APR start continental assignment

Day 1Group AInterclube v APRASB Kauka v Primero de AgostoMBC v ASPACGroup BPetro Atletico v BC OnatraNiger Potters v Ferroviario Abidjan v Stade Malien APR open their Fiba-Africa Club Championship campaign this afternoon with a tough tie against Angola’s Interclube basketball club in Cabinda, south of Angola’s capital, Luanda.The Zone-5 champions who arrived in Angola yesterday know that a good start today will lay a good platform for better performances ahead.Apart from Blaise Nikobahoze who is struggling to shake off a fever, Owuor yesterday disclosed in an e-mail to Times Sport that everybody is in good shape and ready for the opener.“We are playing a quality side today and we need a good start to have a good chance of getting to the knock-out stage,” Owuor pointed out. In Huambo, defending champions Petro Atletico open their title defence against DR. Congo’s BC Onatra basketball club.Petro Atletico won the 2006 title in Lagos after subduing arch rival Primero de Agosto in a grand finale.In a bid to retain the title, it is said that the club has beefed up its squad with some of the best players on the African continent; players who are well tested and have years of experience. Other matches billed for Day one include a tie between 2006 runner-up Primero de Agosto and DR.Congo’s ASB Kauka. The other Group A tie is between MBC of Guinea and ASPAC basketball club of Benin.In Group B, 2005 champions Abidjan Basketball Club of Ivory Coast take on Stade Malien while Nigeria’s representatives Niger Potters battle Ferroviario Beira of Mozambique.However, new developments indicate that the Niger Potters – Ferroviario Beira game is still a doubt. It is reported that the Zone-3 champions’ flight to Angola had been delayed and that the club is expected to jet in Angola tonight.Ends

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APR start continental assignment