Afrobasket - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

NBA Africa-Africell collaboration points to the growing influence of private sector in Africa sport

THE recent unveiling of a new indoor basketball court by NBA Africa and Angolan telecoms company Africell is another example of how private sector partnerships are helping to fast-forward sports development across Africa, while governments are missing the opportunity, according to a Nigerian sports analyst. Sports and entertainment expert Adedamilola Adedotun, lead sports strategist at The Temple in Nigeria, explained that partnerships with non-state entities in the sports sector are key to unleashing Africa's sports potential. "Sports infrastructure gaps would have been an ideal investment opportunity for governments to leverage to drive economic growth… what they lack, in my opinion,…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria defeat Mali to complete AfroBasket three-peat

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO AFRICAN powerhouse Nigeria defeated Mali 70-59 in a scorching Women’s African Basketball Championship (AfroBasket) final hosted at the City Arena in Yaounde, Cameroon. Nigerian forward Victoria Macaulay made a three-point shot 30-seconds into the anticipated final to open the scoring - and the two-time defending champions never looked back. D’Tigress (Nigeria’s Senior Women’s Basketball team) led the entirety of the final, momentarily looking stifled in the second quarter as Mariam Coulibaly mounted a comeback with Mali. Nigeria led 31-24 going into halftime after the Malian women fought back valiantly. Nigeria dominated from the third quarter and beyond, extending…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Tunisia reclaim African Basketball crown

SPORT

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…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

SHOCK: Uganda dump Nigeria out of AfroBasket

SPORT

UGANDA ended Nigeria's attempt at claiming the 2021 African Basketball Championship (AfroBasket) crown with a surprising 80-62 win at the Kigali Arena, Rwanda. On the back of a disappointing run at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where D'Tigers - Nigeria's Senior Men's Basketball team - finished 10th, a different team was fielded in an attempt to claim the African basketball throne. Coach Mike Brown led the Nigerian warriors to wins against Mali and Kenya in the group stage where D'Tigers looked in fine form - replicating that of their undefeated string of qualifying games. Uganda picked the pace up in every…

Aug

2021

By The African Mirror

Ujiri and Raptors agree on new deal

SPORT

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)…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

New head coach for Angola’s national basketball team

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SPANIARD Josep Carlos has been named as the new head coach for Angola’s Senior National Men’s team. The announcement follows the resignation of Brazilian Jose Neto - who led the team throughout the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) African Basketball Championships (AfroBasket) qualifying windows in November 2020 and February 2021. Carlos’ agreement with the Federaçao Angolana de Basquetebol will stretch until the AfroBasket tournament taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from August 24 to September 4. Prior to the AfroBasket tournament, Angola will compete for a place in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Angola will travel to Lithuania where they will…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria’s new NBA weapon

SPORT

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

South Sudan women’s basketball team – stars on the rise

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH Sudan is still on a high after their senior men’s team qualified for their maiden African Basketball championship (AfroBasket) tournament, and the prospects of the women’s team replicating the same feat are looking greater and greater. President of the South Sudan basketball federation, and former National Basketball Association (NBA) All-star, Luol Deng has helped provide the world a glimpse of what South Sudan as a basketball nation is capable of. Deng saw his senior men’s team qualify for the International Basketball Association (FIBA) AfroBasket tournament, scheduled for late-August 2021 in Rwanda, in their first time of asking.…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Uganda’s qualification hampered

SPORT

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,…