African Basketball Championship - The African Mirror

Sep

2021

Tunisia reclaim African Basketball crown

BOITUMELO RANTAO TUNISIA defeated Cote D'Ivoire 78-75 in the African Basketball Championship (AfroBasket) final in Kigali, Rwanda to be crowned kings of African basketball. The Carthage Eagles (Tunisia’s Senior Men’s team) defended their 2019 AfroBasket crown with glory - finishing the 2021 edition undefeated in six games. The Ivorians equalled their best AfroBasket finish at the 30th edition, since earning silver at the 2009 AfroBasket tournament in Tripoli, Libya. Tunisia's Makram Ben Romdhane was named the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket MVP. In a starring role with the champions, Ramdhoane scored 8 points in the final with a solid 10 rebounds. Cote…

Aug

2021

By The African Mirror

Ujiri and Raptors agree on new deal

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Ujiri and Raptors agree on new deal BOITUMELO RANTAO MASAI Ujiri arrived in Toronto in 2013 and, after growing his reputation as one of the most sought after executives in professional basketball, has been named vice-chairman and president of the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors, the only National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Canada, had the pleasure of winning the 2019 Championship with Ujiri at the helm. Ujiri is also a polarizing figure in basketball for his many acts of global philanthropy through his Giants of Africa organization. More recently, Ujiri has attended the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL)…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

AS Sale gearing up for a challenge

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BOITUMELO RANTAO EX-CONGOLESE international Eric Kibi has penned a deal with Moroccan club Association Sportive de Sale (AS Sale) ahead of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) season. Kibi - born in Quebec City, Canada - currently plays for The Hague Royals in the Dutch Basketball League (DBL) where he averages 13 points per game (ppg) and 9.9 rebounds per game (rpg) which is good enough for second in the DBL. The 6’6” (198cm) small forward represented the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the 2017 edition of the African Basketball Championship (AfroBasket). Kibi averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

Zamalek strengthen BAL roster

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO EGYPTIAN basketball club Zamalek has added four talented players to their roster ahead of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) season. Zamalek have acquired a pivot in Chinemelu Elonu - who stands tall at 6’10” (2.08) meters. Elonu is an American and Nigerian Citizen who last played in the Puerto Rican BSN league for Capitanes de Arecibo. In 13 games the power forward averaged 14.5 points per game (ppg), 9.6 rebounds per game (rpg), 1.4 assists per game (apg), and 1.5 blocks per game (bpg). Elonu won the BSN Championship with Capitanes de Arecibo in 2018. Elonu, drafted…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria’s new NBA weapon

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BOITUMELO RANTAO DENVER Nuggets guard Monte Morris has committed to play for the Nigeria national team, providing a major boost for the country in the 2021 Summer Olympic to be held in Tokyo. Morris will play for Nigeria head coach Mike Brown on a roster that includes Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu and Jordan Nwora, among others. Nigeria’s roster is on the verge of adding more talent to an already dominant national team. In his fourth season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Morris is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 assists in 27.2 minutes in the 2020-2021 campaign. Nigeria…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Mismanagement crippled SA basketball

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LEE NXUMALO BASKETBALL, once the fastest-growing sport in South Africa, now hardly has recognisable leagues or talents. A group of campaigners have come together to get it thriving and growing again. He increased popularity of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on the global front and the presence of African-born players in the league has given basketball cultural currency among the continent’s youth. Even though basketball had a presence in South Africa since apartheid, its popularity reached its peak only in the late 1990s. At one point, it was considered the fastest-growing sport in the country and on track to becoming…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Uganda’s qualification hampered

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BOITUMELO RANTAO UGANDA’S quest for an African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) qualification berth has been delayed after their fixtures postponed due to an outbreak of COVID-19. Five members of Uganda’s delegation tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Monastir, Tunisia for the Group E fixtures against Egypt, Morocco, and Cape Verde. “It’s a huge relief for us. We are delighted and excited at the opportunity to compete again. We are confident that our team will qualify and be in Kigali in August,” Nassir Sserunjogi - FUBA President Members of the Uganda delegation (players, coaches, and additional official members) were asked to…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

The golden quartet of Afrobasket

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO FORTY games - over 2016 minutes - of blood, sweat and some tears during thrilling action at the African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) have produced the continent’s top four basketball nations. The qualifying window, which took place in the two cities Monastir, Tunisia and Yaounde Cameroon, produced four teams, reigning Champions Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Egypt who outclassed their group mates. These four teams have yet to lose a fixture in the six qualifying games played and seek to take their brilliant form into the Afrobasket finals held in Kigali, Rwanda from August 24 to September 5. Tunisia,…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

Basketball; Africa’s Best of Best

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BOITUMELO RANTAO ALAS, the African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) qualifiers have come to a conclusion. The drama and talent on show intoxicated fans, leaving eyes wanting as we await the Afrobasket finals in Kigali, Rwanda. In the enthusiasm for what is to come, The African Mirror brings you the stand-out performers from the tournament held in Tunisia and Cameroon. Salah Mejri (Tunisia) Mejri’s presence on the floor cannot be understated, defensively and offensively, the Tunisian has been his team’s pivot. If you needed an indication as to how impactful the center has been Tunisia have yet to lose a game throughout…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria off to a great start

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO OPENING day of the African basketball championship (Afrobasket) qualifiers started in electrifying fashion in Monastir with Nigeria staking their claim as Africa’s finest. Nigeria prevailed as winners (75-70) against an impressive South Sudan team in the latter’s first continental competition. D’Tigers (Nigeria national men’s team) had to pry the victory away from the determined South Sudan team coached by former National Basketball Association (NBA) All-star Luol Deng. https://twitter.com/AfroBasket/status/1362137886557155328 Currently ranked number one in Africa, under the guidance of new head coach Mdon Udofia, Nigeria booked their ticket to the main Afrobasket showcase scheduled for late 2021. Point guard…