze (USA), Edwin Mbanda from CSK (Rwanda), Kenny Wilson (193-G-84, college: Boise St.) from NH Ostrava (USA) Josh Tarver (191-G-87, college: Oregon St.) from Oregon State University (USA) and Andrew Francis (203-F-85, agency: GOTathletes, college: UTSA) from APR (Rwanda) didnt get the green light to play for Rwanda in the opening match.

I dont know if FIBA will allow them to play other matches of the competition but we will wait and see, its up to the federation to look for their papers Disclosed Veceslav after the macth.

2007 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Hamza Ruhezamihigo (191-G-85) had a game high 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Hamza who was down in Afrobasket championship held in Libya in 2009 was the man of the match and showed a spectacular display yesterday.

Kami Kabange (F-84) scored 19; Stanley Thomson (208-C-82, college: Fairfield) added 16 while Matthew Miller (191-G) weighed in with 11points.

Rene Gatogato led Burundis scoring wheels with 13 points.

In the days other games, Uganda was on the losing end.

After falling prey to Kenyas robust men team 76-61, Burundi increased Ugandas misery after a close contest 73-69.

Todays fixtures in women category, Burundi plays Kenya at 2.00p.m, Tanzania plays Rwanda at 4.00p.m, and Ethiopia hosts Uganda at 4.30 P.m.

In men category, Tanzania plays Rwanda at 6.00p.m and Uganda plays Burundi at 6.30 p.m.

Men
Kenya 76-61 Uganda
Rwanda 98-60 Burundi

Women
Uganda 69-73 Burundi
Ethiopia 58-93 Rwanda

Todays fixtures
Burundi vs Kenya 2.00 PM Women Amahoro
Tanzania vs Rwanda 4.00 PM Women Amahor
Ethiopia vs Uganda 4.30 Pm Women Green Hills School
Tanzania vs Rwanda 6.00 PM Men Amahoro
Uganda vs Burundi 6.30 PM Men Green Hills School

By Ismail D. Kigongo (Daily Monitor)

It was a forgettable and painful opening day for Team Uganda at the ongoing Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday.
The mens team ran out of steam in the final quarter to lose to Kenya 61-76 whereas the women recovered from a slow start but it was too late to hold off Burundi, who won 73-69.

Captain Stephen Omony (198-G/F-79) game-high 29 points and 10 rebounds failed to rescue Uganda, who had limited scoring options with five of the 12 not troubling the scorer. Having fallen behind in the first period 24-19, Uganda played with great intensity in defence when Boniface Okello was introduced to take the next 15-14 before Kenya nicked the third 17-16.

An expected photo-finish didnt materialize with the later cruising through the ultimate quarter 21-11. Norman Blick (201-F-83), Joseph Ikong (193), Ivan Enabu (182-G) and Ben Komakech didnt score at all in a combined 63 minutes on the floor. Forward Isaac Afidra (12) was the only other player to breach the 10-point barrier. Inconsistency really hurt us. I am confident we can bounce back if our guards come to the party, coach Gad Eteu said.

Though the Kenyans were slightly bigger, Uganda edged the board contest 43-42 but found no answers to experienced center Peter Kiganya (197-F-72, college: Abil.Christian) (25-13). Centre Robert Mubiru (196-F) thrilled in bits for his eight points and six rebounds. His understudies Brian Ssentogo (4-3) and Edwin Kateregga (5-2) need to step up. There was no respite for the women even though guard Maureen Amoding came off the bench to score a team-high 23 points.

Playing away from home DStv Premier Basketball League defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club began the quest to gain one of the four slots to the Final-8 playoffs from the Savannah conference of the league with a 99-66 points win over host Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos at the Sports Hall of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Pillars, coached by Nigeria senior national tactician, Sani Ahmed dominated the Nigeria DStv league in the 2009/2010 season dropping just one game to Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna (80-84) during the regular season of the conference is set to dominate the rest of the teams from the Savannah conference this season once again.

Also in superb form at the weekend, former league champion and second placed team of the now rested Africa Cup Winners Cup Competition (Ashry Cup) Comets basketball club of Lagos handed down a home defeat to Delta Force basketball club of Asaba winning with as much as 23 points margin of 65-88 points.

Comets who began the quest to rewrite its name in the Nigeria scene with a 76-44 points bashing of newly promoted Chariots basketball club of Lagos on January 30 at the sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos is set to give other teams in the Atlantic conference a run for their money and talent.

In its bid to achieve this lofty goal of staging a big comeback to the domestic scene, the team coached by former Nigeria senior Men national team head coach, Ayo Bakare was able to bring back some of its former players such as Denis Ebikoro, former captain of the Nigeria National U18 team and point guard, Orseer Ikyaator and Seun Akinwale.

And in Kano Niger Potters basketball club of Minna defeated host Nigeria Immigration basketball club by 61-58 points at the sports hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofa-mata, Kano.

The loss to Potters by newly promoted Immigration who got a premier league after more than ten years in the less fancy Division-One bring it to second its second straight home lose as it lost it season opener on January 30 scandalously to Kada Stars by 44-85 points.

Zone 5 championship
Results
Men
Kenya 76-61 Uganda
Rwanda 98-60 Burundi

Women
Uganda 69-73 Burundi
Ethiopia 58-93 Rwanda

Today’s fixtures

RWANDA got their Zone 5 basketball championship off to a flier after convincing victories in both categories yesterday.

The women side crashed a helpless Ethiopian side 98-53 while their male counterparts demolished Burundi 98-60 at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

2007 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Hamza Ruhezamihigo had a game high 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists as the hosts ran amok in front of a full house.

Kami Kabange scored 19; Robert Thomson added 16 while Mathieu Miller weighed in with 11points.
After the game, Ruhezamihigo said, “it was a good game for the team and I’m glad we won it convincingly.”

“We now need to stay focused and continue playing well,” the shooting guard added.
Rene Gatogato led Burundi’s scoring wheels with 13 points.

In the day’s other games, Uganda was on the losing end.
After falling prey to Kenya’s robust men team 76-61, Burundi increased Uganda’s misery after a close contest 73-69.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

Comets basketball club at the week make a even record on its road games in the Atlantic conference of the DStv Premier Basketball League with one win and a lose.

Comets who now lead the Atlantic conference with two wins and a lose defeated Delta Force basketball club of Asaba by 88-65 points on Saturday at the Sports Hall of the Asaba Township stadium, while losing by 50-71 points to Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt on Sunday.

In the Savannah conference defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club picked open its title defense with an away win of 99-66 points against Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos at the sports hall of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on Saturday. Niger Potters basketball club of Minna also joi ned the league of away winning team with a 61-58 points win over Nigeria Immigration basketball club of Kano at the sports hall of Sani Abacha stadium, Kofa-mata, Kano.

Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna continue its impressive in the league picking a second away win on Sunday against Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi with a 73-70 points win to maintain a hundred percent record while Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos failed to honour its home game against Bauchi Nets basketball club in its new home court in Bauchi thus faulfing the game for a walk-over in favour of the Nets.

Comets now lead Atlantic conference with five points while Kada Stars hold-sway in Savannah conference with four points from two wins.

DStv PBL Week-2 Results
Atlantic Conference:

Delta Force 65-88 Comets
Royal Hoopers 71-50 Comets

Savannah Conference:

Tapgun Rockets 66-99 Kano Pillars
Immigration 58-61 Niger Potters
Yelwa Hawks 70-73 Kada Stars
Plateau Peaks 00-20 Bauchi Nets (Walk-over)

THE long-awaited Zone 5 basketball championship gets underway this afternoon at Amahoro indoor stadium.

After close to one month in camp, the national team’s head coach Vaceslav Kavedzija does not see why his team cannot reign supreme in the one week tournament which has been reduced to four teams in the men’s category and six in the women fray.

After Egypt’s withdraw last week, Somalia also pulled out making it an all East African affair; Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda.

In the ladies category; Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are in contention.
By press time, draws were not yet done but Kavedzija and his players don’t need to be reminded that anything short of first place will put them out of the reckoning for that lone qualification slot for the 10th All Africa Games slated for September in Maputo, Mozambique.

The championship has been jointly funded by the Ministry of Sports and Culture (Minispoc) and Rwanda’s National Olympic Committee.

Men’s team: Andrew Francis (APR), Aboubacar Barame (APR), Darrius Brannon (Houston Blaze), Edwin Mbanda (CSK), Kenny Gasana (AS Sale & NH Ostrava), Jean Louis Habineza (Espoir), Joshua Tarver (Oregon State University), Kami Kabange (APR), Mathew Miller (APR), Aristide Mugabe (CSK), Fiston Muhire (KBC), Olivier Muhizi (NUR), Karim Nkusi (Falcons-Uganda), Hamza Ruhezamihigo (Concordia University) and Thomson Robert Stanley (KLUJ).

Women team: Williams Monique Angelica, Cantina Graham (Miami Rain) Clary Crystal (USA Elite), Jovithe Kabarere (APR), Liliane Kayitesi (NUR), Marie Josee Kayitesi (NUR), Yvette Kirezi (APR), Laetitia Mahoro (Miami Rain), Alice Muhongerwa (NUR), Scholastics Mukandayisenga (NUR), Joselyne Munyaneza (APR), Rehema Shabani (APR) and Tierra Henderson (Houston Jaguars).

Nothing is going to stop Kyambogo Warriors forward Eric Malinga from playing for Uganda at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship.

Eric and his elder brother Henry Malinga, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winner, lost their mother on Friday night. While everyone thought the former, once voted utl/Uspa basketball player of the year, would skip the event that starts today in Kigali, Rwanda to mourn, Eric opted to stick with the team. “For obvious reasons involving the burial in Mbale on Sunday (yesterday), Eric couldn’t travel with the team but will join them on Monday,” said Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya.

Arguably the best shooter from the field in Uganda, Eric was due to embark on at least a 14-hour journey from Mbale to Kigali. “Such a player is very good for the team since his focus and pride to play for his country can translate into lifting his teammates,” men’s coach Gad Eteu said in praise of Eric.

Nonetheless, it was not all going according to plan yesterday with organisers not issuing a draw for the biennial event by 8p.m Ugandan time. This did little to dampen the mood in Team Uganda’s camp. Following a gruesome a nine-hour overnight bus journey, the contingent were buoyant as they settled in at the La Pallise Hotel on the outskirts of the capital Kigali.

The late breakfast that took at least two hours to get served was the only glitch but when it came, it brought more smiles. The two national teams had a light workout.

By SAMMY KITULA

Basketball champions Kangaru School and Muthambi High School from Embu are among the 100 secondary schools expected in this year’s Embu Open Inter-Schools Championships at Kangaru School.

Last year, Kangaru Boys thrased Wachoro Boys ‘A’ 49-3 to lift the basketball trophy while Muthambi lifted the girls’ trophy after a fierce tussle with Kangaru Girls.

“This year’s theme is ‘Bridging the digital divide through E-learning’ and we expect to attract more than 100 schools,” noted Kenya Institute of Education senior deputy director, John Kimotho.

Term ‘A’ Games

A huge turnout is expected at the two-day event that gets underway this morning as schools use the competition to step up training for the forthcoming Term ‘A’ games in February.

Kamiu Secondary School from Embu, are the football champions, while Muthambi will be defending their football crown. They edged out Kiriari Girls 2-1 in last year’s finals.

While it will be a tall order to rule in the boys’ handball courts, Kirimari’s handball team will be eyeing for a repeat of last year’s edition, where they emerged champions.
But the team is cautious of perennial archrivals Siakago School whom they are now laying strategy to beat.

Leaving nothing to chance

In girls’ hockey, former Eastern champions, Kangaru School, who are the tournament’s defending champions have been promised a tough fixture, when the players get down to business.

Silver medalists at last year’s edition Kinyanga, will be leaving nothing to chance and have promised defending champions no easy ride.

“We have been training quite hard and I think this will payoff in the end. This is a year we must show how talented we are,” said Kangaru’s Steve Mwaniki.

Last year, about 100 teams from 80 schools took part in the event. “We have contracted qualified referees from Kenya Basketball Federation, Kenya Hockey Union and Kenyan Premier League to man the disciplines,” said Kimotho.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
Playing away from home DStv Premier Basketball League defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club began the quest to gain one of the four slots to the Final-8 playoffs from the Savannah conference of the league with a 99-66 points win over host Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos at the Sports Hall of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Pillars, coached by Nigeria senior national tactician, Sani Ahmed dominated the Nigeria DStv league in the 2009/2010 season dropping just one game to Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna (80-84) during the regular season of the conference is set to dominate the rest of the teams from the Savannah conference this season once again.

Also in superb form at the weekend, former league champion and second placed team of the now rested Africa Cup Winners Cup Competition (Ashry Cup) Comets basketball club of Lagos handed down a home defeat to Delta Force basketball club of Asaba winning with as much as 23 points margin of 65-88 points.

Comets who began the quest to rewrite its name in the Nigeria scene with a 76-44 points bashing of newly promoted Chariots basketball club of Lagos on January 30 at the sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos is set to give other teams in the Atlantic conference a run for their money and talent.

In its bid to achieve this lofty goal of staging a big comeback to the domestic scene, the team coached by former Nigeria senior Men national team head coach, Ayo Bakare was able to bring back some of its former players such as Denis Ebikoro, former captain of the Nigeria National U18 team and point guard, Orseer Ikyaator and Seun Akinwale.

And in Kano Niger Potters basketball club of Minna defeated host Nigeria Immigration basketball club by 61-58 points at the sports hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofa-mata, Kano.

The loss to Potters by newly promoted Immigration who got a premier league after more than ten years in the less fancy Division-One bring it to second its second straight home lose as it lost it season opener on January 30 scandalously to Kada Stars by 44-85 points.

africabasket.com

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is seriously planning to dump Zenith Bank as sponsors of the Women’s League in Nigeria.

Speaking Friday, at the opening of the NBBF clinic for commissioners, referees and coaches in Abuja which ends today, the federation president, Tijjani Umar, described the sponsorship of the Women’s league by Zenith Bank as disappointing. “The Zenith sponsorship is not the way it ought to be. We have sought audience and courtesy calls without reply with the bank on the sponsorship. It has really been difficult and disappointing to work wit Zenith Bank. Since 2009, we have reached Zenith more than any individual or organisation but all has been silence. At the moment we are doing all to get another sponsor. We are looking at other options because we think the Zenith sponsorship is not offering any result. There is no sponsorship anywhere without an agreement like in the case of Zenith. We sat with DSTV for sponsorship before all and the media, but with zenith nothing, not even a paper. We have resolved that this year it might be someone else because what Zenith is doing is not good for planning and development. Besides the Zenith league is not giving women enough competition so we will use whatever funding to start a national open women championship.” He revealed.

Charting a new course for the federation this year, Umar said henceforth, the federation will not tolerate cheating as the federation does not want to win by hook or crook again. To stop that, he said the federation has mapped out a philosophy that will teach the coaches and players the roadmap to basketball development. “It is a systemic failure. There will be no more cheating again.”

Ahead the African championship both for men and women, he said only the best will be used.” For our U-19 women championship, we promise that we will have only girls 19 years and under the age of 19 by July for the Chile tournament. Any player not 19 and under by July is automatically out of the team. For the national senior women’s camp, only the best from the pool both home and abroad will be used. We are not too keen about the All Africa Games in Mozambique because nothing is at stake and we are telling our players to prove themselves at the African championships for men and women which are also qualifiers for the world championships.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
Defending champion of the Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League Kano Pillars basketball club will this weekedn open its title defense away to Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos.

The Savannah conference pairing billed for the sporting facility of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria temporary home court of Tapgun will see the Coach Sani Ahmed tutored side continued from where it left off last season.

Pillars who drop only one game last season is hoping to continue its dominance of the Nigerian league as it set to snatch an away win today (Saturday).

Also in the Savannah Conference newly promoted Nigeria Immigration basketball club of Kano will be at home once again to Niger Potters basketball club of Minna at the gymnasium of the Sani Abacha stadium, Kofa mata, Kano.

Immogration who were humiliated at home last week by visiting Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna (44-85 points) must be at its best so as to avoid another home defeat against former Africa Top-5 side (Potters).

It will be a double header in Bauchi on Sunday as Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos settle down to its new home court when it play host to Bauchi Nets basketball club while Yelwa Hawks host Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna.

In the Atlantic conference, Comets basketball club hit the road for a double road games against Delta Force basketball club of Asaba (Saturday) and will be the guest of Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Commets who pounded newly promoted Chariots basketball club of Lagos last week by 76-44 points is set to further compound the woes of Delta Force who went down to Royal Hoopers by 89-45 points in the week-1 pairing of the conference.

Lagos will host two games come Monday as Police Baton basketball club of Lagos square up against Dodan Warriors basketball club at 14H00 while Chariots basketball club battle Islanders at 16H00.

Police Baton who went down to Union Bank basketball club by 82-60 points in the conference week-1 pairing will have its hands full when it step on court Warriors who enjoyed a slim 73-71 points win over Islanders.

By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo
Kampala

Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) will send two national teams – men and women – to the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship regardless of whether they manage to get Shs37m or not.
Team Uganda travels to Kigali, Rwanda by road on Saturday night having got only Shs22m of the required Shs59m for the February 7-12 event. Sprite gave Shs12m whereas Fuba forked out the rest from their coffers and collections from the well-attended league play-offs.

Addressing the media at Speke Hotel yesterday, Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya was optimistic that most of the funding will be found in the remaining hours. “Some companies have shown willingness to aid the team and we have meetings with them to get the rest. I also expect support from government before the end of Friday (today),” Tashobya said.

Reverend Milton Tweheyo, also team manager, is the leader of delegation that includes two national teams of 12 players each, four coaches, statistician and a physiotherapist.

Flying the entire contingent would cost Shs20m which Fuba failed to raise it in time but will organise a send-off dinner at Kati Kati Restaurant just hours before departure on Saturday. “I will not join the team until all the required money is sent to Kigali. So I will stay here searching for the rest,” Tashobya vowed.

Men’s coach Gad Eteu and the women’s assistant Hamza Nyambogo read out their respective teams with no surprises at all. Elsewhere, Kenya and Somalia have pulled out of the tournament while Egypt remains a major doubt due to the ongoing political crisis.

Travelling squads
Men: B. Komakech (v. captain), J. Enabu, I. Enabu, J. Ikong, E. Malinga, B. Okello, S. Omony (captain), N. Blick, I. Afidra, B. Ssentogo, R. Mubiru, E.Kateregga

Women: A. Namirimu, C. Nantalo, M. Amoding, J. Nansobya, Lyn. Nalunkuma, F. Nabulobi
(captain), M. Siima, V. Nassolo
(v.captain), C. Karungi, M. Soigi, P. Proscovia, C. Nafwono.

By Ismail D. Kigongo
Kampala

There won’t be an Enabu dynasty when the national basketball team competes at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship.

The team to be unveiled this morning to the media does not have DMark Power point guard Emmanuel Enabu. The rookie of the year failed to make the final 12-man team but his elder brothers Jimmy and Ivan, both of UCU Canons, made the grade. Sources close to the team told Daily Monitor that Nkumba Marines’ power forward Philip Wakimwero was also dropped for the event set for next week in Kigali, Rwanda.

So dominant in the paint, Wakimwero has struggled with his shooting throughout the past three weeks of practice due to a right knee problem. Despite being part of the future, Emmanuel lacks experience having played only one topflight season. The omissions cement coach Gad Eteu’s insinuations about the composition following a gritty 78-67 triumph over a Select side last Friday at YMCA.

“From the current team of 14, we might drop one big man and a guard,” Eteu said in an interview. His team will not have any further excuses when they play their last trial game against a Select side at YMCA court, Wandegeya this evening.

Without Emmanuel, forwards Norman Blick, Stephen Omony and Isaac Afidra might have to take turns to manage the ball in case point guards Ben Komakech and Ivan need a breather. Centres Robert Mubiru and Brian Ssentongo will offer the much needed size.

Meanwhile, the women’s team to be released today will not have KCC Leopards’ guard Becky Akullo and her A1 Challenge counterpart Gloria Kyomugisha. Coach Mandy Juruni named UCU Lady Canons skipper Frances Nabulobi as national captain with Vicky Nassolo deputising.

The teams are awaiting confirmation of the actual dates for the event that was moved from February 1-6 to 7-12 until Egypt requested for another postponement because of the current political crisis in Cairo.

Men’s squad
B. Komakech (v. captain),
J. Enabu, I. Enabu, J. Ikong,
E. Malinga, B. Okello, S. Omony
(captain), N. Blick, I. Afidra,
B. Ssentogo, R. Mubiru, E.
Kateregga
Women: A. Namirimu, C.
Nantalo, M. Amoding,
J. Nansobya, Lyn Nalunkuma,
F. Nabulobi (captain), M. Siima,
V. Nassolo, C. Karungi, M. Soigi,
P. Proscovia, C. Nyafwono.

EGYPT will not defend their Zone 5 basketball championship title after pulling out of the competition slated to run from February 7-12 in Kigali.

According to Rwanda’s basketball federation Secretary General Jean Lucien Mugabo, the North Africans withdrew because of the on-going political unrest in Cairo.
“Egypt requested to have the tournament postponed but it is a little too late for that so they will not be coming,” Mugabo confirmed.

Following their withdraw, Rwanda are now favourites to win the tournament which also doubles as a qualifier for the 10th All Africa Games scheduled for September in Maputo, Mozambique.

The winner in both categories; men and women will qualify for the Games.

Participating teams
Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda (men)
Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda (women)

The preliminaries for Afrobasket (male & female) combined with All African Games of Zone V will be held from 7 to 12 February 2011 in Kigali (Rwanda).

The countries concerned are:

In Men : Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda.
In Women :Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda.

After these preliminaries, the first in each category qualify for both competitions. Note that Egypt (in men) and Kenya (in women) are already qualified for All African Games.

UCU Lady Canons star Nabulobi has been named national skipper

Uganda v Select (8pm)
Women
Select v Uganda (6pm)

The political crisis in Egypt which may lead to the postponement of the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship has forced Ugandan selectors to delay naming of the final squad.

Initially, Team Uganda was to be unveiled after last night’s training but management granted a stay of execution until the actual dates for the event in Rwanda are confirmed following Egypt’s request for rescheduling. If postponed, it will be the second time following an earlier decision to move the tournament from February 1-6 to 7-12. Speculation is rife that a three-day extension is set to be granted by organisers. This allows local coaches to further test their plans.

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Malinga, Kasewu dropped from national team
“In the event that it’s delayed again, we can only take it in good faith and use the time to prepare sufficiently,” men’s coach Gad Eteu said.

One-man decision

On the team composition, he was non-committal on how far he and his assistant Timothy Odeke have gone. “If it was a one-man decision, even you can name a team within minutes. The selectors’ panel will sit tomorrow (tonight) and see where to go,” Eteu added. Following last Friday’s 78-67 victory over a Select side, he innocuously hinted on what the team would look like. “From the current team of 14, we might drop one big man and a guard,” he said.

Robert Mubiru and Brian Ssentogo are primed to edge out Edwin Kateregga for the position of centre. The Enabu brothers – Emmanuel and Ivan – are likely to fight for the other guard’s slot.

Meanwhile, women’s coach Mandy Juruni appointed Frances Nabulobi as captain with Vicky Nassolo taking the deputy’s mantle.

Nabulobi, a three-time national league top scorer, could have been selected for her unrivalled discipline, experience and shooting.