Author name: Manyehlisa Lehohla

African basketball enthusiast, founder and editor of The Big Tip Off and a freelance writer.

Ogechi, Thunder ready to put on a show for Kenya at the BAL

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DERRICK Ogechi has experienced the upsides and downsides of basketball on the continent. Late last year, he and his Nairobi City Thunder teammates were celebrated like kings for scaling new heights in Kenya’s basketball. Sadly, the table turned when he donned the national team jersey. He and the Morans experienced a baptism of fire in the recent AfroBasket qualifiers.

Last month, to be exact, Ogechi and the Morans experienced an abysmal final window of the 2025 AfroBasket qualifying campaign, losing all their matches, one by forfeit due to their late arrival in Libya. Their 0-3 run in North Africa meant they could not match the qualification feats of 2021. Following the disappointment with the Morans, Ogechi’s attention is now on the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a tournament he helped the Thunder qualify for last year on home soil. The BAL qualification was a historic first for a club from the East African nation.

The former Midwestern State University Mustangs player told The Big Tip Off he and his Thunder teammates, who made up the bulk of the Morans team, will use the BAL to avenge the misery of the AfroBasket qualifiers.

“How we finished was disappointing. I think it was a wake-up call for us. [The] opportunity to play in the AfroBasket qualifiers [was incredible]. Experiencing the physicality and everything [invigorates]. When we lost, we took it personally. We are regrouping and getting ready for the next continental stage,” said Ogechi. “So Thunder are preparing to show Kenya our ability… I don’t think we played to the best of our ability in the AfroBasket qualifiers.”

Derrick Ogechi Kenya Morans
Derrick Ogechi feels the Morans did not bring the best version of themselves to the AfroBasket qualifiers. Pictures: FIBA

Small forward Ogechi, who joined the Thunder in their successful Road to BAL adventure last year, was always confident when he moved to the club that they would make it as far as they have.

“Seeing that the Thunder finished as league champions, I knew they were poised to make a good run at the Road to BAL. They knew, and I knew,” said 26-year-old Ogechi. “I met with the management, and at the end of the discussion, they felt I would be a good piece. I wanted to be part of history – part of the first team from Kenya to make it to the BAL.

“So when it happened… I was excited.”

Ogechi, who was playing professionally in Spain for Cordoba CB before his move to the Thunder, says he could have opted for other offers overseas, but being in Kenya and playing in the BAL was more enticing.

“I did hear that there were offers for my services elsewhere, but I wanted to play here at home and play in a team with a whole bunch of my friends,” said Ogechi.

So far, Ogechi has enjoyed himself in his new surroundings. He’s also loving the journey of impacting basketball in Kenya with the Thunder in Kenya.

“It’s definitely been great. It’s a change in scenery and pace, but it’s been nice,” said Ogechi. “Basketball is starting to grow here in Kenya… To be on a team that is changing basketball here has been amazing.

“Seeing the fans and community come out in their numbers to support the game has been great. And a lot of people mentioning your name when you walk the street has also been nice.”

He felt that the level of professionalism has also moved up a notch since the Thunder entered the domestic fray.

“During the Elite 16 (Division East) qualifiers, a lot of people attended the games because they were here in Kenya, which was great for us. Speaking to some of them – they told me they were attending basketball matches for the first time. So, for Thunder to change the way the game is seen here, from it being recreational to being professional has been a good change,” said Ogechi.

Ogechi and the Thunder are looking forward to their BAL Nile Conference debut (17-25 May) in Rwanda. He also described a good vibe within the team and expressed that they are ready to take on host club APR, Al Ahli Tripoli and South Africa’s MBB.

“This being our first time, we are definitely excited. We are in a good conference. We are looking forward to the challenge. I think we can have a good run,” said Ogechi.

Derrick Ogechi Nairobi City Thunder
Derrick Ogechi believes they are underdogs of the Nile Conference.

Preparing for the BAL will require a good run of games – for the Thunder, that run has come through their domestic league, where they have been on a tear lately. Since the start of the Kenya Basketball League season, the Thunder have an 11-0 record, which should help with their momentum ahead of the BAL.

“Playing here in the local league is good. We know we have a target on our back because we are undefeated. Now going to the BAL for the first time, we are probably the underdogs. That being said, it will motivate us. It will help push and attack the teams we will face in our Conference,” said Ogechi.

The Thunder will want to put their best foot forward in the BAL debut. Kenyan basketball fans will expect nothing less. For Ogechi and his teammates maybe a chip on their shoulder is the right fuel in their battle to restore Kenya’s name in African basketball.

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Vincent wants to add brush and polish to MBB’s game

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FEELINGS of excitement and anticipation engulfed new MBB coach Sam Vincent since he arrived in South Africa last week, a country he last set foot in almost three decades ago. Back then, he was a pro player sweating it out on the hardwoods of the then-Professional Basketball League, one of the catalysts of the country’s exciting but short-lived basketball boom and buzz.

American-born Vincent wasted no time in being reacquainted with the country’s basketball scene, as he was treated to a Johannesburg Basketball Association Chairman’s Cup final on Sunday involving MBB, South Africa’s representatives at the Basketball Africa League Season 5. The latter is the reason why Vincent, who started his job on Monday, was appointed to the helm of iTeam Yase Dladleni.

Watching from the bleachers, he saw his team go down 55-53 to coach Florsheim Ngwenya’s Super Elite, nonetheless, it (the defeat) did little to dampen his mood. Judging by his demeanour and words, the cool and collected Vincent, a coach at Beacon College before joining MBB, told The Big Tip Off he was impressed with the quality of basketball produced at the Klipspruit Centre in Soweto.

“The basketball is definitely a lot better. These guys played tough. They played physically. They made some big shots. I can see the progress. There is a lot of progress. The players have improved and they played hard,” said the 61-year-old from Lansing Michigan.

“So MBB had a chance to win it… They missed some shots down the stretch. But I was happy with what I saw.”

Sam Vincent MBB head coach
MBB coach Sam Vincent at the BAL Combine in Morocco. Pictures: The BTO and the BAL

From his vantage point, Vincent, a 1986 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, did make some mental notes on what he would like to improve when he begins his first official practice. He particularly noted that team chemistry was an area of concern – he felt the on-court awareness was lacking at particular points in the clash against Super Elite.

“There are moments in the game where you gotta know who you are going to, who you are looking for. I felt near the end of the game, guys took shots that were a little premature,” said Vincent. “I think part of getting better means really understanding the plays to run at critical times… Knowing the players to give the ball to. I think they slipped up a little on that today.”

Vincent will have ample time to tighten loose ends as MBB’s Nile Conference campaign begins only in May (17-25). He believes MBB has a solid core of South African players and that the right recruits from the rest of Africa and overseas will make them a stronger team.

He also gave his thoughts on the BAL. “This is an exciting opportunity. The NBA has big plans for the BAL. They want to grow it. I have had a chance to watch previous seasons. It’s great basketball,” said Vincent.

Turning his attention to the makeup of MBB, he maintained a tone of excitement about his team’s prospects. “Watching these guys… I feel we have some solid South African players. They are going to come in and make major contributions. We have to bring in the right players from overseas and here in Africa, and then we will have a strong team. I am excited about what is coming,” said Vincent.

 

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The former Nigeria women’s team coach says he and the club have identified the players they need for the campaign, and it is only a matter of time before they lock down deals for them.

“We are close. The chairperson has been managing that process. I know he has got some guys that he likes. I have had a chance to watch some videos. So, I think we are really close to getting our international players locked in and knocking down the list of South African players,” said Vincent.

With playoffs and finals coming to South Africa’s capital, Tshwane, Vincent has targeted a top-two finish to guarantee that MBB can also show out in front of their home fans.

“The competition is going to be stronger. That third leg (Nile Conference) is going to be difficult. But we are going there to secure a chance to come back and compete in Pretoria and in front of the home crowd,” said Vincent.

MBB head coach Sam Vincent
Sam Vincent will prioritise team cohesion ahead of MBB’s BAL Nile Conference campaign.

Returning to South Africa must evoke memories for the Michigan-born coach. How does he remember the PBL era?

“The PBL era in the ’90s and early 2000s was good basketball. We didn’t have the size, muscle and speed of the game today, but I must say, it was a good building block. I think now the guys are faster and stronger,” said Vincent. “What needs to happen now is more structure. There is no reason for South Africa not to have a strong national league. So, if the game is to move forward, the organisational national structure has to improve.”

After spending three decades away carving out a successful coaching career, how is Vincent experiencing his full circle moment?

“For me, it’s exciting… It really is. I was here 27 years ago. That’s where I started coaching. Having had a chance to coach in the NBA, and then at the college level, throughout Europe and Asia and coming back (to South Africa) to participate at this level… It’s exciting. I am really excited to see basketball here grow,” concluded Vincent. 

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Abada chasing domestic glory with Club Africain

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TUNISIAN virtuoso floor general Omar Abada returned home a year ago after spending two years in the Middle East, after being on what you could call a basketball pilgrimage. The point guard says those years spent between Saudi Arabia and Syria helped refine his game.

Abada, who joined the ambitious Club Africain last year, departed Tunisia after his then star-studded US Monastir team succumbed to an equally strong Zamalek in the inaugural Basketball Africa League final in 2021.

The quintessential point guard says the move to Al-Ittihad Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Al Wahda Damascus (Syria) was worth it for his career. He believes what he learnt in the Middle East has put him in a position to help Club Africain compete at home and qualify for continental competition.

“I enjoyed my experiences (in Saudi Arabia and Syria). I don’t regret the choice to play over there,” said the 31-year-old, speaking to The Big Tip Off. “There are aspects of my game that I wanted to improve on. Those two seasons away were crucial for my growth.

“I am the type of player who is never satisfied. I always want to do better. Any team I play for I must do a good job for them.”

Omar Abada in action for Club Africain
Omar Abada says Club Africain has learnt from last season’s Championnat A finals mistakes. Pictures: Club Africain

The two-time AfroBasket winner has since returned to Tunisia. He gave the reasons for returning and why he preferred his current club. “There were a couple of reasons why I came back home. One of them is to win the league and to qualify for the BAL,” said the Tunisian international. “I liked what their board presented to me. I could feel that they were motivated and wanted to win, that’s why I signed with them.”

Four-time league champion Abada and Club Africain came close to winning the Championnat A last season, but US Monastir stood in their way. He recalled the 3-2 Championnat A finals loss to the 2022 BAL champions.

“It was a very competitive final. Homecourt advantage was key. It was painful to lose the final after a five-game series. We gave it everything, but this is sport and only one team wins,” said Abada.

Club Africain, four-time league champions, is again in the throes of the playoffs and likely to compete in the domestic finals again. Abada is confident about the team’s title charge. He feels the lessons from the past and the arrival of new players have improved the club’s chances this year.

“We have a big chance to win the league this season. We have learnt from the mistakes we made in last year’s finals. Our roster has improved with the imports brought in and moves made locally,” said Abada.

 

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The signings Abada referred to are Montenegro big man Gligorije Rakocevic, who has played continental basketball in Europe for Mornar Bar and point Michael Dixon Jr, a BAL champion and MVP with US Monastir.

Al Lfriki also brought in former youth international Mohamed Selmi, who played for Tunisia at the 2016 U18 AfroBasket. The Seward County Saints player was a 2014 Basketball Without Borders All-Star and three-points champion.

Abada says the trio are part of a “special group of players.”

“We have great talents in the team and definitely a lot of quality. We are like a family. That is what makes us a special group of players,” said Abada.

On the day of the interview with Abada, Club Africain had a 5-1 record in the playoffs and stretched their record with another victory over DS Grombalia. Abada scored 12 points and had three assists in his club’s emphatic 96-48 win on Saturday. Before the match, he said winning on their opposition’s home court helped the team’s momentum.  

“We have five wins in a row. A win will be good for our momentum because we have an objective. We have to play our best basketball to reach it. It is what we have been doing since the beginning of the season and it is what we are doing now in the playoffs,” said Abada.

Omar Abada in action of Club Africain
Omar Abada believes three teams have a shot at the Championnat A title.

US Monastir, his former employer, has been a dominant force in the last league for six years. This year again Monastir is among the contenders for the coveted Championnat A title. Can Abada and his teammates end the Blue Empire’s rampage?

Entering the final year of his contract, Abada expressed his determination to win while wearing Club Africain’s red and white striped jersey. However, he acknowledged there are at least three contenders in the race.

“Club Africain, US Monastir and JS Kairouan… We are all in. We all have a shot at the title,” said Abada. “It is a crucial season for the team and I. We have set ourselves a goal. We must play our best basketball to reach it.”

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Darlan finds his groove in Delaware with the Blue Coats

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THIERRY Serge Darlan cracked a smile when asked about a picture of his much younger self holding up a certificate on his IG account. The image in question is the last in a series depicting Darlan’s journey from his homeland, the Central African Republic, to his current NBA G League franchise, the Delaware Blue Coats.

The Big Tip Off was interested in uncovering the feelings that were evoked when he looked back at the picture of his formative years, considering his journey and the hurdles he has had to jump to get to where he is.

Responding to the question, the 21-year-old, who honed his game at the NBA Academy in Saly, Senegal, recalled a version of himself intent on putting in the hard yards to fulfil his basketball dreams.

“I am really proud of that young man for the effort he put in. Back home, he worked hard every single day. I mean every single day,” said Darlan. “The only time I would miss training is if I was sick or something else. So, yep, I am really proud of that young man.”

Thierry Serge Darlan is finding his groove with the Bluecoats.
Thierry Serge Darlan has found his groove with the Blue Coats. Pictures: Bluecoats and The BTO.

Before moving across the Atlantic, Darlan, one of the finest talents from the continent, had to prepare himself for that transition. The NBA Academy, while making sure the youngster perfected his craft on the court, also shaped him.

“It was one of the best experiences since I started playing basketball. Over there, I began to believe in myself more and that I could make it. That place changed my view of how to play basketball,” said Darlan. “When I started playing basketball, I was just playing for fun. As soon as I got to the Academy, my attitude shifted. The people there helped me achieve my dream. They pushed me every day to give my best. They did it at practice and at the weight room. I am really grateful for that opportunity.”

Darlan also shared some wisdom imparted to him during his stay in Senegal. “I learnt a lot of things while I was there. One of the first things you learn is how to be a man, on and off the court. Another thing is the importance of being on time. You have to be on time no matter what,” said Darlan.

Keeping time has not been an issue for Darlan, but the second-year G-League pro had to deal with the injury bug in his first season during his stint at G-League Ignite.

A dislocated ankle, which saw him play only 29 games, stalled his progress at the now-disbanded G-League Ignite franchise. With Ignite he averaged 4.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 0.8 apg.

This year, Darlan – first drafted by Rip City Remix this season – has remained healthy, appearing in 24 games for the Blue Coats while boosting his production to 9.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 1.6 apg.

Darlan is also happy with his own progress after his struggles in his first G-League season. “I am pleased with my current situation. I have put in so much work and feel this is only the beginning. It’s a learning curve… I am grateful for these experiences,” said Darlan.

He also spoke about his jump in productivity in this season’s G-League. “I don’t really pay attention to the statistics. I just wanna hoop and enjoy myself on the court. If I can learn and be that guy who brings value to the team, that’s great. I am the piece in the team that can do the dirty work, the one that can do everything,” said Darlan.

Thierry Serge Darlan NBA Academy
Thierry Serge Darlan says he matured as a person at the NBA Academy.

It is exciting to see one of the promising talents from Africa playing again. Having gone through struggle and now being back on the basketball court, we asked him how he felt about now living the dream of playing in the NBA?

“Good question. To be honest, I don’t know. I am out there doing my best. If I get drafted, that’s great. If not, it was probably not God’s plan for me,” said Darlan. “I try not to worry about that stuff. I am living in the present.”

At present, Darlan is in a good space in his career. He speaks with an understanding that nothing is guaranteed, so enjoying each moment is paramount. It is also the best way to honour the Thierry in the picture holding up a certificate many years ago.

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Zouzoua says the excitement for the BAL is bubbling in Rabat

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THE days are ticking towards one of Africa’s premier sporting spectacles, Season 5 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). It is also a time when teams move swiftly to secure top-tier talent that can give them the best opportunity to win.

Moroccan club FUS Rabat is one of the teams that have shored up their roster with the signings of the Cote d’Ivoire duo of Nisre Zouzoua and Mike Fofana.

Speaking to The Big Tip Off, Ivorien star Zouzoua says he is finding his feet in his new surroundings of Rabat, the newly minted host city of the Kalahari Conference (5-13 April).

FUS Rabat new signing Nisre Zouzoua
Nisre Zouzoua has adapted to life on the court with FUS Rabat. Pictures: FUS Rabat and FIBA

The experienced Zouzoua also noted that the reception to the first leg of the BAL is lukewarm as Morocco, a predominantly Muslim country, observes the holy month of Ramadan (28 February – 30 March).

“I am thoroughly enjoying my time in Rabat. It’s a beautiful city, and the people are friendly. It has not been too difficult of a transition, so I am thankful and happy to be here,” said the 28-year-old.

The former ABC Fighters player is positive the people from the Atlas nation will get into the BAL vibe. “It’s currently Ramadan, so people here are focusing on the spiritual aspect and prayer… But listening to talk on the ground, people are excited, and we are excited that the BAL is coming to Morocco,” said Zouzoua. “It’s going to be a great experience. It will be a great way for the people of Rabat and Morocco to show what their city and country is about. It’s going to be an exciting time!”

While the excitement still bubbles under in Morocco and especially Rabat, Zouzoua is confident that FUS has the making of a championship team and nothing less than the BAL trophy will do.

“We are playing to win. We are playing for a championship. If you are not playing for that, what’s the point of being on the court?” asked Zouzoua. “We are trying to make it as far as we can. That is our goal and it is my personal goal too. I try to win every time I step on the court.”

 

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Zouzoua, who signed with FUS for the remainder of the season with 19-time Division Excellence Champions, hit the ground running and stepped up with a 26 points, six rebounds, and three assists performance in a 97-81 victory over IRT Tanger in a league match last Thursday.

While acclimating to his new life in Morocco ahead of the Kalahari Conference, Zouzoua has felt at home on the basketball court and has liked what he has seen of his new club and teammates so far.

“I have played in two games, and we won both. They were great team wins. Everybody plays together and we have fun out there. It’s not been long, but my time here has been great,” said Zouzoua.

Playing alongside Ivorian national team member Fofana at FUS is a big plus, says Zouzoua. The shooting guard feels arriving at the same time as Fofana, a former AS Douanes player, has helped with shared camaraderie.

“It’s definitely helped with our transition to Morocco. Mike is a great player. He is a great guy. He works hard. We hold each other accountable and push each other in practice,” said Zouzoua. “He is somebody I can trust. We have spent time with each other and are familiar with one another’s games.”

Nisre Zouzoua latest signing for FUS Rabat
Nisre Zouzoua feels Cote d’Ivoire can make a run the AfroBasket title this year.

Wearing their Ivorien jerseys, Zouzoua and Fofana could link up again later in the year with the national team. The rampant Elephants finished unbeaten during the AfroBasket qualifiers that ended last month and will compete in their 24th tournament. After losing to Tunisia in the 2021 AfroBasket final, Zouzoua feels this year’s tournament, in Angola (12-24 August), can be theirs for the taking.

“I have full faith we can go all the way. We have the team for it (AfroBasket) and coaches to get the job done,” said ZouZoua. “We have been there before and I feel we have a lot to prove. I feel if we can prepare well mentally and physically we can make strong push for the championship,” concluded Zouzoua.

Being in a potential winning situation for club and country is a dream for any player. That is where Zouzoua finds himself. Given his ambition, he will be keen to make the most of his opportunities with FUS and Cote d’Ivoire.

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Slimane defying father time as passion for playing keeps burning

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NOT many ballers in Africa embody what success looks like in basketball than Tunisia’s Sekka, officially known as Radhouane Slimane. Be it in the red vest of Tunisia or at the club level, Slimane, one of the greats of the African game has won it all, and at 44, is still going.

While many of his contemporaries have already hung up their sneakers and possibly sought out alternative careers, Slimane continues to defy the age narrative. So, what keeps him on the hardwood? Well, Slimane, who has shed many drops of sweat on many a court, gave a simple answer to his long-standing devotion to basketball.

“It’s for the love of the game, a love of the game. I am healthy and enjoying the game. I have sacrificed for this game and if I have more years to give, then I will give them,” said Slimane, speaking to The Big Tip Off.

Slimane’s longevity has brought positive yields for the clubs he has played for and the Tunisian national team. With the latter, the Carthage Eagles, he won three AfroBasket titles, and at the club level, he captured the Basketball Africa League (BAL) trophy with US Monastir. In the coming months, Slimane faces a hectic playing schedule, starting in April with the BAL and later the AfroBasket (August 12-24) in Angola. Both Monastir and Tunisia will cross their fingers that their maestro remains healthy for the two tournaments.

Radhouane Slimane of US Monastir
Radhouane Slimane believes the experience in US Monastir can take them far in this year’s BAL. Pictures: FIBA.

The nine-time Tunisia Championnat Pro A winner, Slimane and the Blue Empire will journey to Dakar, Senegal, for their Sahara Conference (26 April – 4 May) of the BAL to face AS Ville de Dakar, BAL champions Petro de Luanda of Angola and debutantes Kriol Star from Cape Verde.

Before speaking on Season 5 of the BAL, Slimane recalled Monastir’s maiden title win (against Petro) in the second instalment of the NBA-backed league in 2022. He explained that the loss to Zamalek in the inaugural BAL made them a tougher team.

“It was our revenge season. We had a great team, with several international players (in Season 1), but it was not a great final for us, and we lost,” said Slimane. “Season 2 was amazing for us, we deserved to win the title. We came back a tougher and more focused team. It was an incredible tournament for us. It was an unbelievable edition because all the teams came back stronger. I think every year, the BAL is becoming harder to win. So for us to win it was amazing.”

While Slimane did not explicitly say the aim is to go for the title this year, he believes they have the playing personnel to go the distance in the BAL.

“We are playing in the playoffs (of the domestic league) as I speak… It should prepare us well for the BAL. We have a good opportunity. We have a good roster. There is a good mix of local talent and import players. I believe we have the potential to go far in this season’s BAL,” said Slimane.

Experience will count in Monastir’s attempt to capture a second BAL trophy, and the additions of veteran players Mourad Al Mabrouk and Mokhtar Ghayeza bring together an unmatched basketball IQ.

Slimane concurred. “They have a lot of experience… You need that in big games. The young players are talented, but in difficult match situations, talent is not enough. You need smart players – Players with a good IQ,” said Slimane. “It’s not only about having quick feet, you also have to use your head.”

As Slimane leads the team on the court, Walid Zrida, recently hired as coach, will give instructions from the bench. The veteran player says the returning Zrida is a “child of the club”. He is also a coach the players are familiar with, which is a big plus for Monastir.

“We won two championships and two cups with him. So we know him and enjoyed success with him. We know how he wants us to play, and the team understands his philosophy. There is chemistry between us and him, which will make things easy. That is why he was hired (as coach) because he knows everything about Monastir. He is a child of the club,” said Slimane.

Focusing on this year’s AfroBasket, Slimane is one of the great sons of his country’s basketball and has already contributed to all three of Tunisia’s continental titles (2011, 2017 and 2021). Does he have another title run in him?

Slimane in action for Tunisia
Radhouane Slimane says defending the AfroBasket title will be tricky this year.

Having won back-to-back AfroBasket gold, Slimane, who helped Tunisia qualify for a 23rd tournament last month, took a pragmatic tone about talk of a threepeat.

“Staying at the top will be more difficult. We are in transition. It is not the same generation of players. Three players remain from the old generation – myself, (Makrem) Romdhane and Ghayeza,” said Slimane. “New players are coming in, but they lack experience. We have to be there to guide them… Maybe we will achieve something, but it will be difficult.”

The upcoming BAL and AfroBasket bring different challenges for Slimane, but being a seasoned campaigner, this is not new to him. You can expect his on-court wisdom to shine through in the two competitions. And you can expect him to give his all for as long as his mind and body allow him to.

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Mothiba ready step into bright lights and action of the BAL

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FRIDAY, 28 February, was a day of contrasting emotions for South African certified baller and legend Neo Mothiba. On that day, while looking forward to what he termed a grudge match against his former club Jozi Nuggets, the draw for the much anticipated Season 5 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) took place a few hours earlier.

Mothiba was probably feeling the anticipation too when the draw formalities had ended. His was the anticipation of taking another step towards finally getting a crack at the BAL.

As the reality playing in the BAL sinks in, Mothiba’s team MBB will travel to Kigali, Rwanda in two months to compete in the BAL’s Nile Conference (17-25 May) against home club APR, Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya and Kenya’s new giants, Nairobi City Thunder.

Speaking a day after the draw, Mothiba told The Big Tip Off that MBB’s ICSL (Inner City Super League) clash against the Nuggets is one of many matches that will prepare the wild card entrants to the BAL for potentially gruelling battles in the Nile Conference.

“What a time to be alive,” said Mothiba, a day after the 73-58 win over the Nuggets, a club he served with distinction as captain. “It was a grudge match… It was in preparation for the bigger picture of the BAL. We needed games like that. It was a close one.”

Neo Mothia in action for MBB
Neo Mothiba says MBB will be competitive in the Nile Conference. Pictures: FIBA

Turning to the BAL, Mothiba’s journey to getting there was arduous. As a player for the Nuggets, he experienced disappointment, first at the Road to BAL in 2019 and consecutive national championship losses (2021 and 2022) to the Cape Town Tigers. The veteran player for iTeam yase dladleni, as MBB is known, even began to wonder if the BAL was becoming a far-fetched dream.

“To tell you the truth, I thought the window had closed. It was one of those things where I thought this opportunity would never come,” said Mothiba. “On the flip side, I knew I had to stay working hard, so when the opportunity arrived, it found me ready.

“The fact that MBB made it is a dream come true. It’s also one of the things I have always wanted to do – play on the biggest stage. BAL is the biggest in Africa right now.”

Mothiba relishes the upcoming duels in May against APR, Al Ahli and City Thunder, and while he feels MBB is not highly favoured, they are not at all deterred by the opposition.

“It’s going to be tough. If it wasn’t, everybody would be doing it (playing in the BAL),” said Mothiba. “We are excited. Obviously, we are the underdogs, but we will give our best shot and see what happens.”

For Mothiba and his teammates to have a chance at being competitive at the BAL, incoming coach Sam Vincent will be the man drawing up the X’s and O’s that hopefully march the Blue Soldiers to the battlefield of success.

The former Tshwane Suns captain says the experienced Vincent, current coach of Beacon College in the United States, will bring the energy of college basketball to MBB’s play, something Mothiba seems to ascribe to.

“From having conversations with Coach Vincent, I think we are all on the same wavelength in terms of professionalism and the game plan,” said the former South Africa captain. “We want to play at a high tempo, be in guys’ faces, and he believes in that. I think once the guys understood his plans, they bought in. It was interesting to see the guys get into that competitive mode over the past three weeks. It’s like college basketball: high tempo, high pressure, good defence and execution on offence.”

Mothiba says Vincent, a former Nigeria Olympic team coach, has also worked on the players’ attitudes and approaches ahead of the tournament.

“Most important is our psyche… He has been working on our mindset and reminding us that we are a professional setup, which means everyone has to take care of their body and ensure they are ready. When we go out there and compete, teams should beat us with special stuff and not things you can control,” said Mothiba.

Neo Mothiba
Neo Mothiba has pushed the ethos of hard work in the MBB camp.

If anyone is well-versed in continental competition and its challenges, it’s Mothiba. Having five AfroBaskets under his belt, his less experienced teammates will do well to pick his brain on what to expect at the BAL.

Aside from tapping into his knowledge well, Mothiba has been impressed with how MBB players have treated the pending mission with the seriousness it deserves.

“The message I have pushed is hard work. You can be the most skilled player ever, but if you are not going to work hard, all that can come to nothing. Luckily, the guys know my resumé, and if I tell them something, they’ll likely encounter it down the road,” said Mothiba. “What has been interesting to watch is the guys getting into it (training). On the team WhatsApp group, guys post their 5 am workouts, putting up shots during their breaks. These are the little sacrifices that build morale.

“When you know the guy next to you is working as hard as you are, it means something. The way we are doing things is unprecedented for a South African team. We are all professionals and that is how we are carrying ourselves.”

Mothiba’s long wait to play in the BAL has ended. Listening to him, he is ready to lace-up his sneakers against some of the best on the continent. As soon as the Nile Conference action tips off in May, one of South Africa’s finest and his teammates will look to make a splash in Kigali.

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Almeida shaping Kriol Star and CBL to be shining lights in Africa

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JOEL Almeida has entered a phase of his life and career where legacy has become paramount, and making a meaningful contribution to Cape Verde’s basketball ecosystem has become a part of that mission.

Almeida, 39, is an influential figure in Cape Verdean basketball, and he has used that virtue to effect change for the island’s youth.

In addressing the future needs of basketball in his country, Joel and his younger Ivan founded the now 10-year-old Kriol Star, a development foundation that evolved into a club just last year. Since then, it (Kriol Star) added another first for Cape Verde’s basketball reputation – qualifying for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Kriol Star's Joel Almeida
Joel Almeida says Kriol Star came to the Road to BAL in Kenya with a mature perspective. Pictures: FIBA

Another pioneering effort by Joel was starting the Cape Verde Basketball League (CBL), which began in 2023. These are significant milestones, but Almeida sees Kriol Star and the CBL as his way of contributing to the game’s growth and ensuring an outlet exists for talent to develop.

Speaking to the Big Tip Off, Almeida cited Cape Verde’s debut at the 2023 World Cup and Kriol Star’s qualification to the BAL as signs that he should invest more in his country of birth.

“I wouldn’t say they are milestones. It’s giving back to the country and setting up a legacy for the next generation,” said Almeida. There is a great amount of talent in Cape Verde and it needed a platform to showcase it.

“We are able to prove that we belong on the world stage by qualifying for the World Cup. We have also proven it at the club level with Kriol Star qualifying for the BAL. So that’s why it was important I implemented those two projects.”

Looking back at Kriol Star’s BAL qualification, a stroke of fortune would play its hand after they faltered in the preliminary phase of the Road to BAL Division West and finished winless in the group phase in Tripoli, Libya, last year.

Almeida felt the initial Road to BAL experience was a reality check for a club formed a few months before the qualifying tournament for Africa’s elite league.

“We learnt lessons… Tough ones. Kriol Star is a team that was formed in less than two months and went to compete,” said Almeida. “For us to be there was good. We didn’t have bad games, but the process of having experience and playing together counts a lot.”

 

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His focus turned to Kriol Star’s wild card entry to the Elite 16 Division East in Nairobi, Kenya, which led to its historic qualification to BAL Season 5.

“The second time around, we were like ‘Yes, this is our chance to prove what we are really about’ and to show that we belong on this stage,” said Almeida, a semi-finalist with Cape Verde in the 2021 AfroBasket. “We took this with a great sense of responsibility. There was also a sense of relief that we got a second chance.

“We fought tooth and nail to build the roster and to create the logistics to be there. All we had to do was go out there and proving it on the court and we did that.”

Having played in Season 2 of the BAL with Cameroon’s FAP, Almeida, who averaged 8.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 1.8 apg at the Road to BAL, described getting to qualify for the tournament with a club from his country as “special”.

“It feels special… So special. I am extremely proud of what we achieved. A club from Cape Verde has never competed at the Road to BAL. Last year was the first time. A club from Cape Verde has never qualified for the BAL. Last year was the first time it happened,” said Almeida. “I feel a sense of pride… To be part of this big stage in African club basketball and putting my country on the map. Great things are coming, but this is just the first step. We are hungry for more.”

Joel Almeida in action for Kriol Star
Joel Almeida feels proud of Kriol Star’s achievement in qualifying for the BAL.

The accomplished Almeida elaborated on his desire for more from CBL and Kriol Star.

“I see Kriol Star as a permanent participant in the BAL and achieving great success at the highest level. I want to see more growth for the CBL… To see it developing Cape Verdean talent and seeing more African talent in the league,” said Almeida. It can be a point of reference for Africa on what is possible when you invest resources, knuckle down and work. The CBL is something the African continent can duplicate to help elevate talent. I believe in it because I see Africa as the next frontier… Many entities come to the continent to extract talent. So why not have a platform where that talent can grow.”

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Chona holds off retirement talk for shot at BAL qualification

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CHONGO Chona pictured Season 5 of the Basketball Africa League (the BAL) as the stage where he would bid goodbye to his playing career, but it was not to be as the proverbial needle burst that bubble. 

Last year’s Road to BAL Elite 16 expedition in Nairobi, Kenya, was disappointing for Matero Magic and left 34-year-old Chona with a chip on his shoulder, which led to him doing a U-turn on retirement and vowing to make things right. Fortunately for Chona, the Tamanga Boys will have another run at the Road to BAL later in the year, after clinching a 12th domestic national championship.

Chongo Chona says teams always get better at the different stages of the Road to BAL. Pictures: FIBA

Chona, known as Stizzy in Zambian basketball circles, says consistency has been key to Matero’s success. They have also adapted after losing their bigs in previous seasons.

“It’s all about consistency and hard work… Never ever being complacent. Twelve titles are a lot, especially considering the past two seasons. We have lost some players in the last two years. Our centres Douglas (Kandulu) and Miles (Ndalama) got contracts after past Elite 16 competitions. We had challenges in the local league following the departures of those players,” said Chona. “… But getting the 12th title for Matero is an amazing feeling. A feeling of what hard work and consistency can achieve.”

The former UNZA Pacers player credited Manuel Silva, Matero’s coach in last year’s Road to BAL, for setting them up for success for the remainder of the domestic season. Chona says another ingredient that led to the championship was trust among teammates.

“We relied on each other (this season), especially given the challenges we faced with the playing personnel. Matero Magic has always been a dominant team in the post position in the league, but with the two bigs gone, we had to rely on each other more,” said the former Zambia international.

Chona expanded on what Angolan coach Silva left behind during his brief stay at the Tamanga Boys.

“I think Manuel Silva’s influence still impacted the team. He was with us from the Road to BAL first stage in Zimbabwe and the Elite 16 in Kenya,” said Chona. “I feel the knowledge he gave and being able to execute what he taught changed things for us. He elevated our game by introducing cardinal things like discipline, how to play better as a team, respecting the game and most importantly, enjoying it. So, those are the lessons we took, and they led us to this championship.

“He (Silva) may not have been there for the title run… But he was there in spirit. He is a good coach. I am glad I got a chance to work with him.”

 

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Recalling the Road to BAL, Chona believes teams always strive to improve at every stage of qualification which was not the case with the Zambian club. Matero finished the preliminary stages with an impressive 5-0 record but bowed out winless in the Elite 16.

“We have played Urunani and Oilers before, and the losses were close. When we played both teams last year, we lost by huge margins. It shows that every year is different in Road to BAL… Teams are always improving – it’s rare that they do not upgrade,” said Chona. So you can’t say we played Urunani last year and lost by nine. We almost had them. Complacency cannot be a factor at any level. Every game (in the Road to BAL) must be approached as a final.

“So complacency crept in because we looked at previous results, and we had an upgraded roster, so we thought things would be easy, but it wasn’t. We have to play like it is the last time we will play in these tournaments.”

Given Chona’s latter statement and how he imagined hanging up his sneakers not coming to pass, he feels he has enough in the tank to have another go at trying to help Matero qualify for the BAL.

“This was supposed to be my last season with Matero Magic and basketball. I wanted to take a different role, maybe in management, to see how I can continue impacting the game, not only for Matero and the country too,” said Chona. “After what happened at the Elite 16, a part of me says I am not done.

Chongo Chona did a U-Turn on his decision to retire after last year’s disappointing run at the Elite 16.

Chona says along with the physical toll the continental competition took, it also drained him emotionally and he questioned whether it was still worth it to continue playing.

“I didn’t have a good run in Kenya. I got injured in the first game against Urunani. It changed the tournament for me. I felt like I let down my club, teammates and country,” said Chona. “I felt like it was time for someone else to take the baton. So when we came back (from Kenya), I missed a couple of games in the season.

“I think I had to ask myself why I am playing. I also got messages from young kids telling me they were proud of the team for getting to that level. So I had to ask myself, ‘I know what I did to get my body right for this competition, am I willing to do it again and do it way better and at a higher level than last year?'”

Following the introspection Chona decided to make some changes to his game and reiterated that his career is far from done.

“Even when we got the (domestic) playoffs, I decided to take a different role… Everybody wants to score, but we can do other things like going for that rebound, making that stop or that extra dish to a teammate in a better position to score. So those are the things I tried, and things turned out great in the playoffs. So, as things stand, I want to give the BAL another go. Job not done,” concluded Chona.

It’s impressive to see Chona feeling more motivated and matching that motivation with the work needed to be successful. As Matero plot their qualification to the BAL, they will need players like Chona, who put the team first and can adapt to change when necessary.

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Phiri, Matero eyeing ZBF title to ease sting of Elite 16

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LAST year in October, Saul Phiri and his Matero Magic teammates looked unstoppable in the early stages of the Road To BAL – their unbeaten campaign in Zimbabwe held a lot of promise – it looked like they would be the first from Zambia to qualify for the Basketball Africa League.

Somehow, in Nairobi, Kenya, at the Elite 16 stage, the wheels came off for the Magic. The promise they had dimmed as they got bounced out of the Elite 16 without a win to their name.

Saul Phiri Matero Magic
Saul Phiri feels Matero belong in continental competition. Picture: FIBA

According to 28-year-old Phiri, a player no stranger to continental terrain, the Kenya experience quickly went south due to a lack of preparation.

“Being a guy who has been to this stage a couple of times, I feel I know what to expect and tried to prep everyone for how tough that next round will be. It’s the BAL before the BAL… At that stage, every team has a good chance of qualifying, and we had to put our best foot forward and give it all we have,” said Phiri, a former La Salle University player. “Our first game, I think a lot of people were shocked at the atmosphere and the stage we were on. It’s a big stage. We played a lot of good teams like the club from Burundi (Urunani). They came undefeated (from the preliminary stages). That’s what we want. We wanted to compete against the best, but it was a tough adjustment.”

 

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That Elite 16 nightmare is in the distant past. Tamanga Boys’ focus is on the ongoing three-match National Club Championship final, which will feature them and the army club Green Buffaloes. Matero already has the advantage with a 91-67 over their adversaries.

Before their Game One victory over the Buffaloes last Sunday, Phiri, who joined Matero in September, was impressed with his teammates’ performance in reaching the finals.

“I did come in a little late in the season, so the team held down the fort. I think before I arrived, we had lost only one (league) game, so my teammates had done an incredible job, and I feel I came into a great situation,” said Phiri. We dropped to more (league) games after the BAL qualifiers… There was fatigue when we came back (from Kenya), but we were still first (in the league), so we stayed positive.

“We have built momentum going into the finals, and we just have to keep it up so that we can go back to the BAL (qualifiers). We want avenge what happened at the Elite 16… It still stings because we could have played better. We are preparing for a war since we are playing the army guys… We will stick to our gameplan to get the job done.”

Phiri, who has roots in Zimbabwe and Zambia, has enjoyed playing in the Zambia Basketball League and the physicality. He has also felt at home with the Magic and the family atmosphere within the club.

“The thing I like about Zambian basketball is everyone here is tough. In the league, there are no pushovers. Players here play with pace. They will run up and down or play slow,” said Phiri.

Saul Piri Matero Magic
Saul Phiri says nerves got the best of some Matero players at last year’s Elite 16.

On Matero, he said: “It is the family aspect that I like about them, the support you get from management to the fans, everyone involved with Matero Magic feel like family. That is a big thing for me. Every time I come here I feel like I am at home. I am grateful for that.”

Phiri and Matero have two more games to secure a 12th ZBL title. For the forward especially, bringing home the trophy would be a show of gratitude to the club and its fans for making him part of the family.

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