ANG - Petro destroy Niger Potter

HUAMBO (FIBA Africa Champions Cup) - Niger Potter`s Abubakar Usman grabbed 19 points but it was not enough as his side suffered a 81-58 to Petro Atletico.

The reigning FIBA Africa Champions Cup champions claimed victory in the second round of fixtures in Group B largely thanks to Angola international Carlos Morais who weighed in with 17 points.

The Angola champions also had key contributions from Eduardo Mingas and Victor Muzadi who had 14 points apiece and American Shannon Crooks, who collected 12 points.

In another Group B fixture, Mozambican outfit Ferroviario da Beira were able to claim a 70-61 win over Stade Malien.

The teams had been locked at 24-24 at the break but Armando Baptista claimed 15 points to put Ferroviario da Beira ahead.

Stade Malien`s Mahamadou Tangara also contributed 15 points, but the rest of his side were unable to chip in and coach Tambora Seko admitted his side struggled on the court.

"We just arrived today at city of Huambo and we did not have time enough to practice," he said

"The court was slippery which we did not expect so it was difficult to get used to the court surface and plan our game strategy."

Elsewhere in Group B, Abidjan Basketball Club defeated BC Onatra`s 85-52 in a match they controlled from start to finish.

At the break ABC led by 38-29 and Nigerian-born Ninmol Nambam, recently signed to the Ivory Coast giants, poured in 17 points to help his side home.

Doctor Mutombo and Presta Malemba netted 10 points apiece for the Democratic Republic of Congo team.

In Group A Angola internationals Olimpio Cipriano and Joaquim Gomes picked up 12 points apiece to help Primeiro de Agosto to a 55-46 points win over InterClube de Luanda.

Portugal international Francisco Jordao, who signed for Primeiro de Agosto at the beginning of the season, admitted strong defence had been crucial to his side`s win.

"We had a difficult first half in which we did not play very well offensively," he said. "But our defensive game was key to defeating InterClube de Luanda.

"And this game was a sample that if we want to win this tournament we have to play well in defence."

Elsewhere in Group A, MBC of Guinea beat ASB Kauka of DR Congo 53-48 and APR of Rwanda beat Aspac of Benin 61-56.

Julio Chitunda
FIBA