Basketball in Africa

It’s the time of the season fans crave for; a time to separate boys from men as well as contenders from pretenders.Felix Eupal previews the four playoffs quarterfinal matchups in the men’s basketball topflight.

Dmark Power v UCU Canons

Defending champions Power endured their worst regular season performance in over a decade, losing five times to finish fourth. They face an unpredictable Canons side in what is perhaps the closest of the four ties.

Canons lost eight games and finished fifth but their coach Nick Natuhereza promises to rise to the occasion. “Playoffs are a different ball game,” he says.

Indeed, Canons stretched Warriors to the limit last season despite playing with only eight men.

Falcons v Ndejje University Angels

Going by their regular season performance, Blue Cube Falcons are overwhelming favourites to progress. In fact, it will be a shocker if the Angels avoid a clean sweep.
Falcons dropped only four games all season and set a new record by winning 14 straight games. Compared to the Angles’ dismal record of 12 losses, it’s easy to see why this is a mismatch.

KIU Titans v Miracle

The Kasanga-based Titans have every ingredient to believe that they can clinch a title. In coach Nimrod Kaboha, they have a ship captain who has been there, done that. On the court, the deadly duo of Richard Osano and Salim Ali have proved all season they can bring any team down on any given day.

That said, Miracle have of late produced miracles of their own. Written off at the start of the season after losing nine players, the Rubaga-based side fought their way to the playoffs for the second year running. However, they lack the maturity to offset this Titan team.

Warriors v Victoria Heaters

This is a classic David versus Goliath battle. So lopsided this matchup looks that 2009 champions Warriors – which topped the regular season log – will most likely choose to experiment the best-of-three series against playoffs first timers