FIBA Africa Zone 5: Patriots face Betway Power in semi-finals

Today BetwayPower vs Patriots 7pm City Oilers vs KPA 9pm Thursday results Men BetwayPower 84-44 Hawassa City Oilers 98-52 Gondar KPA 92-60 Savio Patriots 68-50 ABC Women UCU 88-50 APR KCCA 91-39 Don Bosco KPA 85-32 Horseed Rwanda’s Patriots Basketball Club have reached the semi-finals of this year’s FIBA Africa Zone V Club Championships after defeating ABC of Tanzania 68-50 in the quarter-finals on Thursday evening at Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala, Uganda. Henry Mwinuka’s team are hoping to book a spot to the final when they meet Betway Power on Friday evening, starting at 7pm. Uganda’s Betway Powers reached the round of last four after demolishing Hawasa City of Ethiopia, 84-44. Title holders, City Oilers will face Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the other semi-final. Oilers defeated Gonder of Ethiopia 98-52 in the last eight round, while KPA overcame Savio of Tanzania 85-32. Patriots dominated ABC from start to finish, claiming all four quarters; 16-11, 21-15, 20-14 and 11-10 respectively. ABC’s Gabriel Cornelius Mgaza scored a game high 12 points while Kami Kabange (11), Walter Nkurunziza (11) and Lionnel Hakizimana (10) top scored for Patriots in that order. Looking ahead to today’s semi-final clash with the home team, Mwinuke said: “Power are a big team, they are playing at home, so we have to be well prepared.” Patriots made their debut in the annual tournament last year in Dar-s-Salaam, Tanzania, where they were knocked by Kenya’s Ulinzi in semi-finals. This time, they have set an ambitious target of returning home with the title. Meanwhile, APR Women basketball club suffered yet another defeat, 85-50, at hands of Uganda Christian University (UCU) to register their fourth loss out of 5 games played. The Rwanda side will have a rest day today and return to action on Sunday with their final game against Horseed of Somalia. The competition also doubles as qualifiers for the FIBA Africa Club Championships set for December in Morocco. Only the champions in both genders will represent the region at the continental showpiece. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Sports

FIBA Africa Zone 5: Patriots face Betway Power in semi-finals