Basketball in Africa

By PHILIP ONYANGO

Desportivo from Mozambique successfully defended their Africa women’s club championship title when they defeated Angola’s Primero de Agosto 70-63 in a thrilling final at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.

In what was a repeat of last year’s final in Maputo that saw Desportivo edge out Primero to wrest the trophy from the Angolans, the two teams knew each other very well and took too long to settle as fans who filled the gymnasium to capacity urged them on.
After a two-minute stalemate, Desportivo’s inspirational guard, Deolinda Ngulela drew the first blood when she penetrated the Primero defence for a simple lay-up.
Milcenete Nasicella, who has had a great championship, replied with a three pointer for the Angolans as the teams continued to exchange the lead.
Another three-point shot from Nasicella helped Primero to take a very temporary 6-3 lead which was immediately cut by Yolanda Jones whose three-point play evened the scores.
Desportivo’s bench’s time-out changed his team’s fortunes and as they scored six baskets without a reply to take an 18-10 first quarter lead.
The second quarter was evenly contested with both teams engaging in what could be seen as a shooting contest.
It was, however, Primero who oustscored their opponents 16-11 as the scores stood at 29-26 at the break.

Unassailable lead

Desportivo, who had Jones and Ngulela to thank for the victory, won the game in the third quarter when they outscored their opponents 26-17 to build a huge, unassailable lead.
De Agosto, who had to play without Camara Fatouma who was strectchered out with a knee injury in the third quarter, took the fourth quarter 20-15 but that was not enough to help them win.
Jones scored a game high 27 points, Aleia Rachide had 17 points while Sokhni Lisky and Ngulela contributed 11 points each for Desportivo while the Angolans saw Nassicella score 19 points while Obaye Asion managed 13 points.

First Bank from Nigeria finished third after beating ABC from Cote d’ Ivoire 64-53 in the third and fourth playoffs.