Basketball in Africa

By Burton Msyani
The Citizen Correspondent

Dar es Salaam. Oilers laboured to beat Chang’ombe United 58-44 in an exciting RBA League match at the National Indoor Stadium.
The match started at a cracking pace with both teams pressing up front in turn to the delight of basketball fans, who were on their toes throughout the game.
After a tight battle in the opening exchanges, Chang’ombe slightly lost steam towards the end of the first quarter, allowing Oilers to take a 13-12 lead.
Chang’ombe came out a more aggressive side in the second quarter, commanding the proceedings with swift but accurate passes to take the quarter 16-9.
The third quarter was even more exciting with both teams playing their hearts out, and the end-to-end match seemed destined to end in a draw.
Sensing the danger of losing the quarter, Chang’ombe resorted to long passes. But this could not stop the fast-moving Oilers from taking the quarter 19-8.
Inspired by the hard-earned lead, Oilers enjoyed the lion’s share of the fourth quarter and it came as no surprise when they took it 17-8.
Oilers, one of the teams tipped to snatch the title, had Gerald Baru and Lusajo Samueli to thank for the hard-earned victory.
Baru, one of the best basketball players in the country at the moment, scored 18 points and Samueli had 14.
Mohamed Mkani was a notable player for Chang’ombe United. He netted 15 points.
In yesterday’s other match, Savio had little mercy on Hopelife as they thumped them 133-49 in a one-sided game at the same venue.
Savio, led by Ally Mnyamani, stamped their authority in the game right from the start. They took a 67-28 half time lead.
Mnyamani scored 20 points for Savio, while Hopelife’s Deogratus Haule had 12.In the women’s series, JKT Queens put up a spirited fight down Lady Lioness 65-37.