08 August 2013
KENYA : USIU Flames through to Zone V semi-finals begin
United States International University- Africa, USIU-A, ladies team had a dream debut at the Zone V clubs qualifiers winning their opening matches at the Sport Department Court in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The students put behind the controversy over fielding foreign players that had earlier threatened their participation to beat host Berco Stars 76-71 on Monday and Uganda’s KCCA Leopards 60-43 on Tuesday.
"This is a plus for us as a team to reach the semi-finals,"said the USIU women's head coach George Mayenga.
Against Berco, USIU had to put up with a late rally from the Burundians who came to life in the second half but managed to hold off the challenge for the win.
The Kenyans took a ten point advantage to the breather leading 37-27. They won the opening quarters 19-10 and 18-17 respectively.
Upon resumption, the Flames fought hard but narrowly lost the third quarter 17-18. The fourth quarter was equally tough as the local ladies lost 22-26 but had done the damage in the first half.
Emma Nyakweba led the scores for USIU with 21 while Cynthia Irankunda had 16. Kalume Florence had a game high of 34 points to top score for the Burundian side while Inesi Nezerwa added 18.
Flames consume KCCA
In their second match, Flames went on the rampage despite leading by a slim 23-19 scoreline at half time.
The Ugandan side won the first quarter 13-10 but the lead exchanged hands in the second when USIU won 13-6. In the third quarter, it was the turning point for the Kenyans winning 20-10 before confirming the big victory with a 17-14 win in the fourth quarter.
Hilda Indasi had 13 points for USIU with Linda Mfuchi adding 10. For KCCA, Joy Flavia and Martha Soigi top scored with 14 points each.
Burundi’s Les Gazelles equally made it two wins in two matches after beating APR of Rwanda 50-35 and Don Bosco from Tanzania 52-47.
In the men's category, defending champions Espoir of Rwanda kicked off their title defense positively after beating Burundi’s Urunani 60-44.
Arstide Mugabe led the rout with 14 points for the winners. Kenya’s USIU Tigers will get to the court for their opening match against a wounded Urunani on Tuesday night.
The other match will pit New Star of Burundi against Tanzania’s Vijana City Bulls.
Eagles Wings jet off to Burundi
Kenya’s representative in the women category and Zone V defending champion Eagle Wings left the country on Tuesday evening for Burundi after delaying their trip owing to financial difficulties.
The club had an initial budget of KSh.3 million. Team manager Nelly Odera confirmed that the government has given the team air tickets which is a morale booster.
“We are happy for that even though it came late; it’s a good gesture from the government. We will have to live within the available resources because the funds we have are not enough.”
Collated Results: Women- APR (RWA) 35 Les Gazelles (BDI) 50, USIU Flames 77 Berco Stars (BDI) 71, USIU Flames 60 KCCA Leopards (UGA) 43, Don Bosco (TZ) 47 Les Gazelles (BDI) 52; Men- Espoir (RWA) 60 Urunani (BDI) 44, Warriors (UGA) 73 New Stars (BDI) 69
The students put behind the controversy over fielding foreign players that had earlier threatened their participation to beat host Berco Stars 76-71 on Monday and Uganda’s KCCA Leopards 60-43 on Tuesday.
"This is a plus for us as a team to reach the semi-finals,"said the USIU women's head coach George Mayenga.
Against Berco, USIU had to put up with a late rally from the Burundians who came to life in the second half but managed to hold off the challenge for the win.
The Kenyans took a ten point advantage to the breather leading 37-27. They won the opening quarters 19-10 and 18-17 respectively.
Upon resumption, the Flames fought hard but narrowly lost the third quarter 17-18. The fourth quarter was equally tough as the local ladies lost 22-26 but had done the damage in the first half.
Emma Nyakweba led the scores for USIU with 21 while Cynthia Irankunda had 16. Kalume Florence had a game high of 34 points to top score for the Burundian side while Inesi Nezerwa added 18.
Flames consume KCCA
In their second match, Flames went on the rampage despite leading by a slim 23-19 scoreline at half time.
The Ugandan side won the first quarter 13-10 but the lead exchanged hands in the second when USIU won 13-6. In the third quarter, it was the turning point for the Kenyans winning 20-10 before confirming the big victory with a 17-14 win in the fourth quarter.
Hilda Indasi had 13 points for USIU with Linda Mfuchi adding 10. For KCCA, Joy Flavia and Martha Soigi top scored with 14 points each.
Burundi’s Les Gazelles equally made it two wins in two matches after beating APR of Rwanda 50-35 and Don Bosco from Tanzania 52-47.
In the men's category, defending champions Espoir of Rwanda kicked off their title defense positively after beating Burundi’s Urunani 60-44.
Arstide Mugabe led the rout with 14 points for the winners. Kenya’s USIU Tigers will get to the court for their opening match against a wounded Urunani on Tuesday night.
The other match will pit New Star of Burundi against Tanzania’s Vijana City Bulls.
Eagles Wings jet off to Burundi
Kenya’s representative in the women category and Zone V defending champion Eagle Wings left the country on Tuesday evening for Burundi after delaying their trip owing to financial difficulties.
The club had an initial budget of KSh.3 million. Team manager Nelly Odera confirmed that the government has given the team air tickets which is a morale booster.
“We are happy for that even though it came late; it’s a good gesture from the government. We will have to live within the available resources because the funds we have are not enough.”
Collated Results: Women- APR (RWA) 35 Les Gazelles (BDI) 50, USIU Flames 77 Berco Stars (BDI) 71, USIU Flames 60 KCCA Leopards (UGA) 43, Don Bosco (TZ) 47 Les Gazelles (BDI) 52; Men- Espoir (RWA) 60 Urunani (BDI) 44, Warriors (UGA) 73 New Stars (BDI) 69
# posted by afrbk : 12:47
