Basketball in Africa

By Betram Lengama
ARMY Basketball Club (ABC) have been dethroned after suffering a 68-60 defeat at the hands of Savio in a thrilling semi-final clash of the National Basketball League (NBL) men's category at the National Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
Savio have set a date with another army team JKT, in what is billed to be a mouthwatering final at the same venue today. The army men failed to contain Savio pressure from the word go and faced a stiff resistance from their opponents.
The defending champions had to trail behind Savio in all four quarters as Savio had the lion share of the game, which had attracted good number fans. Savio entered into the break after two quarter leading by 33- 28 points and in the third quarter ABC was also behind their opponents by one point as Savio led 46-45.
Pressure mounted in the last quarter as both teams exchanged quick points but still Savio enjoyed a lion share of possession, while ABC players were struggling to contain them. JKT cruised into the final stage after outshining Jogoo in the first semi-final clash by 96-61 points.
JKT who started the game at a low tempo lost the first quarter by 12-13 but their tempo changed in the second quarter and took command of the game, winning the remaining quarters by 16-13 and 38-14.
In the ladies category title holders Don Bosco Lioness will come face to face against their bitter rivals Jeshi Stars at the same venue today.
The game is expected to be breathtaking and mouthwatering as Jeshi Stars are looking for revenge after losing against their opponents in last year's finals.
Apart from looking for a revenge, the army ladies are also targeting at dethroning their opponents who have been dominating the league for some years, while the defending champions also expect to clinch the title for the third consecutive years.
This is what makes today's ladies final unpredictable and difficult for both sides. However, records shows that Don Bosco has an upper hand against their opponents, as they have been emerging winners in various matches whenever the two sides meet in various events.
Don Bosco Lioness and Jeshi Stars are yet to feel the pinch of defeat in the league, as both sides have won all their matches in this year's campaign. A defeat to either side will be the first.
Apart from being NBL defending champions, Don Bosco Lioness are also the Union Basketball League champions. Teams which were involved in this year's event are Vijana popularly known as 'City Bulls', ABC, Chui, Pazi, Oilers , Chang'ombe , JKT , Jogoo, Kurasini Heats, Mabibo Bullets, Chang'ombe United, Tanzania Prisons, Don Bosco Lioness, Jeshi Stars, Tanzania Prisons Queens, Kurasini Divaz, Vijana Queens and JKT - all from Dar es Salaam for men and women categories.