Basketball in Africa

MAVERICK Matero Magic kept up with its bullish mood by sweeping aside military teams during the Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) national championship play-offs played at the National Sports development Centre (NASDEC).
Tasked to fend off stiff competition from two military sides in the quest to reclaim the national title, Matero Magic kept their nose in front after beating Zambia Army's Green Buffaloes and then Zambia National Services (ZNS)'s Green Eagles.
First up for the Lovemore 'Potterfield' Sikaale coached Matero Magic was fierce rivals Green Buffaloes, who they fought tooth and nail to eventually beat 80-72 in an enthralling match that could have passed for a play-offs final.
Then after subduing Green Buffaloes, their magic went into another spellbinding match, this time against another ZNS team in Green Eagles whom they overpowered to take the game with a much tighter 66-62 scoreline.
For the Zambia Army teams in the basketball league it was a bad outing especially that the Green Buffaloes women team went on courts against the UNZA Honeys losing 62-58.
As the Zambia Army teams were licking their wounds on day one, the University of Zambia teams were on cloud nine as the male team (UNZA Pacers) recorded an easy 67-49 victory over the Mazabuka Comets in a lope sided match. The championship continues this weekend.