SOCCER: ABC, Savio to clash in semis

Dar es Salaam.  Former champions ABC and JKT Stars yesterday booked their semifinal places after recording victories in the ongoing National Basketball League.

ABC, the army outfit, proved their mighty at the National Indoor Stadium after making light work of Bandari Tanga with a 69-46 victory.

JKT Stars, who are also determined to wrest the title from Savio, squared off against Vijana who are better known as City Bulls and cruised to a 78-66 win.

ABC will now clash with longtime rivals and reigning champions Savio who defeated Oilers 83-76 late yesterday.

Savio, like ABC, finished their group assignments unbeaten and for a lot of basketball enthusiasts, this match is equated to the NBL final following the two sides’ rivalry.

JKT Stars will meet either Pazi or Jogoo who were still tussling it out for the semifinals spot by press time.

The tournament, whose curtain will come down tomorrow, is still dominated by Dar es Salaam outfits, thus losing the anticipated flair.

Speaking after the game, Savio coach Dassy Makula thanked his players for once again playing “maturely” to the final whistle.

“It was a very difficult match just like on Wednesday when we played Jogoo, but we still showed resilience and got what we wanted,” said Makula.

“We are aware of the ABC threat in the semifinal, but we have quality to contain them and carry the day.”

Not to be outdone, ABC coach Leonard Kwale also likened the clash with the final and exuded confidence that they will down Savio this time around.