APR avoids tough group in FIBA tourney

FIBA-Africa Club Championships (Tunisia) Today’s Fixtures (Day 2) APR vs LupopoKano Pillars vs ASAESS vs SwallowsPrimero vs El Shabab Arabi Union Bank vs St Nabeulien BC Onatra vs Back RWANDA’s basketball heavyweights APR have a realistic chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the 23rd edition of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup in Sousse, Tunisia after Wednesday’s draw. The National basketball champions are drawn in Group A alongside host club Etoile du Sahel, Kano Pillars of Nigeria, Swallows of Togo, Lupopo of DR. Congo and Angola’s Atletico Sport Aviation (ASA). Defending champions Primero de Agosto (Angola), who began their title defense yesterday with a clash against Stade Nabulien, are drawn in Group B alongside tough opponents in Union Bank (Nigeria), Back basketball Club (Guinea), El Shabab Arabi of Libya and BC Onatra of DR.Congo. Other matches billed for the opening day (yesterday) included clashes between APR and Etoile du Sahel, Kano Pillars against Swallows and ASA and Lupopo in Group A. In Group-B, BC Onatra of DRC battled against El Shabab Arabi of Libya while Back of Guinea clashed with Union Bank of Nigeria. APR, who retained this year’s Zone 5 Club Championship in Ethiopia are making their second appearance in the competition. The indomitable lions made their debut last year where they finished 7th. Before the team’s departure to Tunisia on Monday, APR’s coach Cliff Owuor said that he was aiming for a better performance this year. “The guys are in good shape so if they can stick to the game plan, then we have a good chance,” he said. The competition draw held on Thursday, was conducted by FIBA-Africa head of Competitions Abdelraouf Menjour and the President of the Tunisian Basketball Federation amongst many other officials. Group A: Etoile du Sahel, ASA, Lupopo, Swallows, APR and Kano pillars. Group B: Primero de Agosto, Back, First Bank, El Shabab Arabi, Stade Nabeulien and BC Onatra. Ends

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APR avoids tough group in FIBA tourney