Basketball in Africa

Dar es Salaam. The Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball Association (RBA) League is set to resume tomorrow after a brief break.

Two games will be on the cards at the National Indoor Stadium in the evening with red-hot Savio facing Oilers in the first duel.The second game, which will be played under the floodlights, will pit Pazi against Vijana “City Bulls.”The Oilers, who laboured to overcome Chui 78-75 in the last game, head in to the courts hoping to pull off a shock victory over Savio.Savio, one of the teams primed to clinch the annual RBA League trophy, have yet to lose a match and are odds-on favourites in tomorrow’s match.However, motivated by their win over Chui, Oilers are expected to go all out agaisnst their hyped opponents.And their head coach, William Mziray told The Citizen yesterday that his boys were in top shape and that they would replicate last week’s form. “When you talk about Savio, you are simply referring to the champions elect; they have a rich pedigree in both regional and national events, so we have a tough match on Friday (tomorrow),” Mziray said.“Much as we respect them, we are also well prepared for the challenge; they won’t find it easy at all. The boys have trained intensively and are psyched up to defy the odds.”Savio coach Dassy Makula was in a bullish mood, assuring their fans that the team will record a routine victory.“I can’t say the game is easy for us considering that they have been performing well lately, but I am confident of a win,” the veteran coach said. “We’re aware of what they are capable of, but I have experienced players who can keep them in check. I have no injury concerns, so I will unleash the strongest team possible against Oilers.” For his part,  Pazi  head coach Evarist Mapunda voiced optimism that his team has what it takes to stop another unbeaten side, Vijana. “It is always difficult playing Vijana, they have a good team, but I am confident that we have the quality to beat them,” he said.