Your Weekly Dose of FIBA Africa Zone 7 News: Djabal Basket, Les Amis and exciting plans for Comoros'.
Last Updated on
January 19, 2024
Jonathan Oriant
Staff Writer
Djabal Basket recorded their ninth consecutive win to stay top of the Ndzuani Regional Championship. This time, the Comoros champions beat Djadid Club Ouani 89-52.
The win moved the Iconi-based team two points clear of Atomic Basket. In total, Djabal Basket Iconi have 18 points, compared with 16 for their runners-up, while BCM are in third place with 13 points from five wins and three defeats.
The Mwali regional championship, meanwhile, promises to be much more competitive. Les Amis are top of the table on eight points, but they still have to watch out for Etoile Show, who trail them on the same number of points, and ASSIM, who are three points off third place.
We have also learned that the Comorian Basketball Federation (FCBB) plans to field a team for the AfroBasket 2025 pre-qualifying tournament. But little information has been released so far. We will come back to this in our next zone review.
Local members of the Ankoay national 5x5 team at the Palais des Sports Mahamasina from January 16 to 19. They have moved their training camp to Vontovorona for a nine-day camp ahead of the Afrobasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, slated for January 15-19. The Malagasy team will face Djibouti and another Zone 5 country, which has not yet been announced by FIBA.
According to Solofohery Angelot Razafiarivony, National Technical Director, Madagascar is aiming for a remarkable comeback in the competition after its last participation in 2011. The list of players for the pre-qualification round has already been published by the Malagasy Basketball Federation.
The Malagasy Basketball Federation was counting on three overseas players, but Mathias M'Madi has not been granted release by his college. Angelot Solofohery insists that no overseas player will be called in to replace the young combo guard and that only Rija Lahontan and Kiady Razanamahenina will be available. The players stress the importance of being wary of opponents, particularly Djibouti, and emphasise maximum preparation to ensure success in the pre-qualification matches.
In the recent D2 championship, the youthful Highlands Young Cadets finished top of the league with a 6-1 run, overcoming their elders in the old-fashioned, yet disciplined way.
The Young Cadets, coached by Bernard Nuchadee, were only beaten by Attila 61-58 in a high-stakes game, but would eventually go on to win the trophy, the latter failing to overcome rivals Real in the league’s final game.
The Highlands Young Cadets are composed of a team that currently plays in the Super League, Mauritius’ elite basketball championship and a young and promising squad that will feature in the next Division 1. Bernard Nuchadee admits that most of his players come from the school team he coaches and that the only preparation they have had were friendly games against some regional-level teams.
The Mayotte Basketball League has launched several ambitious projects aimed at radically transforming its image.
Firstly, a youth U16 exchange programme between Madagascar and Mayotte, encouraging cultural interaction and the development of basketball talent will be set up. In addition, Mayotte's champion team will take part in the prestigious Road to BAL, marking a major step forward in the region's representation on the international stage.
The creation of an academy dedicated to young people aged 13 to 16 is part of the long-term strategy to rejuvenate the selections for the 2027 Island Games. This initiative aims to develop and prepare a new generation of talent.
As part of international competitions, the men's team will take part in the Mozambique Channel International Tournament in 2024, strengthening Mayotte's presence on the regional basketball scene.
Finally, a strategic partnership with the Saint Vallier, a French professional club has been established to detect young talent, offering players the opportunity to join professional training centres directly.
Thats it for Zone 7. Come back next week for more from the zone.
[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA, The Malagasy Basketball Federation, The Mayotte Basketball League, Mauritius Basketball Federation and Ndzuani Regional Championship]
