Basketball in Africa

BURUNDI's Urunani Basketball Club won the FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championship after beating defending champions, KCB of Kenya, 69-61 in the men's category final at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

Urunani had previously edged the other tournament favourites, APR of Rwanda, in a tightly contested semi-final played at the same venue on Friday and the victory happened to offer them a huge morale boost going into the final.
KCB, who are arguably one of the best male basketball outfits in the East and Central African region, defeated Kigali's KBC in another men's semi-final also played on Friday, but their attempt to defend the title were frustrated by the Burundians.
The women's category final was expected to pit defending champions, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) against Burundi's Berco Stars at the same venue.
KPA beat Tanzania's only representatives, Jeshi Stars, 69-51 in the semi-final on Friday while the youthful Berco Stars, against all odds, breezed past Uganda's KCC in another semi-final to book their place in the final.
Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) organized the tournament, which brought together clubs from the East, Central and Horn of Africa, in an effort to promote the sport in the region.