Your weekly dose of FIBA Africa Zone 5 News: Embark on a basketball journey across East Africa from Kenya's domestic league news, huge signings in Rwanda, BAL action in Egypt, the electrifying courts of Uganda, and more.
Last Updated on
April 18, 2024
Kendi Mwiti
Staff Writer
Kepler Basketball Club has made two additions to their ranks, roping in US-based shooting guard Emile Kazeneza and Burundian star point guard Guibert Nijimbere.
Guibert Nijimbere during the 2023 AfroCAN Qualifiers
Currently sixth on the 10-team league table, the team believes the arrivals of Nijimbere and Kazeneza can boost their chances of finishing the top four hence qualifying for the playoffs on their debut season in top-flight basketball.
The second round of the league begins in May.
FIBA has provisionally suspended the Burundi Basketball Federation (FEBABU) following the withdrawal of Burundian champions Dynamo from the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in March.
FIBA accuses FEBABU of backing Dynamo in the fiasco that saw the national champions refuse to play their BAL games with the 'Visit Rwanda' logos on their BAL-provided uniforms on display.
The City Oilers have their eyes firmly set on making it to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoff slated for May in Rwanda.
As they head for the Nile Conference qualifiers, slated for April 19-28 in Cairo, Egypt, the nine-time Ugandan champions are under the tutelage of Moroccan Karim Nesba who takes over from long-serving Mandy Juruni.
The Ugandan champions played in the first round of the 2022 BAL Qualifying Tournaments, finishing the group stage 2-0 but eventually withdrew before the start of the Elite 16.
In the 2023 BAL season, after beating Urunani in the third-place game of the Road to BAL, the Oilers finished sixth in the Nile Conference, winning one game out of five to miss out on the Playoffs.
JKL Lady Dolphins concluded their National Basketball League first-round business with a commanding 72-58 victory over JT Lady Jaguars over the weekend night to stay top of the pile halfway through the regular season.
Henry Malinga’s charges boast a 10-1 record, the best in the women’s division, and will start the second round as the team to beat.
In the men’s league, defending champions City Oilers, with a 10-1 record, are top of the log halfway through the regular season.
Egypt’s Al Ahly, reigning champions of the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL), entered the 2024 tournament as one of the favourites. Their resounding 80-65 victory over Senegal’s AS Douanes in the previous final cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with in African basketball.
Participating in the Nile Conference, Al Ahly aims for a playoff berth to defend their title. Their opponents in the group phase include Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya), Bangui Sporting Club (Central African Republic), and City Oilers (Uganda).
In a bid to enhance the quality of basketball officiating in South Sudan, FIBA organized a FIBA L1 Referee clinic that ran from 12 to 15 April. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to equip young referees with the necessary skills and knowledge to foster the development of basketball at all levels.
The significance of the clinic extends beyond the realm of sports, as it holds the potential to positively impact the broader socio-cultural landscape. By promoting values such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience, basketball becomes a vehicle for social cohesion and youth empowerment, transcending barriers and inspiring positive change
African women’s 3x3 champions, Kenya, continued their preparation for the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2 2024 in Utsunomiya, Japan next month with a massive performance in France.
The Evelyne Kedogo-coached side emerged victorious in a 6-nation tournament in Paris, France on the weekend. The side was victorious against St.Dennis 21-3, Comoros 21-9, Lille 21-12
Kenya will face Asian champions Australia, powerhouses Canada and Netherlands in a stacked Pool B whose matches run from 3 to 5 May.
[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA, Al Ahly, South Sudan Basketball Federation]
