KEN - Memories of the 14th Fiba Africa club championships for women

NAIROBI (FIBA Africa Club Championship for women) - When the last FIBA Africa Club Championship for women was played in Maputo, Mozambique, the hosts placed three clubs in the semi finals with only one foreign team in with a chance to upset the form book.

That dream was alive as either way - good or bad performance, the hosts were assured of at least two medals when the final whistled finally ended. Their hopes lied on the shoulders of Desportivo, Ferroviaro and ISPU.

The foreign challenge came in the form of Primero Agosto of Angola, themselves no easy team having won the event years earlier. They promised to give it their all, but in the end, Desportivo ruled to the delight of their honking fans.

In Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, non of the two Kenyan sides Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Eagle Wings were anywhere near there. And the finals of the 14th championships was again between Desportivo and Agosto.

The ten day event that was played at one venue due to unavailability of the multi million shillings Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani had it sweet and bitter pills to swallow but all is well that ends well. These are the memories.

ABC's Camara Foutoumata suffered a serious nasal injury against Agosto in the semi finals. And the most poignant memory was captured when Nigerian coach Aderemi Adewumi sportingly walked to the Ivorian team bench during their third/fourth play off to engage her in a long talk !

There were complains here and there about the distance of the hotel and gymnasium, the perpetual traffic jams along the roads. But all in all the championship had many memories a few of which we have captured here.

The tournament opener saw champions Desportivo stepped onto the court against Victoria Club of DR Congo and the result was never in doubt. The Congolese were drubbed 81-41 with the Sokhna Liksy having the honours to score the opening basket of the championships.

By reaching back to back finals, Desportivo and Primero showed without a shadow of doubt that they are the continents two super teams. And the fact that they reached the 2008 finals without losing a game speaks for itself.

They sailed away from their pool B and A respectively cruising through their quarter final matches and shook off their opponents with ease to make it to this year's finals once again. As always, the Nairobi show had 12 teams.

Namely KPA, Eagle Wings (Kenya), Desportivo, Agosto, ABC, CSA (Ivory Coast) First Bank (Nigeri), Djoliba (Mali), Radi , Victoria (DR Congo), APR (Rwand) and KCC (Uganda). Of the pack the Rwandese and Ugandans were in their first ever show as a country..

The quarters results saw Desportivo 71-36 winners over Djoliba of Mali, Agosto posted an easy 81-54 over debutants APR of Rwanda, First Bank went past KPA 51-44 while ABC locked out compatriots CSA 52-46 in a closely fought game.

In the semi finals, on song Desportivo beat First Bank 67-55 in a brilliantly contested game with the winners taking an 11 point lead that was whipped away by the winners before going down as the final horn sounded.

This great show of skill, determination saw the Mozambicans, not ready to be called the ex-champions bolted away taking a 12 point win. Great stuff , tough D that saw them earned an applause from the hard to please Kenyan crowd.

In the other semis, Agosto on the other hand went past ABC of Ivory Coast with an overwhelming 68 – 49 margin in a game that really did not live up to expectations. The Angolans were superior in all departments.

The two giants who met in Maputo spectacle a year earlier were at it again, this time Desportivo playing far away from home and in a different altitude and watched by non of their home fans, prevailed 70-63 claiming the title of Africa's best after the final show.

The teams

Desportivo-In winning back to back title, Desportivo showed they were in a class of their own. Coach Nassir Saleh did his home work well.

The player of the show was Deolinda Nguela declared MVP of the tournament. She was the key and got superb support from Sokhna Liksy, Hlair Rachide and forward Yolanda Jones.

Agosto-This team had no time to celebrats their silver medal after the final as they headed straight to the airport, but they had the best three pointer in Mauricio Nasicelle. Shewas also named in the best five. Others were the speedy pay maker Venturia Doulutila and Milcente Ostrida and Gaudalupe Sonia who have tormented teams at will.

First Bank- Winners in 2003 settled for third place. And coach Adewumi Aderemi said he was happy at the third placing because it showed an improvement from the last show.

The Nigerians side boasted experience of former WNBA player and one of the continents best known star in Mfon Udoka. She will get help from guard Joyce Ekworomandu, sharp shooter Nzekwe Oluchi and forward Udeaja Chiomi.

ABC -Ivory Coast champions, placed fifth last year also improved to fourth and to do that they relied on some really talented and experienced players like Berte Salimani, Obaye Asion, Camara Foutuimata and Berse Salimaia.

CSA- Suprise package, CSA did so well non of them expected such a sudden rise. They were sixth having lost to compatriots ABC in the quarters. In Kouyatte Kani they got the top scorers of the event. Others were Kolga Asstou, Djedjemel Edwige and Kolga Asstou.

Djoliba Djoliba also have talents galore and was expected to do better. They blew hot and cold but in Nassira Traore, Daon Tata and Aminata. And in Ba Anjideye, they have a temperamental ball handler who was not afraid to take on the opponents as well as her own coach!

APR -The Rwandese are happy at their seventh place in only their first continental outing. According to assistant coach Mbazumutima Charles they learnt from the experience. Their key players included Ndaya Muleka, Purity Auma, Muhongerwa Alice and Ndangi Kabinda.

KPA- In Maptuo KPA finished ninth, playing at home many thought they would do better. They did not winding up in a lower position. Captain Caroliune Arato woker up in the last two games that did not matter. Joyce Makungu, Yvonne Akinyi and Everlyn Akoth played their roles well.

Radi- The side from DR Congo had a never say die attitude. They gave all their teams a run for their money and was perhaos the most deadliest team from the free throw line. In Matundu Mussau and Mayinda Baketekulu, they have stars of their own who carried the teams hoes all along.

Eagle Wings- Another of the Kenyan teams that really did not live up to expectations. Caroline Achieng bagged the top rebounder award and did her team and the country proud. Anastasia Njeri and Bridgit Naznala too did well to win many hears.

Victoria- Tshinyanga Kalanga and Nyota Mukosa formed the most deadly tandem of the championships. With a little help from the rest of the pack perhaps they would have done better. But coach Charley Buzangu says they will be around and this will be a beauty in future.

KCC- Given the chance as a wild card after they failed to make it during the qualifiers in Ethiopia. Even with such a shot notice, the Ugandans did the Zone Five proud. Being placed last is no big deal and they also had their own stars in Becky Akulu and Miriam Hamala.

Full results

Pool A
ABC 66 Wings 53, Agosto 63 First Bank 58, Radi 53 Agosto 75, Wings 60 Djoliba 82, ABC 50 First Bank 57, ABC 73 Radi 57, First Bank 94 Wings 75, Djoliba 58 Agosto 100, Radi 71 Djoliba 72, First Bank 76 Radi 66, Wings 44 Agosto 99, Djoliba 44 ABC 60, First Bank 69 Djoliba 61, Wings 61 Radi 72 and Agosto 73 ABC 58.

Pool B
Victoria 41 Desportivo 85, KPA 63 APR 43, Desportivo 88 APR 41, Victoria 40 CSA 70, KPA 73 KCC 41, APR 81 KCC 61, Victoria 49 KPA 57, CSA 57 Desportivo 90, KCC 43 CSA 78, Desportivo 105 KCC 57, APR 69 Victoria 57, CSA 63 KPA 53, KCC 57 Victioria 61, Desportivo 67 KPA 49 and CSA 82 APR 56.

Quarter Finals
APR 54 Agosto 81, Djoliba 63 Desportivo 71, KPA 44 First Bank 51, ABC 52 CSA 46.
Classification -KCC 60 Radi 93, Wings 49 Victoria 37. Position 11-12: Victoria 66 KCC 53. Position 9-10: Radi 75 Wings 55.

Semi finals:
Desportivo 67 First Bank 55 semi finals two Agosto 68 ABC 49.
Third/Fourth: First Bank 76 AB 62

Finals:
Desportivo70 Agosto 63

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa