DAR ES SALAAM (Tanzania) - The final day of the Group C 2022 Road to BAL qualifiers will see teams try to move mountains to ensure they qualify for the South African leg of the Elite 16 tournament, which will take place in November.

In Sunday's opening game, Burundi outfit Urunani, who have a 2-0 record, will try to go for a third victory in a row when they take on the winless Matero Magic at the Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (4.30pm E.A.T).

The Burundian champions played great basketball at these qualifiers and have been an example of what playing as a team means.

Urunani have seen their players step up at different stages of games, and they will look to continue in the same vein against Zambian Matero.

Urunani's captain Landry Ndikumana has led by example with his on-court performances. His 18-point performance on Friday saw his team beat hosts Army Basketball Club, while his fourth quarter performance on Saturday, where he scored nine points to finish with 14, contributed to Urunani overcoming City Oilers of Uganda.

The forward has given maximum effort at both ends of the court and his teammates have followed his example.

The likes of point Guibert Nijimbere and shooting guard Michael Kazunguzibwa have stepped up for the team, as seen in the game against Uganda's City Oilers on Saturday. Kazungzibwa’s 21 points and Nijimbere’s 15 points were crucial in ensuring Urunani get one foot in the Elite 16.

Matero, who participated in the preliminary qualifiers and Elite 16 last year, will have to go back to the drawing board and try to figure how best to prepare themselves for future tournaments.

ABC vs OILERS

The final game of the evening will see hosts Army Basketball Club (ABC) take on City Oilers to fight it out for second spot in the qualifiers.

Both clubs have similar records (1-1) after experiencing defeats against Urunani.

Oilers are likely to be pegged as favourites for this encounter especially with the amount experience in their ranks, although it must be said that they have a thin bench.

Oilers will again look to guard Germaine Roebuck Jr. for consistency in scoring. The American player, who scored 26 points against Matero and 17 points in the loss to Urunani will try to get his team going from the start of the game.

Roebuck Jr, can score off the dribble and is good in fast break plays. Another player, who has proven to be a good scorer is Nigerian forward Francis Azolibe, who also scored 17 points in the loss against the Burundian club.

Oilers shooting guard Tonny Drileba, who seemed to be in the shadows in the game against Urunani, will have to, again, find the scoring touch that saw him drop 13 points against Matero.

While for ABC, who gave themselves a lifeline with a win over Matero, will have dig deeper than ever to overcome the Oilers.

Their desire to play is undoubted, but their cohesion is questionable and some that can be addressed ahead of one game. Players like shooting guard Baraka Athumani will look to build on his 17-point performance against Matero and forward Jimmy Brown can provide defence and rebounding for the Tanzanians.

There is all to play for in these qualifiers for Urunani, ABC and City Oilers, but only two can qualify meaning one team’s dream will not be realised.

FIBA