30 November 2006

ZIMBABWE : Basketball start life without Cameo

A NEW era dawns in the Harare Basketball Association (HBA) Men’s ‘A’ league when they begin life without five-time league and national champions Cameo.

Cameo men and women’s teams have dominated both in the league and national championships for the past five seasons. Their demise means a new champion will emerge this season.
Since the collapse of the champions, many a basketball fan has been wondering whether the basketball landscape in the country will be the same because Cameo were what Dynamos is to Zimbabwean football. They were like what Nigeria is to African football and what Brazil is to world football. The question now is who will replace the fallen giants, whose owner and coach Roderick Takawira has decided to put the club under the hammer.
However, though everyone agrees that the league will not be the same again without the evergreen Takawira barking instructions from the sidelines, the pre-season tournament played last weekend showed that there is still hope in the league. A number of clubs gave us the reason to believe that basketball has not lost its flavour and among the exciting clubs were 2003-2004 national champions Highdon Raiders.
The Ngoni Mukukula coached side, which beat Varsity Leopards to win the tournament have, for a long time lived in the shadows of Cameo, Leopards, Jewels and Kingdom Cavaliers.
The Dzivarasekwa based outfit appears to be favourites for the crown this season following their recruitment of former Cameo players Nixon Mawire, Duncan Shenje and Simukai Musiiiwa.
The trio is expected to add stability to the team that also features Erinos Katsaruware, Norest Shenje, the tall gangling Levy Mwanza and the evergreen Menard Masawi.
However, Highdon Raiders will not get the title on a silver platter as they will get a stiff challenge from Leopards, who finished third in the league last season. Leopards have also been active on the market having roped in the talented former Cameo duo of Hamilton Mudawarima and Tinashe Muchenje. The evergreen Tafadzwa Chidawa is still around in the Varsity dressing room.
Last season’s league runners up, Jewels have not been active on the transfer market but they still have the arsenal to challenge for honours.
In their tried and trusted trio of Michael Banda, Tapiwa Mugwagwa and Artwell Dzikiti, the Addison Chiware coached side have the players with the pedigree and poise to compete and come out unscathed. They also have a chance to lay their hands on the championship.
Another potential champion is Kingdom Cavaliers who have also added former Cameo players Nyasha Mushekwi and Allan Tegunde to an already talent laden squad.
Cavaliers, coached by Ronald Garura, arguably one of the best players to emerge from the country, still have the talented Simba Mugomezi in their ranks. However, their player/coach Garura might be out of action for a couple of weeks as he is nursing a swollen knee. They will be looking forward to improving on the firth position they finished on last season.
However, not much is expected from Pross, who together with the newly promoted City Wolves and ‘B’ League side Drifters do not have coaches. Pross have not been active on the market but they still have the talents of the Muganiwa brothers Tanya and Pfungwa and Brian Karemba.
The team lacks the seriousness that comes with winning the championship as they only assemble on match days. Former Cameo players Farai Tumbare and Royce Takaendesa have been linked to the side.
Mufakose Hawks have an outside chance of winning the title. Hawks, who finished on position eight last season will, as has become the norm, look up to Bradwell Mungofa and Adams Mupariwa for inspiration. On their day, the duo can be a handful and coach Linos Mushonga will be hoping they keep their good form.
Faithwear Jammers, known for starting the season on a very high note only to fizzle out as the season wears on, are likely to suffer for their over reliance on Michael Kofi and Lloyd Muyanganira.
New boys SCB Stommers are likely to pose a surprise in the league as they field some very talented players from Churchill High School. In Simba Dongonda, Nomutsa Mupezeni, Kevin Zakazaka, and Tatenda Kembo Stommers have a very youthful side with the zeal to challenge any opponent.
The players were part of the all-conquering Harare Provincial team that lifted the Sprite National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH) basketball tournament held in Marondera recently. Also to challenge for honours are Mbare Bulls, City Wolves, Golden Spurs and UZ Spurs. Mbare Bulls have lost their coach for last season Collins Nazare who ‘quit’ basketball but they have roped in former Varsity player Nomius Vhinyu and Michael Dingiswayo from Celtics.
That having been said, fans can only hope for an exciting season.

ZIMBABWE : Celtics expelled from HBA league

HARARE Basketball Association (HBA) ‘A’ League side Celtics have been expelled from the league after failing to meet the registration deadline.



HBA secretary general Ardmore Gondoza confirmed the development saying they gave the club until Friday last week to register but they failed to do so resulting in the association deregistering them.
“Celtics will not be playing basketball this year after failing to meet the registration deadline. We sent them a circular last week notifying them that the registration deadline will be Friday, but nothing has come from them.
“This left us with no choice, but to de-register them for this season together with champions Cameo who wrote to us saying they will not participate in the league this season,” he said.
Gondoza said the league would meet next week to decide what to do with regards to the number of teams left in the league.
“The HBA executive will meet next week to decide what to do in the face of the withdrawal of the two clubs. We currently have 14 teams in the league, but we are supposed to have 16 teams,” he said. Efforts to contact team official Raymond “Stretch” Nyamuziwa were fruitless, but the club is believed to have failed to raise a team for the season.
Celtics have failed to lure players to the team after losing a number of players to other teams. Meanwhile, highflying HBA side Dzivarasekwa Raiderz will be hoping to keep up their fine form when they take on South Central at Dzivarasekwa courts tomorrow. Stommers will have to be at their best if they entertain any hopes of salvaging something in Dzivarasekwa, which Raiderz have turned into a slaughterhouse.
Raiderz coach Ngoni Mukukula has transformed the side into an awesome machine and have won all the three games they have played so far.
The Dzivarasekwa based side’s recruitment of former Cameo players Nixon Mawire, Duncan Shenje and Simukai Musiiwa has seen a change in fortune for the team. Erinos Katsaruware, Norest Shenje, the tall gangling Levy Mwanza and the evergreen Menard Masawi have ably supported the former Cameo trio.
Another potentially explosive tie is at UZ where HBA new boys SCB Stommers take on Jewels. Jewels will call upon the talents of Michael Banda, Tapiwa Mugwagwa and Artwell Dzikiti for victory. However, if Jewels entertain any hopes of getting the victory on a silver platter, they should guard the Churchill High School trio of Simba Dongonda, Nomutsa Mupezeni, Kevin Zakazaka, and Tatenda Kembo.

ZIMBABWE : Basketball giants Cameo sell franchise

HARARE Basketball Association (HBA) and National League champions Cameo have put their ‘A’ League franchise on sale citing pressing monetary constraints.

Cameo coach-cum-owner Roderick Takawira, said he had arrived at that painful decision because the costs of sponsoring three competitive teams alone was straining his finances.
The decision, he said, had also been prompted by the fact that the top-flight local basketball league was still unbranded, and now wanted to concentrate more on the ‘B’ League side and the ladies team.
“It is increasingly becoming difficulty to run a club in the league that does not have a sponsor. Two years ago I approached quite a number of people with the hope of getting assistance, but they all declined and this led me to reaching this decision,” he added.
The respected mentor, who has guided the team to five consecutive HBA and National League championships, said it was high time other people took over the programme he started in 1995.
“The sport has been taking too much of my time.
This is why I have decided to sell the ‘A’ League team’s franchise.
I will keep the ‘B’ League team as a developmental side, which will involve under-18 players.
“Every player over 18 years will move on to another club.
In basketball a player becomes a free agent at the end of the season so the players will just join the teams of their choice,” he said.
Cameo was formed in 1995 and over the years has risen to become one of the best in the country.
Their demise means the talents of former Zimbabwe Under-20s such as Michael Nhira, Farai Tumbare, Alan Tegunde, Nyasha Mushekwi and Duncan Shenje have to look elsewhere to continue with their careers.

ZIMBABWE : Ex-Cameo players form team

FORMER Cameo women’s basketball players have formed a new team called Stanbic.

The team, to be bankrolled by Stanbic Bank, will be playing in the Harare Basketball Association (HBA) women’s league.
Aisha Tsimba, a team official confirmed the latest development but said she will be in a position to divulge more information when the season starts.
“I can confirm that a new team called Stanbic will be playing league basketball this season,” she said.
HBA administrator Simon Lawson also confirmed the team had registered.
“Stanbic has been registered as a women’s basketball team. They have also registered their players and most of them are former Cameo players.
“The club becomes the ninth team in the league that is if we retain all our clubs from last season,” he said.
Players that are set to star for Stanbic include big names in basketball such as Regina Chisale, Margaret Magwaro and Tsimba. The team is likely to be formidable given that the players have an array of experience having won quite a number of trophies with Cameo.
Most of the players were left stranded after Cameo proprietor and coach Roderick Takawira decided that only school going players should play for his team.
Takawira has only registered men’s ‘B’ League team and is already selling the Cameo’s ‘A’ League franchise.
Lawson said the season is expected to start next weekend after an audit of the clubs.
“The season was expected to start this weekend but we have to move it to next week as clubs are still registering.
“Also there is a preseason tournament whose semi-final matches will be played this weekend,” he said.

ZIMBABWE : Basketball teams engage Zambia

ZIMBABWE senior men and women basketball teams are set to tour Zambia for a series of friendly matches over the weekend of December 8-11.


Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) interim chairman Addison Chiwara said the matches are part of the preparations for the forthcoming Zone Six preliminary games and the All Africa Games.
“We have just been re-admitted into the international arena so we are preparing for forthcoming fixtures. Zambia have improved a lot and will help us very much in preparing for the Zone Six Games. We also want to thoroughly prepare for the All Africa Games where we hope to win at least a medal,” he said.
Chiware added that Ngoni Mukukula would coach the ladies team while Ronald Garura will be the coach of the men’s team. Zimbabwe had been suspended from international competitions for the past seven years after failing to pay affiliation fees. BUZ paid the US$2 400 that was needed resulting in the country being recalled into the international family.
Chiware also said his association was targeting upgrading the referees to meet international standards.
“We want referees in the country to meet the FIBA standards. This is the only way that they can also be invited to officiate at international competitions,” he said.

29 November 2006

ZIMBABWE : Panthers Set to Write Piece of History

MARONDERA Panthers are set to write their own piece of history this weekend when they become the first Harare Basketball Association League side to host a match outside the capital.

Panthers affiliated to the league last week and they start their campaign tomorrow with a date against Roderick Takawira's developmental side Sigauke.
The side has two teams and their female counterparts are set to play Real Returners in a match that will be the curtain raiser to the men's match against Sigauke.
HBA administrator Simon Lawson said the B League side has been introduced to the league as they would like to see the game develop in all towns and at all levels in the country.
"This would be the first time that Marondera will witness a Harare Basketball League basketball match and the reason why we agreed for them to join our league is development.
"There is no competition in Marondera and because we would like to see the game develop in all the parts of the country at all levels, we saw it necessary to have the club play in the league," said Lawson.

Fixtures
A-League: South Central v Pross, UZ Stars v Varsity Leopards, Kingdom Cavaliers v JBC, Stormers v Raiderz, Mufakose Hawks v Faithwear Jammers, Pross v Gentlemen's Association, Golden Spurs v Mbare Bulls, City Wolves v Faithwear Jammers.

B-League: Panthers v Sigauke, Nuggets v Galacticalz, Highfield Assassins v Richwood, Golden Spurs v Pistons, Richwood v Nuggets, Drifters v Raiderz, Blades v Crocodiles.

28 November 2006

KENYA : Ulinzi Re-Write Basketball History


Ulinzi Warriors re-wrote the history of basketball in Kenya after they edged out Co-operative Bank basketball Team 84-83 in overtime to win the Premier League title for a record 5th consecutive time. Shooting guard Ancette Wafula was on fire for Warriors from tip-off, bagging 11 points as they took the first quarter 24-17. Warriors maintained their offensive attack on Co-op come the second quarter through Wafula, John Apollo, Simon Mugambi and Richard Osano, who came off-the-bench to score 11 points, as they took a 48-34 lead. After the break, Co-op turned the tables around through Peter Kiganya, Francis Odari, Wycliffe Ochieng, John Waruru and George Kamau, taking the third quarter 22-12, and the fourth 20-16, tying the game at 76-76 after a George Kamau basket with two seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime. The tension packed overtime saw a determined Co-op side cheered on by the mammoth crowd tie the game twice, 81-81 through Kamau, and 83-83 through Odari. However, their celebration was cut short by Apollo as he sunk the winning free-throw as time ran out. Ancette Wafula scored game high 30 points while Apollo added 16 points and Osano 16 for Warriors. Peter Kiganya led Co-op with 29, John Waruru 14, Furaha Odari 12 that included 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Ulinzi Warriors, under Coach Eliud Nzioka, were level with Co-operative Bank as the only two teams to ever win the championship Four times after last years win. Now they are in a class of their own.

Meanwhile, sources revealed to AlsaBasketball that John Apollo is contemplating retirement. The forward, who has been with the armed forces side for almost a decade, will have chosen a better time to do so, especially after he sunk the winning free-throw that earned his team a fifth consecutive Championship.

SEYCHELLES : SBF Cup - Cobras, Hawks sweep series for repeat final


COACH Guy Hall has achieved part of his primary objective with Premium Cobras – overcoming dark horse side Baya to reach the final of the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup.

It remains to be seen if he can go all the way to win his first title as head coach of Premium Cobras who are in a repeat of last year’s final against defending champions PLS Hawks.The country’s top two men’s teams swept their semifinal series on Sunday at Victoria Gymnasium in front of a big crowd. While PLS Hawks’ semifinal looked easier on paper and which reflected in the 86-54 score, Premium Cobras had to break down a tenacious Baya before grinding a 78-71 victory.

The successor of Jude Talma who guided Premium Cobras to reclaiming the Men’s division 1A League title before stepping down, coach Hall told Sports Nation that “we are aiming to sweep Baya and reach the final in just two games” after winning game one 77-63 last Friday.

His team did it but it was not after having had to endure a lot of pressure and him gesturing on the sidelines on each plays and basket scored.

With the two teams unable to distance themselves from each other, the first quarter ended 20-20, but Premium Cobras won the second and the fourth 24-19 and 18-15. Baya, who lost the match on the free-throw line as they misfired after Premium Cobras’ big men Lenny ‘Bad’ Aglaé and Nigerian Reuben Kolawole fouled out with under four minutes remaining on the clock and the score tied at 68-68, edged their opponents 17-16 in the third 10-minute spell. But it was too little too late for coach Michel Malbrook’s team as they came up short in search of a win to tie the series and force a decisive game three.

Winners of the Men’s division 1A Top-of-the-table tournament, Baya were led in scoring by Bernard Cherry with 21 points, including two treys, while Giovanni Laval (16 points, including two 3-pointers) and Robert Léon (12 points) were the other two players in double digits.Premium Cobras’ sharp shooter Danny Bertin, who played alongside coach Hall for Beau Vallon Heat, got off the bench to net a team-high 19 points, 12 of which came from beyond 3-point range. He was helped in offence by Tanzanian Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan with 15 points and Aglaé added 14.

Like Hall, PLS Hawks’ coach Tony Juliette also predicted a sweep after their 74-52 game one win and his team delivered once again as they dominated MBU Rockers 86-54.

Without a trophy this far in the season, PLS Hawks are aware that they cannot repeat last year’s League and Cup double feat after losing the 2006 League championship title to Premium Cobras and the SBF Cup presents them with the last chance to rescue their season.

And it looks like they have the ammunition to trouble Premium Cobras in the best-of-three final series starting Saturday December 2 at the Palais des Sports.

PLS Hawks toyed with MBU Rockers on Sunday, winning all four quarters – 24-17, 17-15, 23-16 and 22-6 – and they were led in scoring by go-to-guy Stephen Omony with a game-leading 33 points. The Ugandan all-rounder also connected on three treys.

Nigel Annette (13 points, including two 3-pointers) and Wellington Adeline (13 points) joined Omony as the only hawks in double digits.

Skilful playmaker and captain Nigel Sinon had a high-scoring match for MBU Rockers with 26 points, including three treys. But being the only rocker scoring in double figures, it was always going to be tough for his team to trouble the experienced and tough-to-beat PLS Hawks.

Unlike the men’s final which will be a repeat of the 2005 edition, the 2006 women’s finalists are different compared to last year.

Chasing their first ever SBF Cup, HotShots defeated defending champions Anse Etoile Stars 52-41 in their first match to kill off coach Malbrook’s team’s dream of a League and Cup double, before sweeping Cadettes 2-0 (50-41 and 70-35) in the best-of-three semifinals.

In the other best-of-three semifinal series, Mont Fleuri twice held on to win 63-62 and 50-47 against last year’s losing finalists Bel Air for a third final appearance this year.

After losing their first two finals to Stars – 45-51 in the Curtain-raiser and 34-85 in the Top-of-the-table tournaments – Mont Fleuri hope to win their first title this season and a second SBF Cup after the first achieved in 2000.

27 November 2006

KENYA : Warriors take a fifth straight championship


Champions Ulinzi Warriors became the first team to win the national basketball league title for the fifth year in a row at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
The soldiers shot down Co-op Bank 84-83 in extra-time of the Game Two of the best-of-three series men’s final.Ulinzi Warriors, who won in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, entered history books with a 2-0 run over Co-op Bank. Ulinzi had rocked the the bankers 79-73 in Game One.

In another women’s decisive Game Three, Telkom defeated champions Kenya Ports Authority 53-49. The dockwomen led 35-26 at half-time.

Telkom’s Joyce Makungu had game-high 19 points.

Interestingly, Telkom, had trailed thoughout and their first lead at a right time (44-43) through Caroline "Majeng’’ Achieng’s effort from the free-throw line.

Telkom’s coach Thomas "Smarts’’ Olumbo said: "Our strategy was to force our opponents to foul at our right time.’’

KPA men’s team emerged winners of the inter-provincial tournament when they rocked Nairobi’s Blazers 82-47. The portsmen, had Musa Odari scoring 28 points and George

Onyango 16, to lead 43-21 at half-time.

In the women’s third position play-off, Sprite Storms had to struggle to pip John Chasimba’s Yana Milele 54-53. The duel was tight from the word go with Yana stretching to a narrow 22-21 half-time lead. Coach Chasimba said" We are happy to finish fourth on our first attempt and promise fans a better show in 2007.’’

Ulinzi however had to struggle. Co-op Bank, who badly needed a win to tie the series 1-1, had the crowd behind them tying the duel 76-76 with nine seconds left.

Powerhouse George Kamau of Co-op Bank dramatically grabbed a superb pass from Wycliffe Ochieng to nail a big basket that cut shot Ulinzi’s celebration with only two seconds to go. The soldiers were up 76-74 after guard Simon Mugambi had sunk two free-throws with nine seconds left.

TANZANIA : RBA teams battle for semi-final berths

CHANG'OMBE Boys yesterday beat Mgulani JKT in a Kili RBA league quarterfinal encounter at the Indoor stadium.
The win however did not guarantee them an outright place in the semi-final as Savio and Oilers, who also played yesterday, are real favourite to qualify for semi finals from the Western Conference.
Adam Jagame played a crucial role in Chang'ombe boys' victory scoring 19 points which made him the best scorer of the match.
By half time Chang'ombe boys, who controlled the game through out, were leading by 28 - 23 points.
Following the win, JKT who on Saturday also beat Chui, have put themselves in a better position to qualify for the semi finals.
In another quarterfinal match of the Eastern Conference teams staged at the same ground, JKT beat UDSM Outsiders 53 - 30.
Ashraf Harun linked well with his team-mate Charles Makene to give their team a deserving victory.
Ashraf scored 13 points to emerge the best scorer of the match while Makene managed 10. Deo Ishenda and John Kitula were UDSM Outsiders' leading scorers.

NIGERIA : Warriors Settle for Bronze Medal

Host team Dodan Warriors grabbed the third spot as the 2006 FIBA Africa Champions Cup ended in Lagos yesterday.
The Warriors took a see-saw game against Inter Club of Congo Brazzaville that saw the two sides exchanging leads until the Warriors finally took the game 75-66.
The Warriors started at a fast pace and led 12-0 before Inter broke its duck and made two points three minutes into the first quarter.
Shooting guard Adamu Ibrahim had a game-high 25 points, while forward Muhammed Umah-Okoro and Mbaram Omori contributed a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds each to the cause.
“We’re satisfied with the bronze medal,” Warriors coach Alex Owoicho told a crowded post-match conference. “This is our debut in Africa and to have come third is a great achievement for us.”
The Warriors missed Alex Anyaebe, who was injured in the semifinal loss to Primiero Agosto of Angola on Saturday. Carlos Almeida rammed his knee into Anyaebe’s neck, which sent him to hospital.
Anyaebe spent the night in intensive care at Surulere Hospital and he could only watch from the bench as his mates tackled Inter Club.
Inter coach Benjamin Bouzangha commended the standard of the competition, saying the two Angolan teams – Primiero Agosto and Petro Atletico – deserved to play the final.
“The refereeing needs to be improved,” Bouzabgha said. “There were so many calls that the referees made and were not right.
“FIBA Africa needs to improve the officiating,” he added.
Nigerian champion Plateau Peaks finished in seventh place after beating Zenith of Cote d’Ivoire 91-54 in a classification match yesterday.
In yesterday’s final Petro beat Primero de Agosto 76-71 to emerge champions of the competition.

KENYA : Ulinzi win straight fifth league crown

By Dann O’were

Ulinzi..............................................84

Co-op..............................................83

Ulinzi Warriors claimed their fifth successive Premier League crown when they edged Co-operative Bank of Kenya 84-83 in overtime at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

But Kenya Ports Authority’s effort to win a fifth women’s diadem was checked as they succumbed 49-53 to Telkom, hence losing the series 2-1. Ulinzi completed a 2-0 sweep of the bankers.

Ulinzi, who made history by becoming the only Kenyan club to win five titles in a row, had their intentions clear from the start by leading 24-17 and 24-17 in the opening two quarters.

But the last half belonged to Co-op who led 22-12 and 20-16. Both teams were deadlocked 76-76 in normal time. In the extra five minutes, Ulinzi led 8-7.

Ancette Wafula scored game high 29 points while Apollo, a no-factor in game one which Ulinzi won 79-73, contributed 16 points. Peter Kiganya led Co-op with 24 and John Waruru 14.

Telkom.............................................53

KPA.............................................. ...49

Four-time title-holders KPA arrived in Nairobi riding on a 1-0 lead. But things became difficult as Telkom hit them 68-57 on Friday to tie the series before going for the kill.

Telkom beat KPA 53-49, though KPA sailed away with 18-12 and 17-14 wins in the first and second quarters. Undeterred, Telkom produce the shock of the year by winning the third quarter 10-3 and the last 19-11 to carry the day.

Joyce Makungu, who scored 23 points in game two, hit another 19 points while Caroline Achieng made 17. KPA had 13 points from Irene Murambi and 12 from Gladys Wanyama.

In other matches, Sprite Storms defeated Yana Milele 54-53 to finish third as Linda Alando scored 10 points. Volnet Wanyama sunk 17 for the losers.

Kisumu Lakeside took the lower division title with a close 68-63 win over Java Warriors while Musa Odari guided KPA men back to the league as he hit 28 points in a 82-47 win over Blazers.

26 November 2006

KENYA : Lakeside drown the Warriors

Kisumu Lakeside beat Nairobi's Java Warriors 68-66 in Game Two to become the 2006 basketball Division One league champions at Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.

Nyanza's representatives Lakeside, had rocked Java Warriors 67-61 in Game One in the best-of-three series final in Kisumu a week ago. Friday's victory saw Lakeside dash Java's hopes on a 2-0 basis to claim the title on their first attempt.
Both Java and Lakeside booked a ticket to the Premier League next year by virtue of sailing into the men's Division One play-off final. Lakeside and Java had eliminated Mennonites and Strathmore University 2-0 in the semi-final.
On Friday, Java had put a scare on Lakeside, racing to a 17-16 first quarter lead thanks to Anthony Mbori, who hit eight points. Lakeside settled down immediately and after leading 21-19 in the first quarter, tied the game 32-32 at half-time.
With two minutes and 40 seconds left, Java unlocked a 62-62 tie to go up three points at 65-62 through Mbori and Richard Sinda's effort. Java however got careless and Wycliffe Jean of Lakeside was left loose to lock the game 66-66 with 10 seconds left.
Jean sealed Java's fate when he sunk the winning basket from a fast break as the buzzer sounded for a 68-66 score.

In the women's Game Two match, champions Kenya Ports Authority were denied a chance to retain the cup on a 2-0 lbasis when hosts Telkom rocked them 68-57.
The victory saw Telkom who had lost 71-59 in Game One in Mombasa tie the series 1-1 to force the decisive Game Three yesterday.
The match was delayed by five minutes after KPA protested over top ranked international referee Joseph Amoko who they wanted withdrawn. Amoko however stayed on. Telkom went dry for the six opening minutes.
After Caroline "Majeng'' Achieng opened Telkom's scoresheet with two free-throws, KPA's Ethel Wakesho, who was later ejected, added salt to an injury with a three-pointer.
KPA built a huge 16-2 lead as their supporters broke into lound drum dancing forcing Telkom coach Thomas "Smart's Olumbo to seek a referees' intervention.
Telkom bounced from the cold to settle down in the second quarter with Frida Makokha's critical basket tying the game 29-29 at half-time.
The introduction of Mical Odhiambo in the third quarter changed the game plan for Telkom as KPA tactician Anthony Ojukwu got confused after making unnecessary substitutions.
Teamwork paid dividends for Telkom who contained the pressure mounted by KPA to lock the game 34-34, 41-41 and 43-43 in the tough third quarter. Rebecca Sarange hit a celebrated free-throw which earned Telkom a hard laboured first lead at 44-43. KPA lost Wakesho on foul trouble as Fadhya Mohammed tied it again at 45-45.
Experienced Joyce Makungu was Telkom's secret weapon scoring 100 percent from the free-throw line. She contributed 14 points in the last quarter to carry the day for the Nairobi side.
Makungu shot 23 points, Eunice Ouma had 11 for Telkom while Wakesho and Miriam Awuor each connected 10 points for KPA.

25 November 2006

KENYA : Warriors take on Co-op in Game Two

By Dann O’were

National champions Ulinzi Warriors meet Co-operative Bank of Kenya in Game Two of the play-off finals at Nyayo National Stadium today.

Ulinzi beat Co-op 79-73 in a thrilling Game One at the same venue last weekend and are out to make history by closing the series and grabbing their fifth title in a row. Ancette Wafula, Warriors’ main points getter, was let loose in the previous tie and a mistake like that will see the bankers punished.

He should combine well with foul prone Victor Odendo, John Apollo, Simon Mugambi and rarely used Richard Osano to give the soldiers the edge.

Co-op, who lost to Ulinzi at the same stage last year, have a resourceful player in Peter Kiganya. Though he has not been playing well of late, he is the key in today’s match.

It will be interesting to see how John Waruru, Furaha Odari, Cliff Ochieng and the fast-rising Bobby Okwako, who hits the boards like a seven-footer, will perform against Ulinzi’s "twin towers" of Moses Shida and Vincent Ambani. Reigning women’s champions, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), are in Nairobi to face off against Telkom, a team they hit 71-59 in Mombasa a week ago.

Gladys Wanyama, declared among the best players in Africa by Fiba release, Mirriam Awuor and Ethel Wakesho, the other two KPA players, should guide their team to victory.

Telkom are all out for an upset and with Joyce Makungu, Caroline Achieng, Rebecca Sarange, Pamella Asige and Eunice Ouma, they have enough fire to cause an upset. Mouth-watering lower division finals will also see Lakeside take on Java Warriors. Though the visitors won 67-61 at home they will face a severe test today.

24 November 2006

KENYA : KCB Lions are knocked out of Africa club competition

Kenya Commercial Bank Lions bowed out of the Africa basketball club championship when they crushed 95-54 to Petro Atletico of Angola in their last preliminary round tie in Lagos on Wednesday.

As a result, KCB Lions finished fifth in the six-team Pool 'A' with four losses and only one win (69-67) against whipping boys Back of Guinea.
Petro Atletico topped Pool 'A' with an unbeaten record. The Angolans beat Back of Guinea 105-62, defeated Zenith of Cote d' Ivoire 85-37, hammered Congo's Inter-Club 96-75 before beating the Lions.
Host teams Plateau Peaks and Dodan Warriors won their last matches to earn a ticket to today's quarter-finals. Plateau Peaks beat Africa Sport of Cote d' Ivoire 84-67 while Dodan Warriors rocked Congo's Inter-Club 87-78.
Another Angolan side, Primero de Agosto also topped in Pool 'B'. They beat ABC of Cote d' Ivoire 97-53, hit ASB Onatra of DRC 92-53, crossed a century mark with a huge 101-47 victory over Africa Sports of Cote d' Ivoire and also demolished hosts Plateau Peaks of Nigeria 88-59.

SEYCHELES : PLS Hawks draw first blood against MBU Rockers


PLS HAWKS had three of their starters score in double digits in their 22-point Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup game one semifinal win against MBU Rockers on Wednesday November 22 at Victoria Gymnasium.

Coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks built their 74-52 victory in the second quarter which they won 21-9 after having been outscored 12-16 by MBU Rockers in the opening 10-minute spell.
Defending champions PLS Hawks, who won last year’s edition of the competition by sweeping Premium Cobras 2-0 (78-76 and 73-63) in the best-of-three final when being short-handed to achieve a second League and Cup double in four years, also won the third and fourth quarters 17-16 and 24-11 of Tuesday’s game.
Once again, Ugandan all-rounder Stephen Omony, who missed a number of league matches after being tied up in his home country trying to solve some personal matters, led PLS Hawks in scoring with a game-leading 17 points.
Veteran power forward Jim Domingue netted 13 points and centre Barry Baron added 12 to help PLS Hawks’ starters outscore those of MBU Rockers by two points – 44-42.
PLS Hawks’ bench also outscored that of MBU Rockers 32-10.
Roddy Fanchette and skipper Nigel Sinon got 13 points apiece for MBU Rockers and they are expected to once again guide their team in game two on Sunday to even the series and force a decisive game three.

Speaking to Sports Nation, MBU Rockers’ assistant coach Paul Denis said:
“We need a win to stay alive in the competition. To get the win, we have to step up in defence and remain concentrated on what we have to do. Losing game one has made us understand that we have to work harder. I believe that if my young team had won game one, they would have grown overconfident and it would have been a difficult situation against an experienced PLS Hawks team.”

Still without a cup to show for their efforts this year, PLS Hawks are aiming to win the SBF Cup to salvage their season and coach Juliette told Sports Nation that “the semifinal series against MBU Rockers will be over by Sunday.”
It is to note that playmaker Thomas Collie isn’t expected back in PLS Hawks’ line-up soon after having already missed two matches because of a finger injury.
Meanwhile, the first match of the other best-of-three semifinal is scheduled for tomorrow at 5.15 p.m. at Victoria Gymnasium when Premium Cobras will meet Baya.
So far this season, Men’s division 1A League champions Premium Cobras have lost three times to Baya in five meetings.
While Premium Cobras want to win the SBF Cup to complete a League and Cup double, Baya are aiming to add the second most important trophy in local basketball to the Men’s division 1A Top-of-the-table crown they won after beating the same Premium Cobras in the final.

UGANDA : FUBA picks 12 for ANOCA

EDWARD Bongomin and Brian Ssentongo will spearhead Uganda’s U-20 basketball team campaign at the ANOCA games in Nairobi.
Uganda will be looking for a maiden win at the zonal Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) games at Nyayo stadium December 1-5.
Twelve basketball youngsters will represent the country. The team departs on November 30 for the championships that will involve Zone Five countries.
Bongomin and Ssentongo have been training in South Africa under the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) before joining their teammates in a three-week non-residential camp.
Former Charging Rhinos player and Lady Bucks coach Tom Ocamringa has been appointed head coach of the men’s U-20 team.
The one-week championship that also features boxing, athletics and cycling will be staged at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums in Nairobi.
The tournament will bring together 10 countries including Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania, Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda.
The ANOCA games are targeting youngsters as a foundation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The games are being organised by the continent’s Olympic body.

The basketball squad:
D. Uwizera, E. Ateng, B. Sentongo, R. Busulwa, F. Omar, J. Etalu, S. Ssali, E. Bongomin, F. Tusiime, J. Enabu, E. Kateregga, N. Kayanja.

23 November 2006

SEYCHELLES : Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup - Premium Cobras set up semifinal showdown with Baya

THEY’VE lost three times to Baya this year including the Men’s division 1A Top-of-the-table final, but Premium Cobras have said that they want to win the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup to complete a League and Cup double.

On Tuesday at Victoria Gymnasium, Men’s division 1A League champions Premium Cobras entered the SBF Cup semifinals with an 84-60 win against RC Dynamics and their last-four opponents are Baya who lead 3-2 in the head-to-head record between the two teams this season.

Premium Cobras’ Tanzanian Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan led all scores in the quarterfinal match-up with RC Dynamics with 23 points including three treys, while starters Dominic Pillay and Nigerian Reuben Kolawole added 16 and 15 points apiece. Centre Lenny ‘Bad’ Aglaé came off the bench to net 19 points and James Beier added 14, also coming on as a substitute.

Kenneth Domingue tied Dulla’s game-high 23 points to lead RC Dynamics who will be playing 1B basketball next season after finishing at the foot of the eight-team top flight league this year.

The first match of the best-of-three semifinal between Premium Cobras and Baya is scheduled for Friday at 5.15 p.m. at Victoria Gymnasium. Game two is on Sunday November 26 and if the score is tied at one win apiece after the two games, the decider will be played on Wednesday November 29.

The other semifinal series is between MBU Rockers and PLS Hawks. They were to meet in the first match last night, while the second is on Sunday November 26. If needed, the third match will be played on Tuesday November 28.

G. G.

22 November 2006

SEYCHELLES : Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup


HOTSHOTS are in their first final this year and they badly want the women’s Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup to close the 2006 season on a good note. On Monday November 20 at Victoria Gymnasium, HotShots won game two to seal the best-of-three semifinal series against Cadettes.Unlike in game one when they almost received a slap in the face from Cadettes but still won 50-41, HotShots made a strong start in game two and built on their advantage to win 70-35.
Still without injured centre Tina Agathine, who is expected to be fit to help Myra Solin in the paint in the best-of-three final beginning Saturday December 2, HotShots, third finishers in this year’s Women’s League behind champions Stars and runners-up Bel Air, dominated all four quarters – 19-7, 25-10, 14-11 and 12-7 –, thus allowing Cadettes to score just half of their own points total.
Under the captaincy of Myra Solin, who was playing only her third match after having served a lengthy ban for not attending training with the country’s women’s selection, HotShots had all their starters scoring in double digits for 62 of the team’s 70 points.
Jenita Toussaint, who had a spell with Bel Air before moving back to HotShots this year, led all scores with a game-high 14 points including one 3-pointer. Myra Solin (13), Brenda Arissol (13), Beguitta Fontaine (12) and Samia Asba (10) were the other players in double figures for HotShots.

Anse Boileau-based HotShots, who killed off League champions Anse Etoile Stars’ double hope with a 52-41 win in the earlier round, are ready to face either Mont Fleuri or Bel Air in the final.
Speaking to Sports Nation after Monday’s game two win, skipper Solin said that “we are ready for the final and we don’t have a preference for either Mont Fleuri or Bel Air. Whoever qualify for the final, we will come out strong against them.”
As for coach Philip Arissol, he said that HotShots would have already won at least one of the titles this year had his top player Solin not been handed the lengthy ban.
With 11 individual points, Kathleena Pouponeau again led Cadettes in scoring, while the team got a combined 20 points from the four other starters – Julietta Agathine (7 points), Lilianne Biong (5), captain Zerah Fontaine (5 points) and Sandra Hoareau (3 points).
Coached by the duo of Steve Hoareau and Patricia Samynadin, Cadettes got their four other points from Shakira Port-Louis.
Meanwhile, the other women’s finalists could be decided tomorrow when Bel Air and Mont Fleuri meet in game two of their best-of-three semifinal series.
Top-of-the-table losing finalists Mont Fleuri edged Bel Air 63-62 in game one and a win tomorrow will push them into the final. As for Bel Air, they need a win to stave off elimination and force a decisive game three scheduled for Sunday at Victoria Gymnasium, starting at 2 p.m.
It is to note that with Stars being eliminated, a new women’s SBF Cup champion will be crowned at the end of the competition.

UGANDA : FUBA call off assembly

FEDERATION of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) has called off its general assembly that was meant to take place on November 26 at Lugogo.
According to a FUBA official who refused to be named, the assembly will now take place early next year.

It is the second time the assembly is being postponed, the first being last weekend. The decision is however expected not to go down well with individuals who were already warming up to contest for some of the posts.
However other sources say John Ssimbwa still wants to stay in office as FUBA boss and is only buying time.

NIGERIA : 21ST FIBA Africa Champions Club Competition: Angola did not scare us – Plateau Coach

By Olusegun Ikuesan
Inspite of its shaky start in the final round of the 21st FIBA Africa Champions Club Cup Competition, Nigeria champion, Plateau Peak basketball club booked a hard earned quarter-final ticket beating Ivorian’s Africa Sports basketball club 84-67 points.
The coach Austin Gompil tutored side won three of the four-quarter matches (24-21, 16-18, 24-18 and 20-10) to take the sail out of the reach of the Musa Adamu tutored Africa Sports who were also in contention to qualify for the quarter-finals but were not that lucky as they fell to the more determined Nigerian who put everything into the game.

Peaks who now met Petro Atletico basketball club of Angola in the first quarter-finals Friday are not deterred by the pedigree of the Angolan who are one of the favouraites in the championship.

According to the team coach, Gompil, says the Angolan does not scare them.

“The Angolan does not scare us, yes they are a good side and will be meeting an equally good side, so fans should expect a good game from us against the more favoured”.

Coach Gompil also deny the imaginary sponsorship deal purported to have been brokered between the club and RedStar Express, saying the club management knows nothing about the said sponsorship.

Speaking shortly after the Peaks picked up a quarter-final ticket at the expense of Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire, that RedStar is only trying to reap where they did not sow.



Gompil said the team have know choice than to reject the items brought by the company.


All The Results:

Day-one

ABC 80-65 ESPN
Inter Club 82-67 KCB Lions
Primero Aogosto 88-59 Plateau Peaks
Dodan Warriors 75-54 Zenith
Africa Sports 66-49 ASB Onatra
Petro Atletico 105-BACK 62

Day-2

Aogosto 92-53 Onatra
Inter Club 20-0 Back (W/O)
Warriors 105-82 KCB Lions
ESPN 98-93 Peaks
ABC 74-48 Africa Sports
Petro 85-37 Zenith

Day-3

KCB Lions 69-67 Back
Inter Club 82-44 Zenith
Aogosto 101-47 Africa Sports
Petro 98-73 Warriors
ESPN 88-60 Onatra
ABC 67-54 Peaks

Day-4

Petro 96-75 Inter Club
Peaks 87-62 Onatra
ESPN 73-49 Africa Sports
Warriors 84-73 Back
Aogosto 97-53 ABC
Zenith 59-42 KCB Lions

Day-5 Pairing/Results

Peaks 84-67 Africa Sports
Back Vs Zenith
Petro Vs KCB Lions
Warriors Vs Inter Club
ABC Vs ASB Onatra
Aogosto Vs ESPN

NIGERIA : Peaks sets up Petro q/final tie

The Plateau Peaks of Jos improved to 3-2 on Wednesday after an 84-67 win over Africa Sports of Ivory Coast in a Group B match of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup holding in Lagos to set up a quarterfinal tie with Petro Atletico of Angola.

Shooting guard Usman Abubakar paced the Peaks with 19 points, while swingman Stanley Gumut had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Plateau’s victory did not look certain until the final quarter as the Ivorians stayed close to the Peaks, which had beaten it twice in the qualifiers last September in Abidjan.

“We stayed focussed in spite of losing our first three games,” said Austin Gompil, the coach of the Nigerian champion. “We always knew we could do it. We didn’t give up.

“We had beaten Africa Sports twice and we were aware of their strength and weakness so we were primed for a win.”
Gompil praised the contribution of Scott Nnaji, a former player of the Peaks, who is now the head coach of the Nigeria Customs.
“I’m the only coach on the team and we needed somebody who has an experience of the teams we are playing and Nnaji fits the bill,” Gompil said.
The Plateau gaffer said he was not intimidated by the reputation of Petro Atletico ahead of their quarterfinal tie on Friday.

“We will fight to the end,” Gompil said. “Petro are a very good side but we have to face them. We’ll play till the end.”

Host team, Dodan Warriors, qualified for the quarterfinals on Tuesday after a come-from-behind win over BACK of Guinea in what is easily the most entertaining match of the tournament so far.
Forward Bukar Mohammed was easily the man-of-the-match, coming off the bench to score spectacular baskets after BACK surged ahead in the second quarter.
Alex Owoicho, the coach of the Warriors, said the players were lethargic in the first half due to their fractious loss to Petro Atletico the previous day.
A win over Inter Club of Congo Brazzaville in its last match on Wednesday will pit the Warriors into a likely quarterfinal tie against ESPN/AND1 of South Africa on Friday.
Twelve teams are participating in Lagos 2006, although Thursday is a rest day.
Action will resume on Friday with the two classification matches. The four quarterfinal ties will follow this.

KENYA : Java and Kisumu for Top League

Java Warriors and Kisumu Lakeside have qualified for promotion to the 2007 men's basketball Premier League.

The two clubs earned promotion to next year's top competition by virtue of qualifying for the men's Division One league play-offs final.Kisumu Lakeside got off to a bright start in Game One of the best-of-three series when they defeated Nairobi's Java Warriors 67-61 in Kisumu at the weekend. The final in a mere formality to determine the 2006 lower competition champions since the two finalists automatically qualify to the Premier League.

Java Warriors will host Kisumu Lakeside at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday in the return Game Two tie in which they must win to avoid going down 2-0. A 1-1 tie will prompt the decisive Game Three to determine the winner. Java's coach Mike Mureithi said:" We have corrected our mistakes and focused to avenge the away defeat to tie the series 1-1"
The qualification of Lakeside has returned Nyanza region in the top flight basketball after a long time. Kisumu Lakers took part in the Premier League six year's ago and after their demotion after a one stint, the region has been lacking representation.
Lakeside coached by former international, James Nyasimi proved to be a force to reckon by finishing top in the nine-team Division One league with 29 points.
Java Warriors on the other hand, Nation Correspondentmissed this year's Premier League by a whisker when International Christian Centre knocked them out 2-0 in the 2005 Division One league play-offs semi-final.
ICC later lost 2-0 to Kenyatta University Pirates in the final but both teams qualified to promotion to this year's Premier League.Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) fixtures secretary, Stephen Nyakina said they intend to hold a meeting to determine the number of teams to take part in the 2007 Premier League.

Nakuru Club and Mombasa-based Coast Youth Club pulled out of the competition in the second round reducing the number of teams from nine to seven this year.

The two teams which faced financial problems to meet the travelling expenses and accommodation for their away matches in Nairobi had indicated to be reserved their slots in the 2007 championship.

NIGERIA : Fiba Champions Cup Peaks End Chains of Defeat

Plateau Peaks of Jos redeemed their chance of qualifying for the next stage of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup with a deserved victory over ASB Onatra of DR Congo Playing before a sizeable crowd on Tuesday, the Coach Austin Gompil tutored side led through the first quarter with 7points difference.

The team inspired by skipper Stanley Gumut, went down in the second quarter to their opponent, only to lift their game on resumption of play in the tension-soaked encounter to compound the Congolese woes with 87-62 defeat.peaking on his team's determination to play in the quarter-finals, Gompil said the team will work hard to improve on their performance , adding that the lapses noticed in their previous game will be corrected.He however hinged the team's qualification on today's game against African Sports of Cote D'Ivoire, which has a Nigerian player, Sola Alayande.

Meanwhile, Alayande, who played for Union Bank basketball club of Lagos in the last Premier League season, has vowed to shock the Nigeria representatives (Peaks) when both sides clash in today.

In other matches played yesterday, Atletico Petroleos of Angola continued their unbeaten runs with 96-75 defeat over Inter Club of Congo.

21 November 2006

KENYA : ISL – Lady Buffs Hit Hillcrest To win ISL Championship


Rift Valley Academy- RVA girl’s basketball team, Lady Buffs, recovered from eight points down to upset Hillcrest School 31-28 in the finals of the International Schools League-ISL. The game, played on Friday at Rosslyn Academy, saw Hillcrest go up 8-6 in the first quarter after good plays from Barbara Kithinji, Wairimu Gitau, and Nelia Kaburu. Julissa tied the game at 8-8 for RVA early in the second quarter, however, Hillcrest maintained their form through towering and dominant center- Barbara Kithinji who destroyed RVA at both ends of the court, to give Hillcrest a 20-12 lead at the break.
The third quarter tipped off to a slow start, as both teams struggled to settle down. Hillcrest pointman-Kithinji fouled out with 3:43 remaining, as RVA took advantage of that to punish Hillcrest through Mumbi, Julissa, Chris Vinton and Esther Kivinda as they closed in within 3-points (23-26) as the buzzer went off.
With Kithinji out, RVA dominated the final quarter, as they tied the game at 28-28 after a superb baseline move by Esther Kivinda with 2:17 to go. Chris Vinton gave RVA the lead 30-28 with 1:53 to go, as the RVA Buffaloes Fans went wild. Hillcrests forward, Sally got an opportunity to tie the game after she was fouled, but missed both free throws, allowing Kivinda to seal the sweet victory for RVA at the other end. Kivinda Esther (R) had 13 points for RVA, while Barbara Kithinji had 14 points despite fouling out in the third quarter.

Hillcrest had eliminated Peponi School 54-22 in the semis, while RVA Lady Buffs had eliminated Rosslyn Academy after a 33-26 win. The RVa-Rosslyn semi had tied at 22-22; before Chris Vinton gave RVA a 24-22 lead with 6 seconds to end of the third quarter. RVA never looked back after that, outscoring Rosslyn 9-4 for the victory.

KENYA : Lions edge Guinean side

By Dann O’werre

KCB Lions beat Back of Guinea 69-67 in their second match of the African Masculine Club Championships in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Kenyans, who led 31-22 at half-time in the match played at the Sports Hall on Monday, had one of their own, Juma Ikapian, as the top scorer with 20 points while Greg Odera had 19.

Lions on Sunday fell 67-82 to Inter of Congo in their opening match.

Lions roared to a fine start leading 24-16 in the first quarter before Inter turned the tables with a 38-37 advantage at the break.

In the last half, KCB lost their rhythm after a sudden power failure that lasted for over two hours. When the match resumed, Lions trailed 12-20 in the third and 18-25 in the last.

Brash forward Odera was on top form as he led the team with 23 points, while guard Paul Oloo and centre David Otiso each nailed 10 points.

"The boys were upbeat and we shall improve our performance. As for the first match, we were fine in the first half as the scores. But things did not go well after resumption following a power black-out," said team manager and head of delegation, George Omondi "Nyundo".

Defending champions, ABC of Ivory Coast, got their campaign off to a fine start with a 80-61 win over ESPN of South Africa.

KCB are pooled in an easy group in the tournament.

Omondi, who talked to SportFest from Nigeria, said despite the loss, his inexperienced boys who also lack height, remained confident of a positive show.

"We arrived safely here and have been looking forward to the championships. The 12 teams are all here and we are rearing to go," said Omondi. KCB are pooled in Group A that includes Nigerian powerhouse Dodan Warriors, Zenith (Ivory Coast), Inter (Congo), Back (Guinea), Atletico (Angola.

In Group B are defending champions ABC (Ivory Coast), ESPN (South Africa), Onatra (DR Congo), Africa Sports (Ivory Coast), Primero Agosto (Angola) and Plateau Peak (Nigeria).

SEYCHELLES : Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup - MBU Rockers into last-four stage

MBU Rockers have a date with PLS Hawks in the best-of-three semifinals of the men’s Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup after eliminating Angels on Sunday November 19 at the Palais des Sports.

Coach Alvin Alcindor’s MBU Rockers won 83-72 against Anse Boileau-based Angels who are coached by James Joubert, a former Rocker.

MBU Rockers’ skipper Nigel Sinon led by example with 17 points which was matched by Angels’ David Boniface for a joint-game-high.

Centre Daniel Hoareau added 15 points and Elvis Idrice scored 11 to help the Rockers into the semifinals.

Darren Lesperance netted 11 points including three 3-pointers, and Norcy Agathine made a 10-point contribution in Angels’ loss.

The first match between MBU Rockers and PLS Hawks is Wednesday November 22 at Victoria Gymnasium and the second has been programmed for Sunday at the same venue.

Trophy less PLS Hawks got 31 points from Ugandan Stephen Omony as they laboured to a 69-65 win against SMB Razorbacks.

Baya, who had five players scoring in double figures – Dave Roseline (24 points including three 3-pointers), skipper-of-the-day Michael Cupidon (24 points), Robert Léon (17 points), Bernard Cherry (15 points) and Giovanni Laval (13 points) – in their 105-63 quarterfinal win against Cascade Bullets to make to the last-four stage, will only know their semifinal opponents today when Premium Cobras play RC Dynamics.

G. G.

NIGERIA : Angolan clubs can’t stop winning as Dodan Warriors taste first defeat

The Angolan teams at the 21st Africa Champions Cup for men holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos are riding roughshod over other teams and likely paving way for an all Angolan final on November 26, 2006.

Smiles in the camp of host and Nigeria’s second flagbearer, Dodan Warriors were cut shot yesterday when Petro Atletico of Angola handed Sam Ahmedu’s Warriors a 98-73 defeat moments after another Angolan team Primera De Agosto took Africa Sports of Cote d’Ivoire on a dunking lesson with a whitewash of 101-47.

The Warriors who had won their first two games before yesterday’s loss will be looking towards placing second in the group by picking maximum points in their remaining games especially today’s game against Guinea’s BACK who had abandoned a match earlier over agitation for allowances.

The Guineans were handed a two-point defeat, 69-67 by Kenya Commercial Bank in the first match of yesterday before Inter Club of Congo beat Zenith of Cote d’Ivoire 82-44.

Africa Sports who parade a Nigerian, Shola Alayande could not stop the Primera De Agosto who were shooting from every angle to lead the first quarter by 32-14 and then wrapped up the first half by 49-20. The west Africans could only manage eight points on resumption of the second half and third quarter as to the 39 points garnered by the Angolans to end that quarter at 78-28.

Coach of Plateau Peaks, Austin Gompil who had expressed high optimism of his team making great strides in the championship could be seeking to make amends when he tackles Onatra of Congo Democratic Republic today.

The championship enters day four today with the Group games from which the quarter-finalists will emerge. The final comes up on Sunday to decide which club takes over the mantle from defending Champions, ABC of Cote d’Ivoire or if they will retain the title.

NIGERIA : Warriors, ABC, Aogosto in Good Start

Defending champion of the 21st FIBA Africa Champions Club Competition holding in Lagos, ABC basketball club of Cote d'Ivoire began its title defence on a good note yesterday when it ran over ESPN basketball club of South Africa by 80-65 points of (20-10, 20-16, 27-19 and 13-20).

The defending champion was led in scoring by Guy Serge Touali with 26 points, 6 rebounds, one assist and 3 steals, while the trio of Asshe Kokoun, Aristide Yao and Blaise Amalabian added 12, 11 and 10 points respectively.
ESPN trio of Q. Denyssen, N. Mothiba and T. Okobo led their team in scoring with 13, 12 and 11 points.

Inter Club basketball club of Congo Brazaville got the better of Kenyan Commercial Bank basketball club of Nairobi with an 82-67 points win of 24-16, 13-22, 25-17 and 20-12.

The third encounter saw one of Africa basketball power-house and 2004 champion, Despotivo 1 de Aogosto of Angola outplayed Nigeria Champion Plateau Peaks 88-59.
The encounter which thousands of fans that watched the top of the billing encounter cheering the visitor who played better than their opponent.Unlike the Peaks who rely on Stanley Gumut to do all the scoring, Gumut led the floor with 30 points the Angolan scoring was done by more than three players, with the highest scorer Mayzer Alexandre who scored 16 points, the duo of Joaquim Gomes and Abdel Moussa had 14 points each, Olimpio Capriano contributed 12 points while captain Miguiel Lutonda added 10 points.

Host team, Dodan Warriors had the better part of its opponent, Zenith basketball club of Cote d'Ivoire with a 75-54 points spanking of 20-05, 26-12, 14-25 and 15-12 to give Nigerian fans something to cheer for the night.

In other matches played on day-one of the championship African Sports of Cote d'Ivoire defeated ASB Onatra of DR Congo by 66-49 points while Atletico Petroleos of Angola handed down a comprehensive beating to BACK of Guinea 105-62 points.

20 November 2006

UGANDA : Basketball players step up training

By Gloria Kyomugisha

NATIONAL basketball teams have stepped up preparation for the East and Central Africa Zone Five championships scheduled for Kigali, Rwanda.
The tournament slated for November 29 to December 4, will draw teams from Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Burundi, Zanzibar, Djibouti, Seychelles, Somalia, and Rwanda.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Boniface Okello, will lead Carroll Bisereko, Norman Blick, Isaac Afidra, Henry Malinga, Ben Komakech, Allan Tawodda, David Kiberu, Eric Malinga and Sam Obol who are likely to feature on the men’s team.

Robert Ndamagye, who led the men’s team to the regional title last year, returns as head coach, while Yunus Nkutu replaces Nimrod Kaboha as the women’s head coach.
“We are going to engage the team in various build up matches as we prepare to defend our title in Kigali,” Ndamagye said.
Uganda and Kenya are the men and women’s defending champions respectively.
The winners in both categories will represent Zone Five in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Algiers, Algeria.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has appealed for funds for the teams’ preparation ahead of the regional championship.
The local season closed two weeks ago with Nkumba Marines beating Sadolin Power to lift the MTN Basketball League crown for the second straight year. The women’s title went to Lady Bucks who defeated KCC Leopards in the playoff finals.

SEYCHELLES : Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup - Mont Fleuri hold on for game one semifinal win

WITH veteran Williana Dubois back in their line-up after they badly missed her in their 34-85 drubbing by Anse Etoile Stars in the Women’s Top-of-the-table final, Mont Fleuri blew a 12-point lead but held on to take game one of their best-of-three semifinal series last Friday at Victoria Gymnasium.
After losing the first quarter 15-21, Mont Fleuri won the second and third quarters 19-6 and 18-13 to go into the fourth and final 10-minute spell with a 12-point lead. With time running out and with Bel Air piling on the pressure, it looked as if Mont Fleuri would lose game one, but they held on after scoring 11 points – half of coach Robin Boniface’s team’s total in the decisive quarter. The final score was 63-62.
Mont Fleuri had three players – Bernadette Songor (15), Dubois (14 including two 3-pointers) and Tracey Moustache (14) – scoring in doubles, while skipper Thyra Boniface had the hot hands for Bel Air with a game-high 19 points.
She was helped in offence by Lindy Aglaé with 14 points and Lina Lestrange with 10 points.
Last year’s losing finalists Mont Fleuri are just one game away from reaching the final, while Bel Air need to double their efforts and play some tough basketball to stave off elimination.

The second match is on Thursday, while HotShots, who experienced a hard time before beating Cadettes 50-41 in the first match of the other semifinal series, can make the final today if they get a second win.

SEYCHELLES : Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup - Baya, PLS Hawks reach men’s semis

In the men’s competition, Baya and PLS Hawks progressed to the semifinal on Saturday at the Palais des Sports, while Premium Cobras won their rescheduled match against Pointe Larue Falcons on the same day to make it to the quarterfinals.

Playing without centre Lenny ‘Bad’ Aglaé and forward James Beier, Men’s division 1A champions Premium Cobras showed Men’s division 1B winners Pointe Larue that life in the top flight won’t be easy, winning 118-51.
Tanzanian Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan led Premium Cobras in scoring with 36 points, with Dominic Pillay (15 points), Brian Morel (14 points), Danny Bertin (14 points) and Christopher Camille (12 points) being the other cobras in double digits.
Skipper Kenneth Sinon (22 points) and Conrad Gabriel (14 points) were the top scoring falcons.
It is to note that the match was originally scheduled for Thursday November 16 but after heavy rains flooded the Victoria Gymnasium court, the referees decided to call it a day.
Premium Cobras play RC Dynamics tomorrow for a place in the semifinal against Baya, 105-63 winners against Cascade Bullets in Saturday’s quarterfinal.
With just six players, Baya reached the century mark for the second consecutive game after eliminating Ex-Champs on a 120-51 score in the previous round.

In the 105-63 defeat of Cascade Bullets, coach Michel Malbrook had five players scoring in double figures – Dave Roseline (24 points including three 3-pointers), skipper-of-the-day Michael Cupidon (24 points), Robert Léon (17 points), Bernard Cherry (15 points) and Giovanni Laval (13 points).

Baya won all four quarters 17-13, 29-13, 24-11 and 35-25.
Sandy Julienne netted 17 points, playmaker Kenneth Sophie 16 and centre Biko Biong 10 to lead the Bullets.
Still without a cup this year, PLS Hawks laboured into the semifinals by virtue of a 69-65 win against SMB Razorbacks.
After losing the first quarter 16-18, coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks won the other three 19-16, 16-15 and 18-16.
Ugandan Stephen Omony, who netted a season-high 45 points against Bel Air Blazers in the 123-35 previous round victory, again led PLS Hawks in scoring with 31 points, including two treys.
Former hawk Jean-Paul Camille had the hot hands for SMB Razorbacks with 19 points.
Missing playmaker Thomas Collie with an injured finger and Rodney Lozé, PLS Hawks are to meet the winners of Sunday’s (November 19) match between MBU Rockers and Angels.

SEYCHELLES : Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup - Baya, PLS Hawks reach men’s semis

In the men’s competition, Baya and PLS Hawks progressed to the semifinal on Saturday at the Palais des Sports, while Premium Cobras won their rescheduled match against Pointe Larue Falcons on the same day to make it to the quarterfinals.

Playing without centre Lenny ‘Bad’ Aglaé and forward James Beier, Men’s division 1A champions Premium Cobras showed Men’s division 1B winners Pointe Larue that life in the top flight won’t be easy, winning 118-51.
Tanzanian Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan led Premium Cobras in scoring with 36 points, with Dominic Pillay (15 points), Brian Morel (14 points), Danny Bertin (14 points) and Christopher Camille (12 points) being the other cobras in double digits.
Skipper Kenneth Sinon (22 points) and Conrad Gabriel (14 points) were the top scoring falcons.
It is to note that the match was originally scheduled for Thursday November 16 but after heavy rains flooded the Victoria Gymnasium court, the referees decided to call it a day.
Premium Cobras play RC Dynamics tomorrow for a place in the semifinal against Baya, 105-63 winners against Cascade Bullets in Saturday’s quarterfinal.
With just six players, Baya reached the century mark for the second consecutive game after eliminating Ex-Champs on a 120-51 score in the previous round.

In the 105-63 defeat of Cascade Bullets, coach Michel Malbrook had five players scoring in double figures – Dave Roseline (24 points including three 3-pointers), skipper-of-the-day Michael Cupidon (24 points), Robert Léon (17 points), Bernard Cherry (15 points) and Giovanni Laval (13 points).

Baya won all four quarters 17-13, 29-13, 24-11 and 35-25.
Sandy Julienne netted 17 points, playmaker Kenneth Sophie 16 and centre Biko Biong 10 to lead the Bullets.
Still without a cup this year, PLS Hawks laboured into the semifinals by virtue of a 69-65 win against SMB Razorbacks.
After losing the first quarter 16-18, coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks won the other three 19-16, 16-15 and 18-16.
Ugandan Stephen Omony, who netted a season-high 45 points against Bel Air Blazers in the 123-35 previous round victory, again led PLS Hawks in scoring with 31 points, including two treys.
Former hawk Jean-Paul Camille had the hot hands for SMB Razorbacks with 19 points.
Missing playmaker Thomas Collie with an injured finger and Rodney Lozé, PLS Hawks are to meet the winners of Sunday’s (November 19) match between MBU Rockers and Angels.

KENYA : Champions Ulinzi Overcome Co-op Bank


Kenya’s reigning basketball champions Ulinzi Warriors registered a big game one win over Co-operative Bank on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the best of three finals series.
In what has been termed as one of the hottest league games this year, veteran guard Ancette Wafula led champions Ulinzi Warriors with 26 points as they overcame a fighting Co-operative Bank side to register a 79-73 game one win. The game tipped off to an explosive start as the teams traded quick baskets at both ends, before Ulinzi went up 13-06 with 6:50 to go in the first quarter. Co-op recovered through Peter Kiganya, Furaha Odari, and Wycliffe Ochieng to come within a point (21-22) with 1:46 remaining, with Odari tying the game at 23-23 on the fast break seconds before the buzzer went off. Both teams were settled in the second quarter, playing a more defensive game as they once again tied at 32-32 (4:55) and 33-33 (3:50). Victor Odendo, Ancette Wafula and Vincent Ambani led the Warriors attack, while Kiganya, John Waruru and Johnson Karonji, who had another superb weekend, got big-plays for Co-op, including Karonji’s 3-pointer that put them at 37-38 with 2 seconds to the half. Co-op Bank came into the third quarter all-fired up, with Kiganya, Odari, Wycliffe Ochieng, and Daniel Gaiko leading the pack as they took the ball to Warriors territory, tying the game three times (at 43, 45, and 48) before going up 50-49 after Odari’s basket with 3:17 remaining. Kiganya made it 52-50 before Ochieng extended their lead after sinking back-to-back 3-pointers for a 58-54 lead at the end of the quarter. The final quarter was action packed, as Co-op maintained their offensive plays over Warriors, going up 70-61; their biggest lead in the game, after big-plays from Gaiko, Ochieng and Odari with 5:17 remaining, prompting Ulinzi’s Coach Eliud Nzioka to take a time out. On resumption, the never-say-die Warriors turned the tables around through John Apollo, Ambani and Tom Opar who sunk a crucial 3-pointer for a 69-70 score line with 4:02 to go, before sinking a second one 32 seconds later to give Ulinzi a 72-70 lead. However, their lead was short-lived as Kiganya got a quick basket at the other end, tying the game at 72-72 with 3:11 to go. John Apollo then put Ulinzi ahead for good, with Wafula getting quick baskets including a reverse dunk that sealed the victory at 79-73 with 11 seconds to go. Wafula shot 26 points, Odendo 13 and Opar 12 for Ulinzi, while Kiganya had 16, Ochieng 14, Odari 11 and Gaiko 8 for Co-op Bank. Game two is on next weekend.

Finals Series: Ulinzi Warriors Lead 1-0

18 November 2006

UGANDA : FUBA polls postponed

By Gloria Kyomugisha

POLLS to elect a new FUBA executive that were set for today have been postponed to November 26 at Lugogo.
The basketball Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been delayed to allow the federation technical committee select the national teams at the YMCA courts today.
The teams will represent Uganda in the upcoming East and Central Africa Senior challenge Cup in Kigali, Rwanda.
Incumbent John Ssimbwa and Peter Mubanda are running for chairmanship, while Elliot Bagenda and Ambrose Tashobya vie for the secretariat.

SEYCHELLES : HotShots take series lead

AFTER killing off League champions Anse Etoile Stars’ double hope, HotShots probably thought they were in for an easy ride against Cadettes in the best-of-three women’s semifinals of the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup.

On Tuesday at Victoria Gymnasium, HotShots nearly received a slap in the face as Cadettes, coached by the duo of Steve Hoareau and Patricia Samynadin, played one of their best ever matches.

Anse Boileau-based HotShots, who were playing without centre Tina Agathine, won 50-41 and they are a match away from reaching the final.

But Cadettes have vowed to make the series go the limit by winning game two on Monday November 20.

Today, Bel Air, who eliminated Juniors, play Mont Fleuri in game one of the other best-of-three semifinal series.

It is to note that a new women’s champions will be crowned this year as last year’s winner Stars lost to HotShots in the earlier round.

The last quarterfinalists of the men’s competition were to be known last night when Premium Cobras were to meet Pointe Larue Falcons. But sudden heavy rains flooded the court forcing the organisers to postpone the match to Saturday at 2 p.m. The winners of the rescheduled match will play RC Dynamics in the quarterfinal on Tuesday November 21.

The other three quarterfinal matches will be played this weekend. On Saturday at the Palais des Sports, PLS Hawks, 123-35 winners against Bel Air Blazers will play SMB Razorback at 3.45 p.m. and Baya, victors on a 120-51 score against Ex-Champs, will meet Cascade Bullets at 5.30 p.m.

In Sunday’s only match at 3 p.m. at the Palais des Sports. Angels will play MBU Rockers who eliminated Falcons Youth on an 86-41 score.

G. G.

NIGERIA : African Champions Cup Begins

The stage is now set for this year's Africa Champion of Champions Basketball Championship which dunks off today inside the Indoor Hall of the national stadium Lagos.
The tournament local organizing committee (LOC) Chairman, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd), confirmed that all logistics have been put in place to ensure a successful host of the championship.
Oracle Content & Collaboration

Ahmedu, who is also the coordinator of Dodan Warriors Basketball Club, one of Nigeria's representative in the competition assured that the tournament will be a memorable one in the history of basketball competitions in Africa
"Everything is set. We are only waiting for the opening day. The teams have arrived and the venue is in top shape", said Ahmedu.Warriors are the host team of the nine-day competition among the best basketball -playing clubs in Africa, with Nigeria champions Plateau Peaks also taking part after picking their ticket at a qualifying tournament in Abidjan.

Other participating teams are Cup holders ABC of Cote d'Ivoire, Africa Sports and ZENITH also of Cote d'Ivoire, Primero dos Agosto and Petro Atletico both of Angola, Inter Clube of DR Congo, Onatra of Congo Brazzaville and BACK of Guinea, while ESPN of South Africa and Commercial Bank of Kenya were handed wild card entries.
Meanwhile, a pre-match meeting of the LOC and the twelve participating teams will hold today at the Indoor sports Hall, National Stadium, Lagos.

17 November 2006

NIGERIA : We will not let Nigeria down Peaks coach boast


The head coach of the Nigerian champion, Plateau Peaks, Austin Gompil says his lads are up to the challenge of the 21st FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men, which starts in Lagos on Friday.

The Peaks has impressed at home and abroad in the past 12 months, culminating in its victory in the 2006 Vmobile Premier Basketball League and the qualifiers for the Champions Cup in Abidjan, and Gompil says the lads want to continue on that upward trajectory.

“We’re here to win the Champions Cup,” Gompil said on Thursday after his team’s arrival from its Jos base. “With the kind of training we went through, I’m sure the title is ours.”

Although Plateau, just like the host team, Dodan Warriors is making its debut in Africa, butGompil says he has the players to do well.

“We (the Peaks and the Warriors) will not let Nigerians down,” he said. “The Warriors are a good team too.

“We know it’s a big task ahead of us but we’re determined to do well.”

Gompil said he expected the toughest opposition to come from the Angolan teams who will be paraded some of the most tested players in the championship.

To mitigate Plateau’s inexperience on the continent, Gompil said he had a team keeping tabs on the teams in the finals, which are holding from November 17 through 26.

There had been fears over the participation of the Peaks because of the impeachment of Joshua Dariye on Monday as the governor of Plateau State.

The Peaks will feature the likes of Jeffrey Lohor, Kelvin Nambam, Stanley Gumut, Chidozie Nwoye, Abubakar Usman and Femi Emmanuel in the competition.

As at Thursday, 11 of the 12 teams in the finals have either arrived or schedule to arrive for Africa’s biggest club basketball tournament, this leaves only Onatra Kauka of Congo DR as the team the organisers are expecting.

“I’m sure they will come in before deadline day,” said Sam Ahmedu, the Chaiman of the tournament Main Organising Committee and Coordinator of Dodan Warriors.

The teams scheduled to arrive on Thursday are ABC, Zenith and Africa Sports, all from Ivory Coast; Primero Agosto of Angola; and BACK of Guinea.

Ahead of the pre-match meeting on Friday, a host of high profile musicians like Tu Face, Black Face and Sound Sultan, will perform at the opening ceremony in the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos

KENYA : KPA ordered to play final today

The Kenya Ports Authority women basketball team has been directed to play their playoff final match against Telkom Kenya today or lose the first leg match on technicality.

Kenya Basketball Federation fixtures secretary Steve Nyakina said it was the responsibility of the KBF to draw the fixtures, adding that the assertion by KPA that they could not play today was unacceptable.

"We have been drawing the fixtures since the year began and no team has raised any queries. We are now wondering why KPA should complain when we programme them to play Telkom on Friday instead of Saturday," Nyakina said.

Nyakina said KPA had protested against the KBF decision to fix their match for today instead of Saturday, claiming that the KPA gymnasium was booked.

Mombasa Baptist

"We have received KPA’s letter stating that they will not be able to play on Friday and want the match to remain on Saturday or be rescheduled to Sunday," he said, but was quick to point that the match would be played at the Mombasa Baptist ground if the gym was not available.

Nyakina said Telkom Kenya had made all the travel arrangements including booking the accommodation, all which, he said, would go to waste if the match is put off.

KBF vice-chairman Henry Shihemi said the referees for the match had already been dispatched to Mombasa and advised the dockers to take to the field or lose the match.

The league fixtures, Shihemi said, had to be juggled with to fit the situation available adding that the situation could have been even different had KCB Lions, who are currently in Nigeria for the Africa Masculine championships, qualified for the finals.

Nairobi Hospital

In another development, Ronnie Owino, the national basketball teams men’s and women’s head coach, has been admitted to the Nairobi Hospital.

According to women head coach Thomas Smarts Olumbo, who visited Owino at the hospital on Wednesday, the national tactician had a swollen finger and was supposed to be operated on.

UGANDA : Fuba elections for Nov.26

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) will hold its elective general assembly on November 26 at Lugogo. Fuba official Yunus Nkutu confirmed the development to Daily Monitor yesterday.

At the assembly, delegates from different clubs and affiliated associations will elect new office bearers for a two-year term. Most delegates however claim that up to now they have not received any communication concerning the general assembly.

Sadolin Power head coach Peter Mubanda has said he will contest for the presidency while players under their umbrella organization, Uganda Basketball Players Association (UBPA) are courting Warriors' Ambrose Tashobya to come in as general secretary.

Other posts up for grabs are vice chairman, organising secretary, treasurer and publicity secretary. All incumbents are expected to seek re-election though they have not publicly declared their intentions.

The current executive has John Ssimbwa as president assisted by Peninah Kabenge. Elliot Bagenda is general secretary, Edmund Lumu organising secretary, Kigozi Kafumbe publicity secretary and Susan Kafumbe treasurer.

Fuba is meanwhile struggling to secure funds for the national team currently in training.

KENYA : Photo from Ulinzi x KCB


Kenya Commercial Bank’s (KCB) Patrick Kirui fights for the ball against Ulinzi’s Vin Ambani and John Apollo (with ball) at Nyayo National Stadium last week. KCB start their continental matches today.

16 November 2006

NIGERIA : Peaks, Warriors Return for Lagos 2006

Plateau Peaks and Dodan Warriors, the two Nigerian teams participating in the 21st FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men tagged Lagos 2006 are scheduled to arrive in Lagos for the competition today, a member of the Main Organising Committee for the championship said yesterday.
Although there were initial doubts about the fate of Plateau Peaks, over the political crisis in the state, the organisers confirmed that the team would hit the Lagos venue of the championship this morning. Peaks are in the competition as the Nigerian champions but played through the qualifiers in Cote d’ Ivoire last month.
Also, hosts team Dodan Warriors would return to Lagos for the competition from Cotonou, where they featured in an international friendly tournament last weekend and trained for the championship.
The Commercial Bank of Kenya swelled the number of teams that have arrived for the event to four yesterday, although a fifth team, ABC of Cote d’Ivoire, was scheduled to land in Lagos last night on an Ethiopian Airline flight.
A member of the Main Organising Committee for Lagos 2006, Alhaji Danladi Yaro told a news conference in Lagos that all hands were on deck for the organisation of a successful competition.
Yaro said the pre-match meeting slated for 5pm tomorrow would determine the technical details of the competition.
Yaro said arrangements had been put in place for tight security in the National Stadium during the Champions Cup, which Nigeria is hosting for the first time.
“The Nigeria Basketball Federation is fully behind the Warriors,” Segun Akinlotan, the Secretary-General of the NBBF added.
And as part of the crowd control measure, the gate fee has been pegged at a flat rate of N100 for the preliminary round.
Cote d’ Ivoire has three teams, including defending champions ABC, in the competition, while Nigeria and Angola are being represented by two teams each. Kenya, South Africa, Congo (DR and Brazzaville) and Guinea all have one team each.

By Pius Ayinor

UGANDA : Abe Linc tourney on

BARELY three weeks after the conclusion of MTN Basketball League, players will be back in action for the annual Abe Linc International tournament. The event that enters its 14th edition begins on December 4 and ends on Sunday 10.

Tournament organisers, Rhino Athletics Club have already dispatched invitation letters to both local and foreign clubs.
Mande Juruni, a member of Rhino Athletics Club confirmed to Daily Monitor that everything is already in place.
"We hope this will be the biggest tournament of all time in Uganda. For the development of the game in Uganda we call upon all local clubs to take part," said Juruni.
Juruni also revealed that from December 4 to 7, there would be clinics for youngsters and coaches. Registration fee for foreign teams is US$50 and Shs50, 000 for local teams.
Games will be played at YMCA Wandegeya courts and Makerere University Pool court. Expected to take part are teams from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and top local sides.

KENYA : Challenge Cup pushed to next year in Kigali

By Dann O’were

The East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup slated for Kigali, Rwanda later this month has been pushed forward to January.
The weeklong regional championship was to start on November 27 to December 3 but will now be held from January 27 to February 3. The venue remains Kigali, Rwanda.
The change of date was done at the request of continental body-Fiba Africa. Regional body assistant secretary Ronny Owino said that Fiba Africa top officials want to attend this fast growing tournament only if the dates are accommodating.
The officials will be in Nigeria attending the Africa Club championships that starts on Friday and it would not have been possible to oversee both events when they are played at the same time.
"Fiba Africa told us they would attend the regional championships only if the dates were pushed forward as it clashed with the club championships in Lagos," Owino said.
He said that Fiba Africa officials would also conduct elections for Zone Five officials. Former Kenya Basketball Federation chairman Morris Aluanga has expressed interest in the post of chairman.
The championship in Kigali will be used as a Zone Five qualifier for the All Africa Games in Algeria next July and will parade nations like Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Eritrea, Somali and host Rwanda.
At the same time Owino, who is also the national team head coach said the change in dates was a blessing in disguise as it gives the teams more time to train.
"As you can see, the national teams’ training has not gone on well. But now with the Premier League ending and the show pushed forward, we would be able to train well for the show," said Owino.
Kenya women’s team will be defending the title they won in Kampala, Uganda last year. Uganda will be defending the men’s title.
Meanwhile, Kenya meet Tanzania in the Anoca Under 18 championships that starts at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, Nairobi on December 1.
In the draws released by the organisers on Wednesday, Kenya have been pooled in group A alongside Tanzania, Eritrea, Burundi and Ethiopia.
They have avoided an earlier meeting with powerhouse Egypt who are grouped in pool B with minnows Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Somalia.
The opening match of the show will pit Uganda against Rwanda at 8am with the final match being held on December 4 at 5.30 pm.
The event has been sponsored by Anoca and will include other disciplines like boxing and cycling.

KENYA : Warriors Face Co-Op Bank in Play-Off Final

Ulinzi Warriors will meet Co-operative Bank of Kenya in this season's men's basketball play-offs final at Nyayo Stadium this weekend.

The soldiers booked their finals ticket after eliminating rivals, Kenya Commercial Bank Lions 2-1 in a best-of-three series semi-final last Sunday.
The final, to be played on a best-of-three series basis, will begin next Saturday at 4pm.
Ulinzi Warriors, out to write history by becoming the first team to win the title for five straight years, beat Lions 90-83 in the tight decisive Game Three. The teams had tied at 1-1, prompting Game Three to determine the semi-final winner.
Co-op Bank had earlier knocked out Tigers of USIU-A, 2-0 (76-63 and 73-61) in another semi-final tie.
Lions, who lost to Ulinzi in all semi-finals since 2002, had won Game One, 74-70. But the soldiers recovered to beat the bankers 68-53 in Game Two on Saturday.
In the make-or-break Sunday tie, forward Ancette Wafula connected well with veteran Stanley Ndishu and Moses "Chopper" Shida.
Greg Odera provided 14 points in the critical final quarter, with David Otiso firing a big three-pointer as Lions worried Ulinzi, beating them 31-24 in the fourth quarter.
Victor Odendo scored 11 points for Ulinzi. Otiso had 23, Kirui shot 16 and Odera 14 points for Lions.
In an international build-up match at the same venue, Rwanda men's team wound up its tour on a low note when they went down to their hosts, Kenya, 56-47.
Vallerie Uwimana and Elonoi Munyengaju of Rwanda had given Kenya an early scare, giving the visitors a 14-11 first quarter lead.
Kenya, coached by Gitau Waringo, then recovered to lead 12-10 in the second quarter. Rwanda had earlier on squeezed a narrow 24-23 half-time lead.
On resumption, the two teams locked twice on 35-35 and 37-37 before Nelson Njau, Peter Kiganya and Richard Osano hit 12 points without reply as Kenya went up for good at 51-38.
Kiganya scored 16 points, Njau had 12 for Kenya while Kimanuka had 10 and Umuhire 12 for Rwanda.
In other matches, Rwanda men's team beat Tigers 53-48 before going down 69-50 to Nairobi Combined on Saturday.The Rwanda women's side beat Flames of USIU-A 54-25 and lost 49-43 to Yana.

The two Rwanda teams, which returned home on last Sunday night by road, were in Kenya for a series of friendly matches in preparation for the regional Senior Challenge Cup to be held in Kigali from November 27.

Meanwhile, KCB Lions will leave the country tonight for Nigeria where they will represent Kenya in the Africa club championship.

KENYA : Six U.S.-Based Players Get National Team Call-Up

Six US-based players have been named in the national women's basketball team for the All Africa Games, to be held in Algiers next June.

Morris Aluanga, the All Africa Games general team manager, said the six will boost the Kenya team, which failed to reach the semi-finals during the last championships in Nigeria.
Aluanga said Kenya will call-up the former Mombasa High School quartet of Miriam Wandanda, Josephine Achieng Owino and Beatrice Awino Oyenje, at Union University in Tennessee, and Jackline Achieng Wasuda, in Texas.
Also targeted is talented guard Rose Ouma, at Lewis and Clerk in Illinois, and Maurine Obudho, who is at Cisco University.
Aluanga said the six will join the national team training camp one month before the championships to allow them time to blend with the other players.
"We are in the process of writing letters to the universities, seeking the players' release," said Aluanga.
"We hope that all will work according to our plans as we seek to win Kenya's first ever continental title in women's basketball," he said.
Aluanga, also the national basketball team's fund-raising committee chairman, said his committee will request the government to fund the players' travel.
However, the committee will also launch a fund-raising initiative to fund the team's expenses..
The national basketball team head coach, Ronnie Owino, said the decision to fly in the US-based players was good news from the KB. He predicted Kenya would win the All Africa Games.
"With such talent abroad, there is no way Kenya would fail to win the continental title," Owino said.
Beatrice Awino, who is the tallest player at Union University, has fitted in well with the team while Josephine Achieng has won several regional titles after joining her university two years ago.

UGANDA : Okello Wins 2006 MVP Accolade

BONIFACE Okello was named the 2006 Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the MTN Basketball League trophy presentation ceremony at Lugogo on Sunday.

Okello had a dominant season, leading Nkumba-Marines with 15 points and five stealson average, on their way to retaining the championship.
He (nine votes) overcame stiff competition from teammates Salim Ali (seven) and former MVP Norman Blick (with five) who were also vying for the prestigious accolade.
Marines not only won a trophy and 22 gold medals, but were also awarded a sh1.5m cash prize and 18 mobile phones from the sponsors, MTN.
Lady Bucks guard Flavia Oketcho was the recipient of the 2006 women's MVP accolade after leading her team to their seventh league title. The team also got a sh1.5m cash prize, 18 phones and 22 gold medals from MTN.
Stephen Okias (Warriors) and Frances Nabulobi (Bucks) defended the individual top scoring awards they won last year. They averaged 17 points per game to finish with an accumulated 417 points and 406 points respectively during the 2006 season.
Falcons and A-1 Challenge who anchored the best defenses and conceded the least points in the men and women's leagues respectively, were named the 2006 defensive teams of the year.

Knight Riders and KIU Rangers who finished second and fourth in the Yello Go and women's leagues respectively, were named the recipients of the 2006 Most Improved Team awards while Kabojja SS and MUK-Cubs finished as Most Disciplined teams.

MVP (men): B. Okello
MVP (women): F. Oketcho

Most Improved Team

Men: Knight Riders
Women: KIU Rangers

ZIMBABWE : Harare Basketball League Side Raiderz Still to Taste Defeat

ALL seems to be going on well for Harare Basketball League side Raiderz who are dominating both the men and women leagues, writes Paul Munyuki.

After three weeks of action, the sides, coached by Ngoni Mukukula, are in pole positions without a defeat in their games.
At the weekend the men's side dismissed Golden Spurs 85-39 while their female counterparts overpowered Highfield Assassins.
Mukukula -- a dedicated coach with a passion for his game -- believes their success is all because of hard work.
"We have been working hard and as you know if you work hard you will reap the results of your work.
"The good thing is that we are working as a team.
"In the boys' team we now have quick guards and that is where I believe we managed to beat Jewels but on the other hand Jewels had stronger forwards and we faced problems, especially against Artwell Dzikiti.
"It might be too early for us to judge but the games will definitely get tougher as the season progresses because we are still in the early stages of the season and other teams will also be watching us," said Mukukula.
He, however, conceded that the face of the league has changed this year following the dissolving of some of the teams that used to boost competition in the HBA
"The league has definitely changed because teams like Cameo, Celtics have since dissolved and these sides added a lot of competition in the league.
"But there is still a long way to go in the games because we are yet to meet some of the giants because Kingdom Cavaliers, Varsity Leopards and Mufakose Hawks also play good basketball," said Mukukula.
Their victory against rivals and pre-season favourites -- Jewels -- was sweet.
"Jewels have been a tricky side to us in the past season or two and they had got into our minds and this made it difficult for us to beat them.
"But we told ourselves that we needed them out of our minds and we went into the game not thinking of what they were going to do to us but what we wanted to do to them and we conquered.
"Cavaliers are also a quick side and we have to work hard so that when we meet them we will be prepared for anything.
"The women's side is having a new lease of life and they are also working hard and the results are now being confirmed.
"They are training hard with the boys and that has transformed the team into what they are now."

Results
A-League: JBC 71, UZ Stars 50; Kingdom Cavaliers 26, Mbare Bulls 20; City Wolves 44, Varsity Leopards 56; Stormers 46, Maxifix Pross 48; UZ Stars 61, Mbare Bulls 46; Golden Spurs 39, Raiderz 85.

B-League: Drifters 57, Pistons 55; Nuggets 46, Sigauke 70.

Women: JBC 78, UZ Stars 34; Pistons 35, UZ Stars 37; Highfield Assassins 11, Raiderz 114.

15 November 2006

KENYA : Warriors face Co-op Bank in play-off final

Ulinzi Warriors will meet Co-operative Bank of Kenya in this season's men's basketball play-offs final at Nyayo Stadium this weekend.

The soldiers booked their finals ticket after eliminating rivals, Kenya Commercial Bank Lions 2-1 in a best-of-three series semi-final last Sunday.

The final, to be played on a best-of-three series basis, will begin next Saturday at 4pm.

Ulinzi Warriors, out to write history by becoming the first team to win the title for five straight years, beat Lions 90-83 in the tight decisive Game Three. The teams had tied at 1-1, prompting Game Three to determine the semi-final winner.

Co-op Bank had earlier knocked out Tigers of USIU-A, 2-0 (76-63 and 73-61) in another semi-final tie.

Lions, who lost to Ulinzi in all semi-finals since 2002, had won Game One, 74-70. But the soldiers recovered to beat the bankers 68-53 in Game Two on Saturday.

In the make-or-break Sunday tie, forward Ancette Wafula connected well with veteran Stanley Ndishu and Moses "Chopper" Shida.

Greg Odera provided 14 points in the critical final quarter, with David Otiso firing a big three-pointer as Lions worried Ulinzi, beating them 31-24 in the fourth quarter.

Victor Odendo scored 11 points for Ulinzi. Otiso had 23, Kirui shot 16 and Odera 14 points for Lions.

In an international build-up match at the same venue, Rwanda men's team wound up its tour on a low note when they went down to their hosts, Kenya, 56-47.

Vallerie Uwimana and Elonoi Munyengaju of Rwanda had given Kenya an early scare, giving the visitors a 14-11 first quarter lead.

Kenya, coached by Gitau Waringo, then recovered to lead 12-10 in the second quarter. Rwanda had earlier on squeezed a narrow 24-23 half-time lead.

On resumption, the two teams locked twice on 35-35 and 37-37 before Nelson Njau, Peter Kiganya and Richard Osano hit 12 points without reply as Kenya went up for good at 51-38.

Kiganya scored 16 points, Njau had 12 for Kenya while Kimanuka had 10 and Umuhire 12 for Rwanda.

In other matches, Rwanda men's team beat Tigers 53-48 before going down 69-50 to Nairobi Combined on Saturday.

The Rwanda women's side beat Flames of USIU-A 54-25 and lost 49-43 to Yana.

The two Rwanda teams, which returned home on last Sunday night by road, were in Kenya for a series of friendly matches in preparation for the regional Senior Challenge Cup to be held in Kigali from November 27.

Meanwhile, KCB Lions will leave the country tonight for Nigeria where they will represent Kenya in the Africa club championship.

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