FIBA Africa Zone 6 Weekly Review: 23/09/2024

FIBA Africa Zone 6 Weekly Review: 23/09/2024

Zambia

The Zambian Super League continues as the playoffs draw closer. The log leaders, Matero Magic who have only lost one game continued their winning streak against the Huskies, overpowering them 80-73 while the Bulldogs lost 87-70 to Munali Suns. Lusaka Basket Kings maintained hopes for a playoff spot after dismissing the KSM Giants 92-68. Green Buffaloes who are a victory away and two games in hand from making the playoffs humbled UNZA Pacers 86-82 in a nail-biting thriller.

Matero Magic held onto the top spot followed by Bulldogs in second place with Lusaka Basket Kings coming in third while Munali Suns who are fourth complete the top four playoff spots.

There are still many games to play before the playoffs and many opportunities for the log to change. Only 4 games were played in the Women's League this weekend as the log leaders Green Buffaloes defeated NAPSA Breeze 73-54. Mystics who sit at the bottom of the log performed some magic, getting their first win of the season against UNZA Honeys in the final play of the game to claim a 40-39 win. Dolphins who sit comfortably in the third position on the log dismissed Phoenix 60-28. Second on the log, Lusaka Basket Queens, rounded off the weekend with a 51-35 win over the Hotspurs. The excitement in the league is nearing its apex as some teams are looking to make the playoff berth and others fighting relegation.

South Africa

The Basketball National League (BNL) in South Africa was plagued by a lot of controversy at the start of the season but has somehow managed to continue existing. The league has managed to attract the Krispy Kream as a league partner to make winning sweeter.

With the league approaching its business end, and with every game now crucial, many teams nurse the ambition of still making the playoffs. MBB Women defeated Limpopo Pride 55-44 to edge closer to the playoffs in their debut season. Limpopo Pride would bounce back from this defeat to outclass the Eagles 66-47. The Eagles Women narrowly escaped the claws of Soweto Panthers as they won 49-48.

In the Men’s division, The Northern Cape Zebras defeated the Eagles 66-62. However, they succumbed to the KwaZulu Marlins in an 81-49 showcase. KwaZulu Marlins have booked their spot in the playoffs as the pool leaders along Tshwane Suns. Mpumalanga Rhinos tops Pool A with MBB Men in second place but in a league with so many administrative surprises, one can never know for sure what will happen next.

Botswana

The playoffs in Botswana are coming to end and the league is close to crowning its2024 champions. In the Men’s division, Dolphins took on BDF V Men in the finals in a best of 3 series. The first team to two victories will pick up the competitions silverware. In Game 1 the Dolphins proved too strong as they won 78-55 with BDF V Men keen on securing Game 2 to keep their hopes alive of a victory.

In Division 2, Police took on Warriors and narrowly escaped with the victory after an enthralling 72-68 win. Tigers outclassed Elite Academy in a 64-34 blowout. There was little to separate the Mustangs and Spartans as the Spartans held on to win 48-44 in the dying minutes of the game. It was all to play for in the Women’s division as Police blew out Elite Academy 85-25. Dolphins ladies continued with the streak from their men’s team as they comfortably defeated BDF V Ladies 61-37

‍

[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of BNL, ZBF and BBA]