FIBA Africa Zone 6 Weekly Review: 15/10/2024

FIBA Africa Zone 6 Weekly Review: 15/10/2024

Zambia

The Zambian Super League continues as the playoffs draw closer. Munali Suns, desperate for a win to maintain their playoff spot, took on Huskies. After 4 tough quarters, Munali Suns managed to pull away and claim a 60-56 to stay in second position. Green Buffaloes who are a spot outside of the playoff spot outclassed NAPS Hurricanes 62-44 to win and keep their playoff hopes alive. Log leaders, Matero Magic, continued their run of dominance and it proved right when they defeated Red Arrows by 13 in a 74-61 victory.

In the other games, UNZA Pacers beat Matero Warriors 87-68 and Bulldogs defeated KSM Giants 62-49. In the Women's League, Green Buffaloes put on a show after they defeated Phoenix 109-40 to maintain their position atop the log. Lusaka Basket Queens continued to put pressure behind the log leaders when they defeated NAPSA Breeze 63-44. They still stand a chance to be league leaders since they have lost only one game and have a game in hand. It went to the wire between Magic Sparks and Hotspurs as they are both fighting for that final playoff spot. Magic were victorious at the end of regulation with a 39-38 victory. Dolphins rounded up the weekend when they defeated Mystics 63-23 to hold onto their playoff spot. With at least 4 games left in the regular season, we can still see a change in the standings.

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Botswana

This was an action-filled weekend with the championship on the line in Botswana. In the 30th championship season, BDF V had an opportunity to close out the series and be crowned champions in the second game against Opara Juggernauts after winning game 1 of the best-of-3 series. They put on a show in front of their home fans as they won 79-66 to be crowned the national champions of Botswana.

The stakes were equally high in the women’s division as they had the finals between Police and Dolphins. It was a three-game series and coach Rati Murwisi of Dolphins spoke of the team’s preparations being different this year as this was a rematch of last year’s championship game. Police dominated the first game, winning 81-61 and it seemed that this was going to be the theme of the weekend with the team firing in all cylinders. However, it was a different story in Game 2 as the Dolphins bounced back and won 73-46. Both teams had contrasting performances in the first 2 games and all was left to play for in game 3. It was all Dolphins in game 3. They took the lead and did not look back. Police made a run but Dolphins held on to win 66-53 and be crowned the 2024 national champions.

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South Africa

The men’s semi-finals in the Basketball National League (BNL) took place over the weekend. The games were decided in a 2-game series. KwaZulu Marlins were eyeing their first ever final appearance when they took on a defeated MBB. They comfortably won the first game 78-59 and had less pressure going into the second game. They still did not take the foot off the peddle as they won 74-67. It was a monumental task for the debutants, MBB, to overcome that deficit from the first game.

It was a different story in the other matchup as the perennial contenders, Tshwane Suns, won the first game by only one point when they defeated the Mpumalanga Rhinos 68-67. The Rhinos have been knocking on the door to make their first ever final appearances. Coach Tutu Gama mentioned that they had to limit their turnovers and go hard at the opposition in order to bounce back. All the pressure was on the Suns and under the weight of such basketball acumen, they crumbled. They could not stop the barrage of threes from the Rhinos. Josh Tawenga and Ian Lembe of the Rhinos led their team on both ends of the floor. The Rhinos took the lead halfway through the first quarter and did not look back. They went onto win 66-42 as Ian Lembe recorded 19 points, 4 rebounds and 7 steals to lead his team to their first ever final where they will take on the Marlins.

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Malawi

Over in Malawi, it was an eventful weekend as colleges battled it out for the national championship. It was Malawi Assemblies of God University, better known as MAGU, who were crowned champions in both categories. They outclassed everyone and showed their dominance in these championships. In the ladies’ division, University of Lilongwe were runners-up and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, better known as MUBAS, claiming the bronze medal.

In the men’s division, African Bible Colleges, better known as ABC Lions, were runners-up and University of Lilongwe claimed the bronze medal. There was more in Malawi with the election of the new national committee. After deliberations and voting, the following were voted to manage the federation for the next four years: Oscar Kanjala as President, Banthari Banda as Vice President, Peter Gomani as Secretary General as well as Eddah Mkombezi as Vice Secretary General. Their appointment brings a new dawn in the Malawian basketball community with hopes that this new leadership will achieve great things.

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[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of BNL, Midlands, BASMAL and BBA]