FIBA Africa Champions Cup - Interclube into last four

LUANDA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men) - InterClube de Luanda became the third Angolan team to make it through to the semi-finals of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup after a 65-56 victory against Niger Potters of Nigeria on Thursday.

The 2005 runners up saw Euclides Camacho and Jose Santos contribute with 20 and 17 points respectively, while Potters' Abubakar Usman scored 15 points.

InterClube de Luanda boss Manuel de Sousa "Necas" believed that his side thoroughly deserved the win.

"We were the best team throughout the game; we controlled, dominated and deserved this victory," he told FIBA.com.

"We knew our opponents had a physical style and we dealt with it well. Our qualification to the semi-final shows the Angolan power in the African continent."

On Friday, InterClube de Luanda face current holders Petro Atletico de Luanda in the semi-finals but De Sousa insists his side should not be afraid of their opponents.

"Petro [Atletico de Luanda] are the Angolan and African champions and have too much quality in their squad, but we will not be afraid of them," he added.

"We have good enough players in our squad to win the game."

Primeiro de Agosto duo Carlos Almeida and Olimpio Cipriano high-scored with 21 and 18 points respectively, to help their team thrash BC Onatra of Democratic Republic of Congo 104-46.

BC Onatra's Presta Mulemba, who has been the team's leading-scorer throughout the tournament, was limited to only six points while team-mate Tshiambanga Kabangu poured in 14 for the 2006 runners-up.

Angola international Carlos Almeida came off the bench with less than 12 minutes to the final buzzer to convert six of his seven attempts from behind the arc.

In another quarter final, Konathe Stephane scored 15 points and Nigerian-born Ninmol Nanbam poured in 14, to help Ivory Coast outfit Abidjan Basketball Club (ABC) beat APR of Rwanda 81-37.

APR's Diamah Allain and Gbot Celent scored 10 points apiece, but it was not enough to stop their team avoiding defeat.

FIBA Africa Champions Cup holders Petro Atletico de Luanda made it through the semi-final after a 79-45 victory over ASB Kauka of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Angola internationals Eduardo Mingas and Victor Muzadi led Petro Atletico with 15 points apiece, while ASB Kauka's Mali Alimas was the game's top-scorer with 21.

Petro Atletico de Luanda will face InterClube de Luanda in the semi-final, while Primeiro de Agosto take on ABC.

At the qualification stage, being played in the Angolan city of Cabinda, Stade Malien sustained their sixth defeat of the tournament after a 57-45 defeat loss to MBC of Guinea Conakry.

In another qualification game, Aspac of Benin beat Mozambican outfit 55-50.

Julio Chitunda
FIBA