Proper preparations key as Dynamo chase first BAL Final qualification 

 

BUJUMBURA (Burundi) - After being crowned champions of the Burundian basketball league on 4 August, Dynamo BBC booked their ticket to the  fourth edition of the 'Road to BAL' qualifiers slated for later in the year. 

The Robert Mugabe-coached side will be making a return to the continental competition, having made an appearance in the qualifiers to the inaugural edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), held in 2021. 

Currently on a break after an energy-sapping playoff that saw his team dethrone Urunani for the national title, coach Mugabe says plans are already underway to bolster the team ahead of the competition, likely to throw off in October.

"I am aware that the management of the team is already making plans for preparations, despite the team being on a break," coach Mugabe conceded in an interview with FIBA.basketball. 

Mugabe continued: "Boosting the team is a sure plan. We are looking to add a few talents from within Burundi and maybe one or two international players. The prospects have been identified but nothing has been finalised yet so names will he released later. 

"I am not aware if any players from the championship-winning squad will be leaving but I am confident a majority of the team will be available for the task ahead." 

Alvin Ninziza is seen in action during the 2023 FIBA AfroCan qualifies

The team might have been out of the premier continental competition for the last two editions, with Urunani representing the East African nation, but Mugabe believes they have what it takes to go all the way for the Final Round set for Rwanda in 2024, with proper preparations, a sentiment his captain Alvin Ninziza agrees with. 

"During the playoffs, we went to battle with a champion's mentality. The title and qualification for BAL were our target and motivation respectively. We had strengthened the team as well and that helped us overcome Urunani to achieve our goals," the skipper told FIBA.basketball. 

Ninziza admits that the playoffs were tough and as they take a break from active basketball to recharge, the team is well aware a tougher assignment awaits. 

"We are likely to resume training at the end of the month (August). We will need to take our preparations for BAL a notch higher, compared to what we did for the national playoffs. 

"This is a different ball game where we get to play the best teams in the continent so we have to be at our best both physically and technically if we are to make the 12-team Final Round," he continued. 

Well aware that making it to Rwanda, or even to the conference competitions, will be no walk in the park, Ninziza says it will be a tremendous achievement but in a quick rejoinder adds that there will be lessons to learn throughout the journey, successful or not. 

FIBA