Savio, Lioness reduced to novices at Fiba tourney
Savio guard Majija Makani (centre) dribbles under the watchful eyes of JKT Stars’ Francis Mlewa (right) and Mohamed Kamani during their National Club Championship game at the National Indoor Stadium. photo | file
What you need to know:
Vijana remain to be the only team from Tanzania that won the championship. They laid their hands on the shiny trophy back in 2001
Kigali. Savio’s hopes of leaving a mark at the Fiba Africa Zone Five Club Championships went up in smoke after losing 75-56 to Rwanda’s Espoir in a quarterfinal game here.
Savio’s woes means Tanzania’s wait for the Fiba trophy continues at least for another year.
Vijana remain to be the only team from Tanzania that won the championship. They laid their hands on the shiny trophy back in 2001. Espoir, who won the 2012 edition, romped into the last four as first runners-up from pool A behind City Oilers of Uganda.
The semi-finals and classification games were scheduled for late yesterday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium and National Paralympics Committee gymnasium courts.
Jean Bahufite’s side was led by power-forward Bienvenue Ngandu and shooting-guard Lionnel Hakizimana, who both scored an equal game high 19 points.
Espoir dominated Savio, winning the first quarter 17-12 and the second 19-10 to go into half-time with a 36-22 lead.
Youthful Savio returned for the third quarter a bit sharper and claimed it 22-16, but the four-time Rwandan league reigning champions regained the momentum to win the fourth quarter 23-12 to seal a 75-56 victory- their third of the tournament.
After the game, Savio coach, Mohamed Yusuf said inexperience amongst his players was a major reason for the team’s fall.
“This must serve as a learning curve for our youthful players. They played fairly well, but lacked experience to execute winning points,” he said. Title favourites Gezira and Tiger Head Power were due to meet in the final pool B game last evening to determine who finishes top of the table to meet Espoir in the semi-final while the loser would play City Oilers in the other semi-final.
In women’s fray, there will be no knock-out stages as the six teams are all playing against each other on a round-robin basis, and table leaders will be crowned champions. Favourites Berco Stars of Burundi currently lead with 8 points, one ahead of holders USIU.
Tanzania is represented by Don Bosco Lioness who like their brothers have not had an impressive outing.
